The Pirates and Guardians have connected in trades recently. Could they make a deal again this offseason?
To state the obvious – the Pirates traded the Guardians a pitcher who was then put on leave for
gambling. I don’t think this will be an impediment to future deals as it APPEARS Ortiz was connected to gambling through Emmanuel Clase, so far, and there’s no reason to believe Pittsburgh knew anything. You can read our article from yesterday on trade fits with the Marlins, but, today, lets eye the Steel City.
Trade One: Guardians trade Kahlil Watson, LHH OF and Logan Allen, LHP for Oneil Cruz, LHH CF, 27 years old (under team control through 2028) – 86 wRC+ but a .333 xwOBA
Analysis: Cruz has only a 54 wRC+ against lefties and a 117 wRC+ against RHP for his career. He would, thus, only increase the fleet of left-handed hitters the Guardians have, but, for what it’s worth, his 60 career homers would likely be 62 if he played in Progressive Field. Defensively, he had over 1,000 innings in center with -14 Defensive Runs Saved and 0 Outs Above Average. I don’t know quite what to make of that except that he can be expected to make all the outs an average centerfielder would make but won’t be a difference maker in the field. I don’t really want to make this trade, but I do think Cruz will probably be at least a 2-win player in centerfield and this would allow the Guardians to leave Chase DeLauter in right field which might be worth it in and of itself. And, the Guardians may be able to maximize Cruz defensively and on the bases, if not as a hitter. The Pirates get a player who may already be Cruz’s equal and a proven, left-handed back-of-the-rotation starter.
Trade Two: Guardians trade Juan Brito, IF/OF for Carmen Mlodzinski, RHrP, 27 years old (under team control through 2029)
Analysis: As a reliever last year, Mlodzinski had a 2.64 FIP with a 9.48/1.97 K/BB%. His ratings by Stuff+ are amazing (117 rated sinker, 117 rated split, 107 rated slider and a 104 rated curveball. The big question might be if Cleveland could turn Mlodzinski into an effective starter, but, as it is, having thrown 99 innings last year, he would seem set to be a big upgrade from Jakob Junis or Koby Allard in the role of a pitcher who can throw two-three innings when needed or pitch in high leverage. Mlodzinski is young enough and exciting enough I think it would take a value like Brito who could start for Pittsburgh at second base or spell in the corner outfield spots.
Trade Three: Guardians trade Franco Aleman, RHP and Johnathan Rodriguez, RHH OF for Dennis Santana, RHrP, 30 years old (under team control through 2026), 2.18 ERA (3.21 FIP), 7.68/2.18 K/BB%, 16 of 19 in save chances
Analysis: As a comparison, Cade Smith throws at an arm angle of 37 degrees. Mlodzinski throws at a 29-30 degree angle and Santana at 32 degrees. So, both offer a useful change in approach to opposing pitchers. Santana has the late game experience that the Guardians seemingly valued when they acquired Paul Sewald last year and an excellent slider to use as an out-pitch. Here, the Pirates get an interesting relief prospect and Rodriguez whom they can give full-time DH at-bats for a while if they want to, or use as a right-handed bench bat to mash lefites.
I am not sure how likely any of these trades are but they certainly show how there are paths to improve the Guardians’ roster even without spending much money or even touching free agency.
