All-Stars Garrett Crochet, Kyle Tucker, Isaac Paredes, Devin Williams, Andres Gimenez, slugger Jake Burger and reliable starter Jeffrey Springs have recently been traded. A total of 28 baseball players changed teams, including 16 prospects.
Was it worth clubs giving up proven players for potential?
The biggest surprise probably was three-time Gold Glove winner Gimenez being dealt – until a glance at the bottom line. The 26-year-old was due to make a boatload in the coming years and that’s not how the Cleveland Guardians operate as pointed out by Forbes.com contributor Bernie Pleskoff.
The other veterans had been mentioned in previous trade talks. Forbes.com contributor Dan Schlossberg covered it from the Boston Red Sox perspective of adding one of the top arms in the game. Forbes.com contributor Phil Rogers pointed out that the four prospects received by the Chicago White Sox adds to the talent acquired in numerous deals that should bolster the South Side rebuild.
FORT MYERS, FL: Kyle Teel of the Boston Red Sox gets ready to take the field for the Spring Breakout … [+]
Catcher Kyle Teel, infielder Chase Meidroth, outfielder Braden Montgomery and right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez now are part of that process.
“I’m really excited to come in and help create a winning culture,” Teel said after the deal. Chicago had the worst record in the majors since 1899 this past summer and hope to put plenty of space from that 41-121 mark.
Let’s look at other prospects acquired.
Bye Gimenez By Cleveland
The Guardians sent the second baseman and reliever Nick Sandlin to the Toronto Blue Jays for infielder Spencer Horwitz and outfield prospect Nick Mitchell. Then they flipped Horwitz to the Pittsburgh Pirates for young right-hander Luis Ortiz and minor-league lefties Josh Hartle and Michael Kennedy.
Hartle, 21, is a big risk/reward. His fastball hits triple digits. His other pitches just get hit – so far. The third-round pick in July out of Wake Forest will be a major project for the Guardians’ pitching gurus who have found a way to churn out top-notch hurlers for years.
WINSTON SALEM, NC: Josh Hartle of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons pitches against the Clemson Tigers … [+]
Ortiz, 25, is barely removed from prospect status. He has a 12-13 record in 59 games including 34 starts over the past three years. The Guardians like his power fastball out of a smooth delivery coupled with a poised, commanding presence.
“Luis Ortiz will join our major league rotation, and we think there are a lot of reasons to be excited about what he brings to the organization,” Guardians President Chris Antonetti said. “We love the developmental path he was on last year. He went through some challenges initially at the major league level but emerged as a really consistent starting pitcher with really good stuff. We think there is a really bright future ahead of him.
“He has an above-average fastball. He throws a two-seamer, four-seamer, slider, a cutter, and has really power stuff. We think partnering him with our major league pitching team could help him continue to grow and develop into a really effective major league starting pitcher.”
Kennedy, 20, has an ordinary fastball, slider and change. A fourth-round pick in 2022 out of high school, his cerebral approach on the mound impressed Cleveland scouts.
Astros Tuckered Out?
Houston dealt Tucker and Paredes for young veteran right-hander Hayden Wesneski and third-base prospect Cam Smith. The Astros have made the postseason the past eight years and nine of the last 10 but are getting old. Wesneski can help the big-league staff try to get to the playoffs again while Smith develops.
JACKSONVILLE, FL: Cam Smith plays for the Florida State Seminoles against the Florida Gators 121 … [+]
The Cubs gave him a $5,070,700 signing bonus as the 14th pick in the first round in July. The former Florida State star seems on the fast track already, having hit .313 with 5 doubles, 4 triples and 7 homers in 32 minor-league games. His arm is rated his best tool and scouts like his approach at the plate.
“So, one thing about me is anything I hit is pretty much opposite field,” Smith told MLB.com. “Just straight opposite field, just to get that feel of staying inside the ball. Rarely will you see me pull the ball in BP.”
Yankees Bolster Bullpen
Williams went to New York for all-star lefty Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin. The Yankees improved their relief in an effort to return to the World Series. Milwaukee added two pieces they hope will get them there for the first time since 1982.
Cortes was a valuable swingman in New York and exceptional in his all-star season of 2022: a 12-4 record and 2.44 ERA. Durbin is an exciting talent that just seems perfect for the Brewers’ style of play.
The Brewers have made the playoffs in six of the last seven years but have won only one series and gone 7-14 overall. Durbin’s high-energy presence could change that. The 24-year-old brings plenty of speed and enthusiasm every game.
Burger Flipped To Rangers
The Miami Marlins moved the hard-hitting third baseman to the Texas Rangers for three prospects: infielders Max Acosta and Echedry Vargas and right-hander Brayan Mendoza. It makes the power-packed Rangers even more formidable.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ: Max Acosta of the Surprise Saguaros tries to steal third base against the Salt River … [+]
Acosta has been compared the Yankees infielder Gleybar Torres and the 21-year-old should make an impact by 2026. Signed for $1.65 million at age 16, he has a fine arm and good hand-eye coordination at bat. The knock on him is he just tries to make consistent contact without driving the ball hard. And that’s really a problem?
Vargas, 19, needs experience yet his power-speed mix eventually may make him the key player in this deal. Mendoza, 20, has an exceptional changeup, developing curve and throws strikes with his low 90s fastball.
Springs To The Athletics
Tampa Bay sent the left-hander and prospect Jacob Lopez to the Athletics for outfielder/first baseman Will Simpson and right-handers Joe Boyle and Jacob Watters. The Rays just keep replenishing hard throwers on the staff and did so by trading the soft-tossing yet wily Springs to do it.
OAKLAND: Joe Boyle of the Oakland Athletics against the Milwaukee Brewers at the Oakland Coliseum on … [+]
Boyle, 25, throws hard. Really hard. As in 102 mph hard. Where such pitches end up is anybody’s guess. He has walked a whopping 7.7 batters per nine innings in his career. He has also struck out 13.5 and allowed only 5.5 hits per nine innings, too.
Watters, 23, is bigger at 6-foot-4, does not throw quite as hard, but has plenty of walks and strikeouts, too. They are both projects who project as stars should they discover the strike zone.
Simpson, 23, has played 163 minor-league baseball games. He has hit .290 with 24 homers and 113 RBI. That’s an all-star season in the majors. He did it at single A. so let’s see.
