3 Cleveland Guardians who could be traded this offseason

Zach Plesac Is the Most Likely Trade Candidate

At least one of Zach Plesac or Aaron Civale are almost sure to be dealt this offseason. The Guardians have several starting pitchers who have shot up through their minor-league system and are ready to contribute. While depth is always needed throughout the season, the Guardians have an embarrassment of riches. We will look further at some of these options in an upcoming prospect analysis, but we can safely expect Cleveland’s top prospect Daniel Espino to debut in 2023, as well as unheralded prospect Tanner Bibee, who is currently rated as Cleveland’s sixth-best prospect, and lefty Logan Allen, who struggled upon reaching Triple-A in 2022.

This is in addition to bigger roles for Konnor Pilkington and others who came up for Cleveland in 2022. The sheer amount of high-end pitching talent that the Guardians boast makes mid-rotation starters such as Plesac and Civale, with escalating salaries, expendable.

Both Plesac and Civale would be attractive trade pieces to any number of contenders who are looking to fill a mid-to-backend rotation spot without breaking the bank. A team like the Mets for example, who have proven to be good trade partners with Cleveland in recent years and are looking to rebuild a majority of their rotation on the fly while remaining competitive and saving money to pay their own big free agents. The Mets have exactly the type of prospects the Guardians have been able to get the most out of – imperfect prospects, close to major-league ready, but without a clear path to the big leagues with their current teams. A deal centered around shortstop Ronny Mauricio would seem to be a great fit for both teams.

Of the two, Plesac seems more likely to be dealt, although I wouldn’t put it past Cleveland to trade both while they have value, and before their price tag escalates through arbitration. Plesac seems to have worn out his welcome due to antics that rubbed teammates the wrong way during the 2020 season, and that was before he missed time in 2021 and 2022 with separate injuries stemming from temper tantrums. Civale, meanwhile, worked his way back from multiple injuries to contribute down the stretch and make the ALDS roster. Both would likely have more value to other organizations looking to shore up a rotation than as additional depth pieces in Cleveland.

Myles Straw is Expendable Despite Award-winning 2022

Straw’s value may never be higher, coming off a season in which he struggled offensively but ended up winning a Gold Glove Award. While the Guardians have ready-made replacements, many teams will see the value of adding a premier center fielder while hoping that his offense continues to improve in a move similar to what the Phillies did in adding Brandon Marsh at the trade deadline this year. Especially after seeing what improved defense did for the Phillies in fueling their run to the World Series, the Guardians would be wise to capitalize on a player like Straw at this time.

Meanwhile, Cleveland’s depth of prospects at nearly every position afford them the luxury of being able to be flexible in a return for Straw. They do not need to get a replacement for him back in any deal, because of their internal options. These include Will Brennan, who hit .314 with 40 doubles this year in the minor leagues, and made his presence felt in a short debut with the Guardians, hitting .357 with a home run and eight RBIs in 11 games. Brennan can play center or left field, giving the Guardians flexibility.

The Guardians #2 prospect George Valera will also likely join the Guardians’ crowded outfield picture in 2023. Valera will bring added power to a Guardians lineup that sorely lacked it last season. With the additions of Brennan and Valera, it will be difficult for Straw to find consistent playing time in Cleveland if he continues to struggle offensively.

Guardians Could Turn Amed Rosario’s Career Year Into Security for Future

Amed Rosario was a central piece to the trade that sent Francisco Lindor to the Mets in January of 2021. While he had a fine season in Cleveland in 2022, he too is about to get more expensive, and would be attractive for a number of teams looking for middle infield help. Rosario hit .283 with an OBP of just .312 in 2022, with both numbers exceeding his career averages. He added 11 home runs and 13 stolen bases. While he was a valuable part of a very good team last year, his production is by no means irreplaceable, and his salary is expected to increase by nearly $4 million in arbitration this offseason. Meanwhile, the Guardians will need to make room for at least one top middle infield prospect within the next year.

Brayan Rocchio, the Guardians’ #4 prospect according to MLB.com, is likely to debut in the major leagues next season. Similar to Myles Straw, Rocchio is a gifted defender, which could buy him patience to develop as a hitter at the big-league level. He projects to eventually hit for a high average with plus speed and has the range and arm to stick at shortstop. If Rocchio needs more time for development, the Guardians also have Gabriel Arias, a 22-year-old with experience at shortstop, third, and first, who made his major-league debut in 2022.

Also of note is 20-year-old middle infielder Angel Martinez, who shot up through the Cleveland system in 2022. After starting the season in A-ball, Martinez forced a promotion to Double-A Akron before playing in the Arizona Fall League, which is often used for evaluating top prospects, and frequently used as a stepping stone to higher competition in the upper minor leagues, or even MLB.