Cubs & Guardians
Submitted by: jgawel
Cubs
| Name | Age | Level | P1 | P2 | Availability | Years | AFV | Salary | Surplus | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Bieber | 29 | Majors | SP | Medium | 1 | 17.8 | 12.2 | 5.6 | 4.5 | 5.6 | 6.8 | |
| Jose Ramirez | 31 | Majors | 3B | Very low | 5 | 191.4 | 105 | 86.4 | 69.1 | 86.4 | 103.7 |
Total Value:
92
Guardians
| Name | Age | Level | P1 | P2 | Availability | Years | AFV | Salary | Surplus | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christopher Morel | 25 | Majors | UTIL | OF | Medium | 5 | 45.2 | 22 | 23.2 | 18.6 | 23.2 | 27.9 |
| Hayden Wesneski | 26 | Majors | SP | Low | 6 | 23.5 | 11.1 | 12.3 | 9.9 | 12.3 | 14.8 | |
| Pete Crow-Armstrong | 21 | Majors | CF | 6 | 66.9 | 10 | 56.8 | 45.5 | 56.8 | 68.2 | ||
| James Triantos | 20 | Minors | 3B | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13.3 | 10.7 | 13.3 | 16 | ||
| Jackson Ferris | 19 | Minors | SP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5.2 | 4.2 | 5.2 | 6.3 |
Total Value:
110.8
Comments
4Valuing Bieber more at the ~18 that a 3 WAR projection implies. This scenario would come into play if the Cubs re-sign Bellinger. PCA isn't a *perfect* Cleveland fit because he has some swing and miss to his game, but he provides them with speed, elite center field defense, and a decent barrel rate for six years. Morel also doesn't fit the traditional Cleveland mold, but he can move around and provide power for them. Triantos is much more in line with the kind of hitter Cleveland tends to develop, and could potentially be a long-term 3B for them. Wesneski gives Cleveland utility potentially out of the pen and in the rotation in 2024, and Ferris is an additional upside arm that the PD team can guide up the ladder. The utility for the Cubs is obvious. They have an outfield surplus, especially if they bring Bellinger back. They desperately need an anchor in their lineup and help at 3B as well as a starter.
You have been on this site long enough to know that Jose Ramirez has a no trade clause that he insisted on when signing his very team friendly deal. He is not available. It makes no sense for Cleveland to trade their affordable star and leader. Easy no for Cleveland
NEWSLETTER? SURE, SIGN ME UP!
So? No-trade clauses can be waived. Ramirez insisted on it so he could control his destination. And it absolutely makes sense to trade Ramirez if you get the right return back. He makes significant money and is 31. Cleveland could very well maximize his value by moving him before he shows signs of decline. It's not even like this trade sets them up for a rebuild. PCA, Morel, and Wesneski were all major leaguers last year. Triantos made it to Double-A.
Go back and read about his extension. Cleveland was talking trade with San Diego and Toronto about Ramirez. Jose told his agent, get a deal done. I want to stay in Cleveland. He then signed his very team friendly contract extension insisting on the no trade clause. This contract shows that money was not the driving force for him but staying in his comfort zone in Cleveland with the organization that gave him a chance when he was not highly sought after. The way to get players to waive a no trade is more money. That won't work for Jose. He is a Cleveland Guardian and will remain that way. When is it a good idea to trade your best player and team leader when you already have the youngest roster in MLB which Cleveland has had the past two seasons? You want Ramirez to anchor the Cubs to win a winnable division. Cleveland has Ramirez and he will anchor the Guardians who also play in a very winnable division. Ramirez is not available.