Guardians Survive v. Tigers, Identifying Other Trade Needs, How/Who to Buy Down to 36 in MLB Draft

The Guardians hung on for a win over the Tigers after having a big early lead. Today's episode discusses the decision not to pull Ben Lively after a line drive hit his leg, and what other needs are being identified every game that the Guardians should address at the deadline.
We also discuss how teams are able to 'buy' players down the board in the draft and how that all works, as it's something Cleveland is looking to do in the 2024 MLB Draft.
And on that note, we also talk about some of the players that would be in the conversation at the 36/48 picks with that extra money.
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#guardians #ClevelandGuardians #MLB

[@ChrisCrossAplsauce]

Nothing better than waking up to the Locked On guys arguing! 😅 Let’s GOOOO!!

[@LockedonGuardians]

It doesnt happen often

[@gonolz]

thanks for the draft info, since I hardly pay attention to it! Angel Martinez: 2 strikeouts and 8 walks in 26 at bats, thats a great start!

[@LockedonGuardians]

Good stuff

[@scotthauser5341]

I love that this got a little spicy between the two of you.

[@LockedonGuardians]

Its the rare thing to see

[@dennisquigney3809]

I like the idea of acquiring a reliver. I like AJ Puk quite a bit. He reminds me of Andrew Miller in many ways. He gives you a giant lefty that can come in and pitch 2 innings at a time out of the bullpen. His price tag is modest. He is on a team looking to offload players. He has an option remaining. He has 2 years remaining of arbitration after this year. He has not given up a run in 9 straight appearances. What kind of package gets that done? I'd like to send Valera and a younger player or two.

[@LockedonGuardians]

They already have 2 lefties right now and Puk is struggling, Valera being hurt again means there is no value there

[@jonturner4500]

I agree with Justin on this argument. The Blue Jays are 9 games under .500 I don't think they are thinking about the playoffs. A week before the deadline there will be plenty of sellers

[@LockedonGuardians]

just hard if a job is on the line

[@Thomer612]

I always catch the stream half way through but I go back and listen to the podcast to catch up. Loving the draft talk and learning about the whole buying down process. I’d like to see Bazzana but I like hearing other’s opinions as well. Go Guardians!

[@LockedonGuardians]

thanks for the kind words and that image with your name is fantastic

[@jffagan]

Great show, gentlemen! GET THE RING at all cost!

[@LockedonGuardians]

That's the plan!

[@jaked6746]

The 10 year old in me is stoked to see Jose in the Derby. The current 29 year old in me is concerned he jacks up his swing or shoulders for the remainder of the season. Roll Tribe! Let’s not drop the division due to losses vs the Tigers & CWS again 😅

[@LockedonGuardians]

I am happy if people are happy its not for me but I am happy for everyone else

[@dbcollings5739]

I enjoyed watching Schneemann at shortstop. #FreeArias!

[@LockedonGuardians]

I prefer him in the OF

[@mutantmangoman]

I’m with Jeff on the bullpen topic. The bullpen is already really good. With this sellers’ market why overpay to improve the strength of the team? Especially when it’s bullpen, which affects the game to a lesser extent than starting pitchers and hitters. I think the team should consider every route to improving the roster that they can but I would be surprised if that’s bullpen.

[@LockedonGuardians]

@@mutantmangoman bullpens dominate the post season. Remember Cleveland's decimated rotation in 2016?

[@mutantmangoman]

@@LockedonGuardians bullpens are certainly more important in the postseason than the regular season, but an individual bullpen piece will still pitch fewer innings than the top 3 starters each will. The bullpen as it is is already built for the post season. Clase, Gaddis, and Smith make a great top 3 then you still have Sandlin, Hentges, and Herrin for additional innings. Allocating that prospect capital to acquire a better starter or bat than you would otherwise is a better way to go. Someone like Yates might not cost a ton, but I’d rather have Flaherty than Kikuchi and Yates for instance. I could possibly even imagine a scenario where the Guardians trade away a reliever. With all the talk of this sellers’ market leading to “baseball trades”, trading away from a strength to improve a weakness could be in the cards.

[@XiBeaux]

If we want to save money, we should take Konnor Griffin at #1. He's young for the class. He performed well with Team USA. He has 4 above average tools right now. He plays all the most important positions.

[@davidwindell]

I’m 100% with you. If you want to go under slot, then go get the guy who has the highest possible ceiling in the draft and then get guys at 36 and 48 who you can fast track to MLB. Nobody is talking about KG at 1.1 but they should be and I know the Guardians have him on their radar. Even if the Mississippi offensive stats are inflated, that just further validates that 0.46 ERA on the mound. KG is the one true two-way guy in this draft, not Jac. Plus I see KG as a true CF prospect on defense (when he’s not pitching).

[@stephenk5455]

I agree with this take. There’s no smoke that the guardians will make this decision which makes me believe more strongly it’s a possibility

[@XiBeaux]

@davidwindell Even if the hit tool never fully develops you have an elite defensive CF with enough pop for 30 hr and more than enough speed for 20-30 stolen bases. If he can do all that who cares if he only hits .240?

[@LockedonGuardians]

Just no, prep guys produce less and are bigger risks. And you never want to draft a guy high who has a hit question

[@XiBeaux]

@LockedonGuardians I'm pretty sure the last two ROY winners from both leagues were high school hitters and Corbin Carroll is the only one of the four that didn't have a hit question. But I'll take your word for it

[@michaelcurtis106]

You know, the more I hear about how the draft actually works, the more I think it's more of an auction than a draft. The MLB draft needs to be more like the NFL draft where there is a rookie salary cap and you can trade as many picks as you want.

[@LockedonGuardians]

You still have some advantages in terms of order as some guys care more about full slot than getting more money but yeah it is like that

[@davidwindell]

I’m sorry, but I’m firmly with Jeff when it comes to a rental reliever. Why would you ever give up anything for a RP when you’ve got arms like Andrew Walter, etc in the minors and you know there will be starters available in the playoffs to pitch relief like Cookie and Howard. No reason. If you’re gonna give prospects up at the deadline, get that 3rd starter like Ryan Feltner or someone, or grab that RF that you can plug in at the 5 spot. That’s what the focus should be and if you can get a relief arm in one of those deals as a kicker, that’s how you get your reliever.

[@LockedonGuardians]

Sadly the Rockies dont seem willing to play

[@davidvankirk7721]

My gut says the Guards are going to take 1/1 different than how they have done things typically. The value is the significance of having 1/1 (first time) and secondary is the money. They are going to get the best player that fits their model and has the best makeup to be more than an Allstar but has the high marks for all attributes that contributes to longevity and being a true leader in both team and league. Someone that you would consider offering a Milwaukee/Chourios type deal to be the next leader and face after Jose. Who’s that?

[@LockedonGuardians]

It is whoever they take 1:1 thats the prospect to make that type of deal with

[@LockedonGuardians]

and that dude its Travis Bazzana

[@stephenk5455]

If Vance Honeycutt is available at #36, would you take him? I’ll assume this is a scenario where we take someone like Chase Burns #1 and not Bazzana with intentions to play outfield. Are we excited about this possibility or is it scary and reminiscent of Bradley Zimmer? Also, would you guys rather Mike Sirota if both were available?

[@LockedonGuardians]

no, I would not take him at 48 or 36 he doesnt have zimmers contact skill

[@scottcecil5441]

All respect to jose but is anyone else a little disappointed that it’s him in the homerun derby again and not Naylor? I feel like naylor is the obvious candidate

[@LockedonGuardians]

Naylor would be a a lot of fun with his attitude

[@Bmess5]

Hey scotthauser5341, do you love that this got a little spicy between the two of them? 🤔

[@natew1639]

Great question.

[@LockedonGuardians]

I dont think he did and all comments help

[@dennisquigney3809]

If you don't think the Astros were cheating during that 2018 ALDS series, I have an ocean front property in Arizona to sell you.

[@LockedonGuardians]

you have a point there

[@abyz1467]

Martinez is the real deal.

[@LockedonGuardians]

hope so

[@jameskeene4412]

On the reliever question: don’t we have several relief options in the minors we could call up including Alex Clemmy? I’m not against acquiring a reliever, lengthening the bullpen is useful, but with Gaddis, Herrin, Hentges and Smith how much deeper do we need it to go? I will say if we get a reliever I’d rather have a pitcher who can add some innings. I don’t think we need another fireballer who only goes an inning

[@davidweber-wh2ft]

Clemmy is probably three years away at a minimum from debuting in Cleveland if he ultimately makes it.

[@jameskeene4412]

@@davidweber-wh2ft I may be miss remembering the prospect but isn’t there a guy we just drafted who’s been rocketing through the system?

[@Nick-jd5ge]

Clemmons not on 40 man roster and doesn't have to be for couple more years.

[@Nick-jd5ge]

Ym clemmy.

[@davidwindell]

Clemmey is WAY too far away to be called up this year.

[@mmurphy8324]

GET THE RING!! Sell these prospects get ballers and let’s get this ring this year!

[@LockedonGuardians]

They just dont have as much value

[@scotthauser5341]

I love that this got a little spicy between the two of you.

[@LockedonGuardians]

rare sight

[@scotthauser5341]

I love that this got a little spicy between the two of you.

[@LockedonGuardians]

always fun to see