Guardians & Cubs
Submitted by: King Kwan
Guardians
| Name | Age | Level | P1 | P2 | Availability | Years | AFV | Salary | Surplus | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Canario | 23 | Majors | OF | 6 | 8.6 | 3.9 | 4.7 | 3.8 | 4.7 | 5.6 | ||
| Christopher Morel | 25 | Majors | UTIL | OF | Medium | 5 | 45.2 | 22 | 23.2 | 18.6 | 23.2 | 27.9 |
| Jordan Wicks | 23 | Majors | SP | 6 | 62.1 | 45.1 | 17 | 13.6 | 17 | 20.3 |
Total Value:
44.90
Cubs
| 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 |
Total Value:
51.4
Comments
15
Cleveland would want a little more back, but the base idea works...
No way in the world for Cubs. We’ve been over this same ground many times before. Undervalued young Cubs players for good, not great reliever. Maybe one of Wicks or Morel with Canario gets a deal done in the real world.
Lee Smith and Bruce Sutter were pretty good. Clase led the majors last year in blown saves. He’s not Superman. His greatness is the team friendly contract. And, yes, all 3 Cubs players are grossly undervalued, imo.
Clase also lead the league in saves for two straight seasons and is one of few pitchers who can get back to back 40 save seasons, all of this + the team friendly contract and you've got major value. I believe the Cubs would take this in a heartbeat if they are in win now mode but I can be wrong. Great value for both teams imo.
If Hoyer can wait out Boras on Bellinger, he can wait out Cleveland on this deal. Possibly do it if Guardians include Bieber, provided he’s back to health.
What you are forgetting is that Cleveland does not have to trade Clase. Wait all you want. Waiting won't change anything.
We should deal in reality here. This low end offer isn't going to get the Cubs one of the league's best closers freshly signed to a team friendly extension. Put the pipe down please. Brent Rooker provides, or comes close to providing what Morel does for a fraction of the cost.
I'm not sure why people keep bringing up Class "team friendly contract," when this deal would net them 3 players who are not arbitration eligible for a combined total of 10 years, more than the entire Clase contract, and then remain under team control after that. Brent Rooker? Who's smoking the pipe? And nobody has to trade anybody. I think we all understand that. Big thumbs down from the Cubbies on this one. If I'm Cleveland, I'm throwing in some Browns tickets on the deal.
But you brought up the team friendly contract? If I'm the Cubs here this is actually a steal based on the fact that Clase is literally the best closer in the league right now. He may or may not be valued higher in the future so I believe this deal would definitely get it done for the Cubs. For the Guards however, not sure whether or not the FO would accept this because the FO wants a huge bag for Clase and this trade that I put in only features players that I believe would get it done. All in all I think this is a solid trade because of these features.
KK. Very observant. I initially brought up Clase's "team friendly" contract because that is where most of his value lies, imo. He is a good reliever but not a standout any longer, but he is locked into a long term deal that underpays him by today's standards. Both you and BB "keep bringing up" the contract but ignore the fact that his performance suffered last year. My point is that if a low-end contract is what's important, then the Cubs have more to offer. So, you guys are highlighting my argument. If what is important is performance, then Alzolay is the better closer. His peripherals were better than Clase in 2023. Plus, he also only had 3 BSV versus 12. And he is under team control for 3 more years. So, yes his BTV evaluation at 15.6 sucks and, yes, Clase at 51.4, is way overvalued, imo. Unfortunately, these numbers play into the delusions of most Guardians fans. The only reason I like Clase is because he throws hard. So does Merryweather. So does Ryan Stanek, whom I wish the Cubs would sign. Maybe that would negate these ridiculous, lopsided deals for Clase.
Merryweather can't stay healthy. Here are their career stats. Azolay - entering his age 29 season 11-21 with 23 saves. 236.2 innings pitched to a 3.99 ERA. Clase - entering his age 26 season. 12-21 with 111 saves 238.1 innings pitched to a 2.00 ERA. It is very obvious who the better closer is. Even Benjo should be able to figure that out.
TA. Please stay focused on the present. Clase's ERA more than doubled last year. Fewer than 1 K per inning. Velocity dropped. Something's wrong with the guy. Same for your analysis of the situation.
NEWSLETTER? SURE, SIGN ME UP!
Bro said "good, not great reliever". Clase has probably done more than any reliever the Cubs have in their existence. Saying he's just a "good" reliever is a massive understatement and I feel that this trade would be a perfect way to show you.
Benjo, for you, every Cub is undervalued here. That is your reality. Morel's bat plays, but he loses significant value if he ends up a DH only which is his likely trajectory.
This wouldn't even get Clase from Cleveland... Plus Cleveland has him signed long term so Cleveland won't take a penny less than what they believe is the price for him... Cubs actually has the best chance of getting Clase, but I doubt the Cubs would match since it's Morel plus Horton is the start from Cleveland's end, with 1-2 more prospects added with those two...