Orioles & Guardians
Submitted by: GSon
Orioles
| Name | Age | Level | P1 | P2 | Availability | Years | AFV | Salary | Surplus | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emmanuel Clase | 26 | Majors | RP | Low | 5 | 85.6 | 34.2 | 51.4 | 41.1 | 51.4 | 61.6 | |
| Myles Straw | 29 | Majors | CF | Low | 3 | 9.2 | 20.5 | -11.2 | -13.5 | -11.2 | -9 |
Total Value:
40.2
Guardians
| Name | Age | Level | P1 | P2 | Availability | Years | AFV | Salary | Surplus | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Mountcastle | 27 | Majors | 1B | OF | Low | 3 | 35.6 | 21 | 14.6 | 11.7 | 14.6 | 17.6 |
| Colton Cowser | 23 | Majors | OF | 6 | 21.3 | 3.9 | 17.4 | 13.9 | 17.4 | 20.9 | ||
| Connor Norby | 23 | Minors | 2B | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 6.4 | 8 | 9.6 |
Total Value:
40
Comments
17
How does Mountcastle fit in when we have Manzardo and Naylor and he's is also 1B... I don't mind this group, but he just doesn't work for me...
Nothing works for you.. A RHH that can play OF and 1B doesn't fit ?? smh..
I like your line of thinking GSon. My only question is does Cleveland need all 3 or would it be a good idea to get one of those guys and a SP? Probably have to get a 3rd team involved which always complicates things.
If we can go Cowser, Norby and swap Mountcastle for a solid SP prospect about the same value... Then it does start to make sense to me... I just can't see us having Mountcastle with Naylor and Manzardo since that defense at 1B would be legit and the OF would end up being bad defensively... ps. Cleveland wouldn't add Straw to a deal like this, that's for sure unless they got like Hudson Haskins back...
I know you don't want to hear it, but that doesn't make it less true. You cannot rule out Naylor getting some OF reps. Only a few fans believe he "shouldn't" play the OF again and for no reason other than he was injured. They don't complain when he's playing 1B everyday or running the bases as aggressively as he does. Thing is, he was a decent RFer defensively speaking. So, if they were to acquire Mountcastle then it could work. The problem is Mountcastle isn't a good OFer and the only position in the grass he can play is LF and that is currently occupied by everyone's favorite slap hitter Kwan. Of the 3 in this deal going to Cleveland, Mountcastle is the most logical choice.
Fangraphs and baseball reference both rate his 21 RF as pretty bad... He's not a good OF... I have no qualms with Mountcastle as a player at all, I don't trust him and Naylor in the OF, that's for sure especially if Straw will be on the bench...
If straw is on Baltimore's bench.. who really gives a flying flip? Do you even read the deals before expressing your negativity?
Cleveland isn't going to put in Straw and cause us to get way less for Clase... Plus the dude is still a positive bWAR player even though he couldn't hit well... Straw will not be included in this type of deal... They aren't lowering the return for Clase to trade Straw...
One of the three can be packaged for a subsequent deal.. that is true enough.. The deal stands on its own as is.. Mountcastle can flat out swat and is a better OF'er than Spongebob.. You can't underestimate the joy at the loss of Straw from the Guardians in this scenario..
This deal would provide offensive pop now in 2024 and the in the future. That part of the deal I support. I do have concerns about the logjam this would provide as I don't see Mountcastle as an outfielder anymore. He hasn't played outfield since 2021 and then he only started 18 games that season and was poor defensively. As far as Josh Naylor in the outfield goes, I would have to the following conditions cleared up for me. First, I would want medical clearance that he is fine for the outfield play. Second, I would want Josh comfortable with OF play and willing to go back. Third, he would likely then be a full-time outfielder. Will he hit as well as a full-time fielder? Many things to think about. I do agree with SportsCoach that Cleveland would like to receive a pitcher in any Clase trade. This likely would not be the final deal, but I do see a deal between the two teams as doable.
They already discussed Naylor playing the OF again publicly TA and Josh is all for it. He has been cleared medically speaking. I agree though that there are conditions and the biggest one for me would be his physical conditioning. Did he come to camp slimmer and in better shape? If so, then he is more than capable of playing OF. If not then he has no business in the grass. I also agree that a Clase trade has to have a SP coming back unless you can get a good one dealing Kwan.
For what it is worth, I have not heard, read, or seen anything about Josh Naylor playing in the outfield in 2024 hence my concern.
BigBat mentioned a 3 team trade, and it does get messy. To solve the 3 first baseman issue then trade Naylor. Naylor is better than Mountcastle (MC), but MC rakes LHP, which will help. Norby stays to eventually play LF, Cowser flipped to San Diego with Naylor (30.5 value). SD sends Thorpe and Iriarte (29.1 value) to Cleveland. Helps Cleveland and San Diego, but I don’t think Baltimore wants Clase, and definitely won’t want Straw (at least for those players). Just tossing something out there.
Naylor won't be traded... They wouldn't have signed Hedges if they were willing to trade Naylor... Naylor is one of the main roster guys, I give it a good 80%+ he is extended... No, the deal would be Mountcastle being dealt to the 3rd team for an SP prospect... So it could be the Cubs... Like Mountcastle for Brown plus prospects like Canario, Aliendo... Not exactly perfect, but it would be Clase and Straw for Cowser, Norby, Brown, Canario, Aliendo... That's starting to make more sense to me!
You lost me Mrvics by trading two hitters back for more pitching. This team needs offense. Trade one for a pitcher ok but trading two negates the best part of the trade in my opinion.
The revised trade I proposed comes down to Clase, Straw, and Naylor for Mountcastle, Norby, Thorpe and Iriarte. As mentioned Baltimore doesn’t want Clase, let alone Straw so not a good matchup. I’m all in on trading Clase. My opinion is sell high on relief pitchers and closers. Straw, a bucket of balls will do in return. Naylor is a tough one. Great hitter, heart of the team. Did anyone else find it odd that Civale was traded for a left handed first baseman? I love Manzardo, but why get something you already have, especially when neither can do anything but play first and DH (let’s be honest)? So that means to me Naylor is not being extended. Do you ride it out with him, or trade him when his value is still high? As painful as it might be you trade him. He’s never played more than 122 games, his body type doesn’t age well so he’s a potential injury risk. The Guardians don’t need Mountcastle, but if this trade happened he becomes primarily a DH, maybe playing first against LH starters. Norby goes to left, Kwan to center. Right field is a tryout between Florial, Brennan, Valera, and Rodriguez. It will be DeLauter’s job eventually anyway. Overall the offense gets a bit of an upgrade. Why add pitching? The organization’s depth is really poor. Not good at all. Bieber is gone either via trade or eventually FA, McKenzie is damaged. At minimum a 4 and 5 needs to be acquired. Thorpe could be a TOR guy, ready late this year or 2025. Iriarte likely 2026. The team is not flush with pitching. If they did ever trade Clase and Naylor I think pitchers are just as much a priority as hitters.
NEWSLETTER? SURE, SIGN ME UP!
Mountcastle sucks as an OF... That's not an opinion, but a literal fact... Yes I would like his bat, but we have Naylor and Manzardo then adding Mountcastle... None can play the OF anymore and if they do, they aren't good out there... I have no qualms with the bat at all, but they just don't have a spot for him...