Cardinals
| Name | Age | Level | P1 | P2 | Availability | Years | AFV | Salary | Surplus | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jose Ramirez | 31 | Majors | 3B | Very low | 5 | 191.4 | 105 | 86.4 | 69.1 | 86.4 | 103.7 |
Total Value:
86.4
Guardians
| Name | Age | Level | P1 | P2 | Availability | Years | AFV | Salary | Surplus | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nolan Gorman | 24 | Majors | DH | 3B | Low | 5 | 79 | 35.3 | 43.7 | 34.9 | 43.7 | 52.4 |
| Matthew Liberatore | 25 | Majors | LRP | SP | Low | 6 | 30.4 | 12.1 | 18.3 | 14.6 | 18.3 | 21.9 |
| Masyn Winn | 21 | Majors | SS | 6 | 33.8 | 5.8 | 28 | 22.4 | 28 | 33.6 |
Total Value:
90
How is Liberatore a "failed pitching prospect"? Obviously if a Ramirez trade were realistic you'd need a replacement for him and Gorman fits the description. Wynn is a high value player that could make all the arguments between Arias, Rocchio, Gimenez and Freeman pointless. No, Ramirez is not going to be dealt, but if he were this is a really good offer. You could get a 3rd team involved that would want Wynn and get something more suitable for him.
Liberatore has a career record of 5-8 with an ERA of 5.51. A team with a horrible 2023 rotation, paid Sonny Gray and two totally mediocre pitchers Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson rather than have Liberatore in their rotation. Winn just makes the middle infield backlog more crowded and lessens the value of them. Look to the Giants with JD Davis as an example when teams know they have to make a trade. Gorman is a good bat, but does not have Ramirez's complete game. If you want to take a step backward at third base and acquire more of the same, then you are going to do what you do. This also does little to address their needs now or in the future in my opinion. Thankfully, this is a mute point as Ramirez is not available.
He's 24 yrs old for crying out loud. He's has very good stuff and most SP don't peak until they're 27-28 yrs old. I mentioned getting a 3rd team involved for Winn. Use him to fill a need. Gorman's game is just fine. He was 22 when the 23 season started and posted a 117 OPS+ and clobbered 27 HR in a measly 406 AB. That's a helluva lot better than Ramirez did in his age 22 season and marginally better than he did in his age 23 season. Jose hit 11 HR in 565 bats his age 23 season. I'd pump the breaks on that BS. This reminds me of when I suggested trading JRam to the Braves for a package that included Riley. A bunch of people(you included if I'm not mistaken) poo pooed the idea. Now you couldn't get Riley with 3 JRams. Dealing for Gorman and using Winn to fill a need absolutely, beyond a doubt would address this team's biggest current needs, but like you said it's a moot point due to JRam's no trade clause. However, the idea is sound and that's what the conversation is based upon for me anyway.
Liberatore has recovered as a player... That being stated, this isn't a horrible trade but not exactly what Cleveland would want for JRam...
How has Liberatore recovered as a player? They signed mediocre players like Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson to not have Liberatore in their rotation.
4.28 FIP over the season at 23 years old... He also was actually really good from the Bullpen in 23... I have a hunch he will take a step forward in 24, hence why his value went up since they feel he will be better in 24 and actually find a role...