The Diamondbacks are rumored to be interested in trading hitters for pitching – is there a match with the Guardians’ pitching factory?
Rumors are out that Arizona (despite their front office’s public statements)
are open to trading Ketel Marte, and also exploring trading top prospects Jordan Lawler or Ryan Waldschmidt in an effort to improve their pitching. With that in mind, let’s examine if the Guardians could temp the Diamondbacks to acquire on of those three players, and if it’s a wise idea or not.
Trade One: Diamondbacks trade Jordan Lawlar, RHH IF/OF, 23 years old, to the Guardians for Parker Messick, LHP
Analysis: Lawlar has a lot of prospect pedigree, listed as the #14 prospect in MLB by FanGraphs at the beginning of the 2025 season. In the minors, Lawler had a 125 wRC+ and a 22.8/12.1 K/BB%. Unfortunately, Lawler has a 34 wRC+ and a 34/7 K/BB% in just over 100 plate appearances in the big leagues so far. He is being asked to learn centerfield in the Dominican Republic, perhaps because he hasn’t looked good by the numbers at second base, shortstop or third base in short time in the bigs. BUT he is only 23 years old and MAY be good. I think the Diamondbacks might swap him for Messick, straight up, but it might require a secondary piece depending on how the industry views Lawler. Is this a wise move? I don’t think so. But, there is a good chance Lawler is an above-average everyday player and someone who can probably (despite the poor numbers so far) hang at shortstop or centerfield.
Trade Two: Diamondbacks trade Ryan Waldschmidt, RHH OF, 23 years old, for Tanner Bibee, RHP
Analysis: It would likely be a pretty bad idea to trade Tanner Bibee, or any pitcher, really, but if the Guardians want to take a swing at improving their hitting significantly, they may have to deal from their supply of pitchers. Waldschmidt is ranked as the Diamondbacks’ current top prospect. Finishing at Double-A, Waldschmidt had a 143 wRC+ with a 17.6/16 K/BB% in the minors last year, and seems capable of playing a decent centerfield. This trade is ONLY possible if the Diamondbacks see Bibee as something more similar to what he was in 2024. But, again, it makes my stomach sick to think about this, but we need to understand what it costs to legitimately upgrade the lineup with controllable talent.
Trade Three: Diamondbacks trade Ketel Marte, SH 2B, 32 years old to the Guardians for Travis Bazzana, 2B, Joey Cantillo, LHP, and Josh Hartle, LHP.
Analysis: We wrote about a potential Marte trade here. He’s a perennial all-star and one of the best options to hit second in a lineup in MLB. If the Diamondbacks would want more than this for Marte, it’s time to hang up. I have been told, multiple times by commenters, that the Guardians will not trade Bazzana, and I would tend to agree. But, the fact remains that Bazzana remains the kind of asset that makes a Marte trade possible for a team like the Guardians… if both teams are interested. I don’t think the Guardians will do this, as Bazzana could be Marte-like in a year or two, but it is an idea worth pondering.
Because the Diamondbacks have been open about their pursuit of pitching, a potential fit with the Guardians seems possible. I don’t know if any of these three popularly rumored options will be moved, but any of the three seem like players Cleveland would love. The question is if they would pay the price to acquire any of them.
