When I posted this deal, it was in response to another deal between the Phillies and the Guardians ( @Zanon49 ) It was in response to a Phightin Phillies forum story about Dave Dombrowski and the likelihood of making a deal that said the bullpen needed to be addressed. Zanon49's deal included Starlyn Caba.. a young powerless middle infielder with good wheels, fringy arm and very limited power.. You can find it with all the other Guardians trade suggestions that include the usual "aint gonna happen" comments by the same guys again and again.. sort of a broken record.. Anyway.. unpacking your comment some.. The reason for the Comp A pick inclusion wasn't as much for value as it is for fiscal sanity for the Guardians franchise. There are five long days between now and when the Bally's RSN/Diamond Sports debacle is alleged to be resolved. The bottom line: The Guardians are going to take a hit if Diamond Sports retains the rights or if MLB takes over.. This Comp A pick.. is a cost that won't bear fruit for three to four years.. Trading it for already paid for and defined ML talent would supplant this none-returning cost in the short term. IF there wasn't a fiscal squeeze, I agree, the Guardians shouldn't consider it.. Abel and McGarry command and control.. Abel should be or will be fine.. I do not share that concern w/ Abel. It's kind of a theory of mine.. an elbow injury is both the most likely to be resolved positively from a health/strength perspective as well as command and control. Shoulder injuries are dangerously unpredictable for both health/strength and EVER being able to regain command/control. Abel was able to show he was on the right track in both of these areas.. McGarry is a bigger/stronger version of "The Wild Thing".. He's got a five pitch repertoire that needs to be pared down to two with a show me third pitch.. (Fastball, obviously, combine the slider/cutter = slutter, and show me change up that has to be a weapon) McGarry is not going to be a starter.. he's an RP.. The two more OF'ers, one immediately and one in two years keeps the pipeline full.. Moving Straw to the Phillies would be a huge W for the Guardians and would give the Phillies two gold glove CF'ers to deploy late in games.. At least it's a theory that could work.. Thanks for the candid response...

Maybe Cleveland’s inactivity is all due to the Bally’s/Diamond Sports issue, but I have my doubts. It appears they want to go with what they’ve got. The Central, if it’s possible, appears to be getting worse. Twins are doing nothing as well. Detroit is trying, but they don’t scare me too much. The Royals are spending, but foolishly IMO, and I suspect because of the upcoming stadium vote. So, is the Central winnable? Sure, might only take 82 wins. Will it result in a World Championship? Of course not. Let’s say Cleveland made a trade now to improve the 2024 team, which would increase their chances from 0% to 5% to win a championship. What if they made a trade now to improve the 2025 team which would increase their chances from 0% to 10% to win that championship? I believe most competitive teams are unlikely to trade from their core pool of starting players because they of course want to win now. As an example, would Texas trade Carter or Jung for Clase? Doubtful. But I think they would move a good amount of very talented prospects. Carter and Jung would help Cleveland in 2024, but those guys are not available, but prospects who are available will help Cleveland in 2025 and beyond. So the reason I’m not all in for 2024 is I don’t believe (with the current roster) they can possibly win a championship. If they make moves now to boost their chances to win in 2025 or 2026 I just think that’s the most logical strategy. I respect trying to win in 2024, trust me, I don’t like losing, but I think there’s a bigger issue here than winning in 2024.