The Cleveland Guardians are one of MLB’s premier organizations when it comes to finding, identifying, and developing young talent.
This is particularly true when it comes to pitchers.
However, the team hasn’t had too much luck (or skill?) in spotting impact position players, and those who have potential end up being traded away.
A perfect proof of this is MLB’s All-Rookie Team.
“#Guardians come in with three…. Unfortunately, two were traded to another team. Tanner Bibee – Guardians, Yainer Diaz – Astros, Nolan Jones – Rockies,” Guardians Prospective tweeted.
#Guardians come in with three…. Unfortunately, two were traded to another team.
Tanner Bibee – Guardians
Yainer Diaz – Astros
Nolan Jones – Rockies https://t.co/KGblYMAU1W— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) October 18, 2023
Bibee was an amazing find for the Guards this year.
The exciting rookie finished with a 10-4 record and a 2.98 ERA in 142 innings.
He also struck out 141 hitters, almost one per frame, and cemented his place as the future in Cleveland’s rotation.
The team fielded a punchless offense all year, though, and it’s sad to think about two of the prospects they traded recently, catcher Yainer Diaz and infielder-turned-outfielder Nolan Jones.
Jones completed a 20-20 season in just 106 games, with a .931 OPS.
On the other hand, Diaz is now the Houston Astros’ long-term answer at catcher, a problematic position for the Guardians before Bo Naylor broke through.
Diaz slugged 23 homers and had an .846 OPS in 104 games with the Astros.
The Rockies acquired Jones from Cleveland in exchange for infield prospect Juan Brito; while the Astros only had to surrender Myles Straw to acquire Phil Maton and Diaz.
Straw is a phenomenal fielder, but has been an offensive liability for the Guardians.
We are guessing Cleveland would love to have Jones and Diaz on their current roster.
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