The trade winds of baseball often bring unexpected gusts, and the tale of Aaron Civale and the Cleveland Guardians is a prime example. Back in 2023, the Guardians made a bold decision to send Civale to the Tampa Bay Rays for Kyle Manzardo. At the time, it might have seemed like a risky move, sparking some unrest in the Guardians’ clubhouse, as they were hovering close to a postseason berth. Fast forward two years, and that move is aging like a fine wine for Cleveland.
Civale’s journey since leaving Cleveland has been tumultuous. Following his stint with the Rays, he was dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers. Now, fresh reports from insiders Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon indicate that Civale is seeking yet another trade after the Brewers decided to transition him to the bullpen. His current situation sheds an even brighter light on the Guardians’ strategy from 2023.
With the Brewers, Civale recorded a respectable 3.53 ERA in 14 starts last season and has managed a 3.32 ERA over his last 19 innings despite an early hamstring strain this year. Yet, Milwaukee’s depth in pitching, bolstered by top prospect Jacob Misiorowski’s MLB debut, has left Civale on the outside looking in.
For Cleveland, acquiring Kyle Manzardo has been nothing short of a strategic victory. Amid some creative deployment, Manzardo has shown his potential, including a clutch home run in last year’s postseason, and stands tied for third in team RBIs with 31, signaling his growing importance to the team’s offensive lineup.
Meanwhile, Civale’s journey has turned into a saga of relocation. With the Brewers’ rotation already stacked with talent like Freddy Peralta and upcoming stars in Triple-A, Civale finds himself in a crowded room. Even with his solid numbers, his $8 million ticket could give pause to potential suitors, dampening the trade value since his intentions to move are out in the open.
The Cubs, Blue Jays, and Yankees are in dire need of bolstering their pitching rosters. They might fancy a pitcher like Civale, with his ability to provide stability. However, the 4.43 ERA over the last year and a half might make teams cautious about their offerings.
For the Guardians, their timing in letting Civale go couldn’t have been more impeccable. They’re now nurturing a player in Manzardo who seems ready to be a cornerstone, making their decision from 2023 look increasingly shrewd as Civale continues his baseball journey through multiple teams.
