Revisiting the Mike Clevinger Trade: Six Years Later, the Guardians Walk Away Big Winners
Mike Clevinger is back in the headlines after inking a minor league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. And while the man nicknamed “Sunshine” may be nearing the twilight of his career, his name still carries weight - especially when you look back at one of the more consequential trades of the last decade.
Nearly six years ago, the Cleveland Guardians shipped Clevinger to the San Diego Padres in a blockbuster deal that, at the time, raised plenty of eyebrows. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, it’s clear: Cleveland came out of that trade with a haul that has paid off in spades, while San Diego is left wondering what went wrong.
Let’s break it down.
The Trade
To Padres:
- RHP Mike Clevinger
- OF Greg Allen
- RHP Matt Waldron
To Guardians:
- 1B/OF Josh Naylor
- LHP Joey Cantillo
- INF Gabriel Arias
- INF Owen Miller
- C Austin Hedges
- RHP Cal Quantrill
The Padres’ Side: High Risk, Low Return
At the time of the deal, Clevinger was one of the more under-the-radar aces in the American League. Across five seasons with Cleveland, he posted a 3.20 ERA and racked up 583 strikeouts in just over 500 innings. He was a reliable, high-upside arm - the kind of pitcher a contending team like San Diego was willing to bet big on.
But things unraveled quickly.
First came the fallout from breaking COVID-19 protocols during a team trip in 2020, which led to his exit from Cleveland. Then came the injuries. Clevinger made just four starts for the Padres in 2020 before undergoing Tommy John surgery, which wiped out his entire 2021 season.
He returned in 2022, but the version of Clevinger that took the mound wasn’t the same. Over 133 1/3 innings, he posted a 4.12 ERA with diminished velocity and inconsistent command. He never quite found his footing in San Diego.
After three more underwhelming seasons with the White Sox from 2023 to 2025, Clevinger is now trying to claw his way back into the majors with Pittsburgh.
As for the rest of the Padres’ return?
- Greg Allen played a single game for San Diego in 2020, going hitless but drawing two walks and getting plunked once. He was quickly sent to the alternate training site and later dealt to the Yankees.
He’s bounced around since, most recently going hitless in 14 at-bats with the Orioles. He’s currently a free agent.
- Matt Waldron, the player to be named later in the deal, quietly became the most productive piece the Padres received.
The knuckleballer threw 146 2/3 innings in 2024, posting a 4.91 ERA. While the numbers don’t jump off the page, he was at least a serviceable arm in a rotation that needed innings.
Still, he’s hardly a lock to make the roster this spring.
Final Verdict for the Padres: D+
San Diego paid a steep price for a pitcher who gave them one healthy season and an outfielder who barely saw the field. Waldron’s emergence prevents this from being a total disaster, but there’s no sugarcoating it - the Padres swung big and missed.
The Guardians’ Side: A Masterclass in Asset Management
Cleveland didn’t just win this trade - they turned it into a long-term foundation.
Let’s start with Josh Naylor, who immediately made his presence felt with a standout performance in the 2020 Wild Card Series. His fiery, emotional style of play made him a fan favorite, and despite a gruesome leg injury in 2021, he bounced back strong.
From 2022 through 2025, Naylor was a consistent force in the middle of Cleveland’s lineup. He slashed .264/.324/.450 with 75 home runs and a .774 OPS, good for 5.4 bWAR.
He was eventually dealt to Arizona in 2025, netting the Guardians right-hander Slade Cecconi and a competitive balance pick that turned into Will Hynes, a promising pitching prospect. Naylor was later flipped to Seattle and re-signed there this offseason - a testament to his value around the league.
Then there’s Cal Quantrill, who turned into a rock-solid rotation piece for Cleveland. Over four seasons, he posted a 3.58 ERA and gave the Guardians quality innings and stability. He was traded to Colorado following the 2023 season and is now with the Rangers on a minor league deal, but his contributions in Cleveland were significant.
Owen Miller served as a utility infielder for two seasons, but never quite found his footing at the plate. He was dealt to Milwaukee in 2023 and hasn’t made much noise since.
Three pieces from the deal remain in Cleveland heading into 2026:
- Gabriel Arias is still trying to put it all together. He’s flashed elite defensive tools - a cannon arm and smooth glove - but his bat has lagged behind.
The Guardians have stuck with him, hoping his raw power and athleticism can translate into a more consistent offensive profile. He’s in the mix to start at shortstop or second base in 2026.
- Austin Hedges has become a clubhouse leader and defensive anchor behind the plate. He’s never been known for his bat, but his work with the pitching staff and presence in the locker room have made him a valuable piece of the puzzle.
- Joey Cantillo might be the next breakout name. The crafty lefty has quietly put together a 3.21 ERA across 95 1/3 innings over the last two seasons, and 2026 could be his coming-out party. He’s expected to get a real shot in the rotation this year, and the Guardians are high on his upside.
Final Verdict for the Guardians: A+
Cleveland turned a disgruntled pitcher into six big-league contributors. Naylor and Quantrill delivered immediate impact, while players like Cantillo and Arias could still be part of the team’s future core.
Even the pieces they’ve moved - like Naylor - brought back more value in return. This is how you win a trade and keep winning from it years later.
Bottom Line
Trades like this don’t come around often - the kind where one team maximizes every ounce of value and the other is left wondering what could’ve been. The Guardians saw an opportunity, moved decisively, and came away with a return that’s still paying dividends in 2026.
For the Padres, it was a gamble that didn’t work out. Injuries played a role, sure, but the bottom line is they gave up a lot and got very little in return.
Six years later, there’s no debate: Cleveland won this trade - and it’s not particularly close.