With Taylor Ward headed to the Orioles last night, Baltimore is overstocked with outfielders. Could there be a fit for the Guardians to grab one from the Chesapeake Bay? Or, go a little north and snab
one from Fenway Park?
The Guardians continue to – seemingly – need outfield help and right-handed slugging help. Let’s look at a few potential fits in the AL East:
Trade One: Orioles trade Colton Cowser, LHH OF, 25 year-old (under team control for 6+ more years) to the Guardians for Parker Messick, LHP and Franco Aleman, RHP – The Orioles have too many outfielders, but the ones they want to get rid of – Leody Tavares and Tyler O’Neill – are not players I want the Guardians to touch. So, they need to see if they can pry Cowser away from the Orioles. Cowser has yet to really hit in the big leagues (99 wRC+ with a 33/9 K/BB%) but looks to be an average centerfielder defensively. I am sure Orioles fans will read this trade and want more, but, personally, I wouldn’t do much more than this. Maybe they could talk me into Juan Brito and Parker Messick?
Trade Two: Orioles trade Ryan Mountcastle, RHH 1B, 29 year-old (under team control through 2026) to the Guardians for Logan Allen, LHP and Rafe Schlesinger, LHP – My top interest on the Orioles remains Mountcastle, who may potentially be more available with the addition of another right-handed hitter to their team in Ward. Last year was a down year for Mountcastle with an 81 wRC+ but he still had a .325 xwOBA and for his career is a 107 wRC+ hitter (124/101 LHP/RHP). He’s also a good defender at first base.
Trade Three: Red Sox trade Jarren Duran, LHH CF, 29 year-old (under team control through 2028)to the Guardians for Slade Cecconi, RHP and C.J. Kayfus, LHP 1B – Finally, one Red Sox trade for the road. First of all, let me say I’m not a huge fan of Duran because of the invectives he has hurled at fans. But, should the Guardians pursue him, it seems that either Duran or Wilyer Abreu are being made available by Boston. So, consider this deal as a framework for Abreu, too, if you prefer (I’d prefer Abreu but think Duran will be the player the Red Sox ultimately deal). Duran is a solid centerfielder and has a career 113 wRC+ with a 24/7 K/BB%. This may seem like an overpay but you have to remember how difficult it is to find a proven, above-average hitter who can play a solid centerfield in today’s game. Maybe this is possible to do based around only Cecconi or only Kayfus with a lower level prospect included, but I suspect there is a bidding war that brings the cost higher, and I’ve reflected that here.
Out of all these trades, the Mountcastle deal interests me the most. That is surely why it won’t happen, but these are definitely some names to monitor over the next few weeks.
