Mystery Team
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Any time a team’s baseball staff or Scott Boras needs to drive up a price, the Mystery team will always be lurking in the shadows. Mike Clevinger would upgrade any rotation in baseball. Our mystery team would have to be in contention but also have the prospect capital to get a deal done. Some mystery teams could include:
Houston Astros
Fresh off the loss of Gerrit Cole, the Astros could stand to upgrade their pitching. Any deal here starts with Forrest Whitley (60 FV) who had a down year but still has Ace potential and would have other complements. If a deal were to come together the Cleveland Indians would have to be very high on some of the Astros bats in the low minors otherwise it would be a very pitching heavy return.
Atlanta Braves
Dallas Kuechel is out, Cole Hamels is in but the Braves could be interested in upgrading their rotation knowing they have to duke it out against the rotations of the Phillies, Nats, and Mets. Austin Riley (55 FV) or Christian Pache (60 FV) would be the centerpiece of a deal here and then the Braves could look to consolidate some of their upper minors pitching depth. Some combination of Ian Anderson, Bryse Wilson, and Kyle Wright could entice the Indians to move. Clevinger is originally from Jacksonville which would be close proximity to Atlanta as well.
There is an Ace on the trade market that could help you make the playoffs and win the World Series. We just watched the Nats ride starting pitching to a championship. It’s a copycat league so look for whoever acquires Mike Clevinger to try to emulate the same strategy next season.