Re-grading Guardians' 2020 trade with Padres that has turned into huge win

While former Guardians starter Mike Clevinger recently signed a minor league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates, it's clear that the man nicknamed ‘Sunshine’ is approaching the end of his career.

And, with that signing moving Clevinger back into the MLB zeitgeist, we figured there was no better time to look back at the Guardians' trade that sent Clevinger out to San Diego.

Re-grading the Guardians' trade of Mike Celvinger to the Padres nearly six years later

Trade details

Padres receive: RHP Mike Clevinger, OF Greg Allen and RHP Matt Waldron
Guardians receive: 1B/OF Josh Naylor, LHP Joey Cantillo, INF Gabriel Arias, INF Owen Miller, C Austin Hegdes and RHP Cal Quantrill 

San Diego Padres

While it may be hard to remember right now, but Clevinger was quietly dominant during his time with Cleveland.

In total, the righty posted a 3.20 ERA with 583 strikeouts in 523 innings. Clevinger had a strong start to the truncated 2020 season, but things quickly went sour.

That August, Clevinger and fellow starting pitcher Zach Plesac broke COVID-19 protocols during a team road trip in Chicago, and both were sent home once the team found out.

Clevinger only made one more start for the Guardians before being traded to the Padres at that year's trade deadline.

The right handers time as a Padre was marred with injuries, as Clevinger underwent Tommy John surgery following the 2020 season and missed the entire 2021 season. 

Clevinger returned to the mound for the Padres in 2022, but was never able to find the success he'd had prior to undergoing surgery. Clevinger ended up posting a 4.12 ERA with 110 strikeouts in 133 1/3 innings with the Padres.

After three subpar seasons with the Chicago White Sox (2023-25), Clevinger signed that aformentioned deal with the Pirates.

On the other hand, Allen was a speedy outfielder who saw big league time in three seasons with Cleveland, but never could hit enough to lock down a roster spot.

Allen played one game for the Padres in 2020 following the trade and went 0-1 with two walks, a hit by pitch and a one run scored. He was optioned to the alternate training site following the game, and was traded to the Yankees after the season. 

He saw some big league action with the Orioles last season, but went hitless in 14 at-bats. He's currently a free agent.

The Padres acquired Waldron as the player to be named later in the deal, and he quietly ended up becoming the best part of the deal. The knuckleball-throwing righty had a 4.91 ERA in 146 2/3 innings with the Padres in 2024, but could be on the outside of their roster bubble this spring.

Padres’ Grade: D+

The Padres gave up a king's ransom for two pitchers who didn't provide much and and an outfielder who appeared in one game for them. Clevinger’s injury was unfortunate and unexpected, but that doesn't change the fact this is a disappointing deal.

Waldron’s 2024 season is the only thing keeping this from being an 'F'.

Cleveland Guardians

Naylor quickly became the biggest name in this deal thanks to a monster Wild Card Series in 2020 that showed off his intense play style.

His career was slightly derailed in 2021 when he suffered a gruesome leg injury, but he rebounded in 2022 and cemented himself as the team's everyday first baseman.

The Guardians flipped him to Arizona last year in exchange for Slade Cecconi and a competitive balance draft pick that turned into RHP Will Hynes.

The Diamondbacks traded Naylor to the Mariners at last year's trade deadline and he re-signed with Seattle this offseason.

Naylor slashed .264/.324/.450 with 75 home runs and a .774 OPS during his time in Cleveland while accumulating 5.4 bWAR. 

Quantrill ended up becoming another solid piece, as he had a 3.58 ERA with 320 strikeouts during his four-year tenure with the Guardians.

The Guardians traded him to the Rockies after the 2023 season. He's currently on a minor league deal with the Rangers.

Miller served as a utility infielder for the Guardians in 2021-22, and struggled to produce at the MLB level. The Guardians traded him to the Brewers after the 2022 season, and he hasn't done much at the big league level since leaving Cleveland.

Hedges, Cantillo, and Arias remain with the Guardians for the 2026 season. 

Arias made his big league debut in 2022, but has struggled to find consistency for the Guardians. While he's strong defender with a cannon of an arm, his bat leaves much to be desired. 

His approach at the plate is what causes issues, though he's shown enough flashes that the Guardians keep deciding to roll the dice on him. He could be the Guardians' Opening Day shortstop or second baseman in 2026.

Hedges has been a mainstay for the Guardians clubhouse thanks to the energy he brings and his strong defensive acumen.

Cantillio is a crafty lefty who is expected to receive his first real extended look as a starting pitcher for the Guardians in 2026. He has pitched to a 3.21 ERA in 95 1/3 innings across the last season seasons. He's a potential breakout candidate for the Guardians in 2026. 

Guardians’ Grade: A+ 

Clevinger became an expendable asset thanks to his severed relationship with the Guardians, and Cleveland flipped him for six players all of whom have contributed some to the major league team. 

The abundance of talent acquired have made this a major win for the Guardians. Not only do they continue to reap the benefits of this trade in 2026, but it could still end up helping them for years to come as well.