Have trades helped the Guardians in playoff pursuit?
· Yahoo Sports
When a team makes a trade in sports, one doesn't really know how it's going to turn out.
Sure, fans react — or overreact, oftentimes — 30 seconds after a deal is made.
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It could take years before the impact of a trade is determined. For teams who are usually in contention for a division title/playoff appearance, the hope is that impact is sooner than later.
For those teams who are not in contention, it helps provide a glimpse of what the future may hold.
At the Major Baseball League trade deadline in early August, the Cleveland Guardians made a bevy of moves in pursuit of an American League Central Division title and playoff appearance.
A month in, how have the moves been received?
To recap, the Guardians acquired Jo Adell from the Angels, infielder Nathaniel Lowe from the Reds and pitchers Foster Griffin and Craig Yoho, from the Nationals and Brewers, respectively.
The most notable name moved was Bo Naylor, who spent four years with Cleveland, but was sent down to Triple A Columbus when the Guardians dealt for catcher Patrick Bailey earlier this season.
Teams like Cleveland usually are guarded (no pun intended) when it comes to dealing prospects. They typically get the first chance to move up when other established players get moved due to salary or other factors.
For example, Yandy Diaz spent time in Cleveland's organization.
The Guardians traded Diaz to Tampa Bay in the 2018 season which ultimately brought Carlos Santana back to Cleveland.
Since that time, Diaz has recorded 20 or more home runs and 75-plus RBIs three times. He's also a two-time all start.
Diaz's bat would look good in the Guardians lineup.
But Cleveland has who it has.
The trades haven't moved the needle as far as improvement in their record. The Guardians have hovered around .500 the last month.
The Adell trade has been the most impactful for the Guardians.
Entering Friday's games vs. the Tigers, he has clubbed four home runs with 21 RBI since joining the Guardians, including six in a recent 8-1 win over San Francisco.
Adell's a player who can take some pressure off Jose Ramirez in the middle of the order. Plus, he is an elite defender.
Lowe vs. Kyle Manzardo.
Essentially that was the trade at first base, although Manzardo has remained with the organization, getting sent to Triple A Columbus.
Overall, as of Friday, Lowe is batting .254 with 15 homers, 52 RBIs with a .453 slugging percentage and .768 OPS.
Meanwhile, Manzardo, in 312 at-bats with the Guardians, hit .213 with 13 home runs and 39 RBIs, to go with a .378 slugging percentage and .684 OPS.
Based on those numbers, Lowe is an upgrade at first base.
Griffin, a left-handed pitcher, has fit into the rotation nicely.
He had a rough Cleveland debut in a 13-6 loss to the Mets Aug. 6, allowing five earned runs in four innings.
In his next four starts, though, Griffin has pitched at least five innings, and yielded just six earned runs.
He was scheduled to play Friday's second game against the Tigers.
A definite win for Cleveland.
Yoho, a reliever, has appeared in 11 games for the Guardians.
As of Friday, he has given up 11 earned runs, and his ERA has jumped from 3.15 to 4.41 since joining the Guardians.
Moves, in any sport, are made to help a team win games and have a chance to play for championships.
But even with more analytics and film available, it comes down to what happens on the field.
It's still not an exact science.
Michael Greco can be reached at [email protected]