Don't lose hope, Guardians fans - Cleveland will be active this offseason

Trade Scenario 1 to Acquire a Catcher: Gavin Williams and Tyler Freeman (TV: 41) to Toronto for Alejandro Kirk (TV: 39.3)

Toronto may want more immediate help in exchange for Kirk, but a highly valued pitching prospect and the former #1 ranked prospect in the organization could also be a big enough haul to change their minds.

Kirk would immediately provide the Guardians with a middle-of-the-lineup bat and respectable defensive metics. But most importantly, Kirk provides insurance in case Bo Naylor isn't ready for the bulk of the catching duties next year. Kirk could also fill in at DH, too. Not to mention Kirk fits the Guardians M.O. perfectly, walking 83 times and striking out 84 times in over 200 games. He also owns a respectable .278/.362/.426 career slash line.

Alternate Trade: Gavin Williams, Tyler Freeman, and Gabriel Aries (48.8) to Oakland for Sean Murphy (TV: 51.3)

The competition to land Murphy is going to be intense, which is one reason I would prioritize other catchers over him, but this isn't meant to be an indictment on Murphy. This particular three-player haul for the A's would likely fit their timetable perfectly, but could potentially limit the Guardians from swinging many other trades.

While Murphy is a bit older, he'll play the 2023 season at 28 years old. He does posess both defensive skills sought by the front office and an improved bat. In the past two seasons, Murphy has appeared in 267 games, averaging 49 extra-base hits (18 home runs), 62 RBI, and a .236/.321/.417 slash line.