An Angels-Guardians Trade That Would Help Both Sides

The MLB trade deadline brings promises of a better future for every team. Regardless of record, you’re either trading for a win-now player who’s destined to be a hero down the stretch or a prospect who will surely pan out, right?

The Cleveland Guardians just so happen to be in win-now mode, and the Los Angeles Angels have some pieces they could desperately use.

Historically, Cleveland has functioned as one of MLB’s more polarizing organizations. Despite multiple team-friendly deals, the Guardians have been stuck in a recurring cycle: crawl into the playoffs, then lose to a true World Series contender.

They’ve already made a savvy, Cleveland-like deal, sending longtime catcher Bo Naylor and reliever Codi Heuer to the Milwaukee Brewers for pitcher Craig Yoho and outfielder Blake Perkins.

Conversely, the Angels remain quite possibly baseball’s biggest disappointment. With new leadership in John Mozeliak, Los Angeles has already begun its sell-off.

The first of what appears to be many trades sent former top prospects Logan O’Hoppe and Chase Silseth to the division-rival Texas Rangers for a single prospect. Next, it was trading team ace José Soriano to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Next up on the trade block: Jo Adell and Nolan Schanuel, who look like perfect fits for Cleveland.

Mozeliak has made it clear: the Angels are open for business — and it’s time for the Guardians to cash in. 

A Trade Where Both Sides Win

• CLE Receives: Nolan Schanuel (1B/DH), Jo Adell (OF)
• LAA Receives: Kyle Manzardo (1B/DH), Cooper Ingle (CLE No. 6, C/OF), Jaison Chourio (CLE No. 9, OF)

The Guardians receive the outfield help they’ve longed for in Adell, a battle-tested right-handed bat, along with a contact-oriented first baseman in Schanuel.

The Angels, who need to start from scratch, come away with much more than that.

Let’s dive into why both sides come out winners in this deal.

Why the Guardians Make This Deal

The Guardians, as previously mentioned, are on a frugal budget. Other than the illustrious contract extension of José Ramírez, one that likely still has opposing general managers salivating, Cleveland likes to protect its checkbook.

This past offseason, Rhys Hoskins was the big headliner, and although he’s been solid, at this stage of the veteran’s career, he looks better suited for a platoon role.

Enter Schanuel.

Splitting time between Schanuel and Hoskins at first base and designated hitter would not only make the Guardians’ lineup deeper, but also more balanced.

Right now, Cleveland wins one-run games with a tremendous bullpen and one of baseball’s most underrated rotations. Unfortunately, October demands run support — and that’s where the Guardians currently fall short.

Schanuel is having one of the best seasons of his career, posting a 108 OPS+ and 1.5 bWAR. Although his expected power metrics remain low, as they always have, his chippy approach fits the ‘Guard Ball’ style. Elite contact rates, rarely striking out, and pull-side power — that’s how they do it in Cleveland.

Schanuel won’t hit free agency until 2030, giving the Guardians a bit of a safety net in this deal thanks to his high floor and years of team control.

The real win in this deal for the Guardians, though, is Adell.

This season, he’s posted a .910 OPS against left-handed pitchers. The Guardians as a team rank 28th in OPS against southpaws and 24th in home runs.

Adding Adell to the mix would slide either Steven Kwan or Angel Martinez to center field. That would leave an outfield group of Kwan, Adell, Martinez, and rookie sensation Chase DeLauter, who happens to be a reverse-splits hitter and has crushed lefties all season.

Adell also has one more year of team control after this season, making him an even more appealing acquisition for Cleveland. The Guardians have never been shy about avoiding free agency.

The Guardians always have the pitching. Whether it’s a Cade Smith fastball that registers 98 mph but plays at 103 mph because of its extension, a Gavin Williams curveball that racks up alien-like RPM, or a reliever you’d never heard of entering with one on and one out in the seventh against your favorite team, only to strike out the next two hitters, Cleveland can twirl the pill.

They’re simply a few bats away from becoming a formidable force in October, and that’s exactly why they need Schanuel and Adell.

But what about the Angels? What makes this deal click for them?

Why the Angels Make This Deal

The Angels have little to no future beyond the pieces they’ve already been rumored to be shopping.

At one point, Orange County baseball was defined by José Soriano, Reid Detmers, Mike Trout, Zach Neto, Logan O’Hoppe, Nolan Schanuel, and Jo Adell. Most of them are already gone or appear to be well on their way out.

It’s time for an overhaul, and the best way to kickstart one is with prospect capital.

Heading into the season, the Angels’ farm system ranked near the bottom of the league. That’s a far cry from what they’ll need to restore a competitive culture to Arte Moreno’s Halos.

Chourio, younger brother of Brewers superstar Jackson Chourio, is young, projectable, and full of potential.

This year, between High-A and Double-A, he’s posted an .803 OPS as a 21-year-old. What makes him so projectable is his poise at the plate.

Even when Chourio struggles, he commands the zone and puts together quality at-bats. Pair that with his youth, explosiveness, and athleticism, and that’s the kind of prospect you buy into — especially when you have unlimited runway for development, like the Angels currently do.

This isn’t a quick-fix scenario where Los Angeles can make a few tweaks and start winning again. This will take years. Chourio will be playing with house money, and in that environment, he feels like less of a gamble.

Manzardo, who essentially replaces Schanuel in this deal, fits what the Angels need at first base. For as long as Schanuel has been in the majors, Los Angeles has tried to force him into the middle of the order. His offensive profile has never really fit that role.

Conversely, Manzardo at his best is your atypical run producer. This season, he’s been less effective, as strikeouts remain a significant concern for his future. Thankfully, he still barrels the baseball and draws walks. If you’re rebuilding, that’s something you can work with.

Finally, Ingle, who would be the key piece heading to Los Angeles, could debut as soon as this season.

With a 1.028 OPS at Triple-A this year, it’s surprising the Guardians haven’t called him up themselves. Los Angeles already parted ways with O’Hoppe and would gain not only a solution behind the plate for the remainder of this season, but potentially a foundational catcher for years to come.

Ingle owns an .890 career OPS in the minor leagues. Some scouts have concerns about his longevity behind the plate because of his thinner frame. Still, if you’re the Angels, that feels like a calculated risk on a player who has hit at every level of the minor leagues.

Too often, it feels like Los Angeles promotes from within without giving much thought to the process. Ingle has given whichever team he debuts with plenty of evidence to justify that opportunity. This feels like a match made in heaven.

Ingle gets to play. Chourio gets to play. Manzardo gets to play.

It sounds simple when you lay it out, but plenty of teams confuse objective value with subjective value when making a deal.

Prospects are great, but they don’t mean much to a team that isn’t trying to compete if they aren’t getting reps.

Closing Thoughts

The Guardians, sitting at 57-56, get a lefty killer and a first baseman of the future.

The Angels get pieces that will surely impact them over the next two seasons, as well as a replacement for their soon-to-be departing first baseman.

This deal feels like a perfect fit for both sides. It matches the timeline, price range, and temperament of each respective club.

It’s time for both these teams to step outside their comfort zones and make it happen.