The Guardians finally made their move on Monday, landing Jo Adell from the Angels in a deal that should give Cleveland a real jolt on the offensive side. The trade came together hours before the 6 p.m. EST deadline, with the club adding a right-handed bat for the stretch run.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post was among the first to report the news on X, writing, “Jo Adell to Guardians,” as word of the deal spread.
Adell, 27, arrives in Cleveland after seven seasons in the majors and what looks like a real step forward over the last two years. Even with a .239 batting average and a .287 OBP this season, both numbers that are hardly eye-popping, he has produced. In 423 at-bats, Adell has 101 hits, 16 home runs, and 62 RBIs.
The price for the Guardians appears to be a manageable one. According to MLB insiders Mark Feinsand and Tim Stebbins, Cleveland is sending catcher prospect Jacob Cozart to Los Angeles.
“The Angels get catcher Jacob Cozart from the Guardians for Adell, a source tells Tim Stebbins,” Feinsand said.
Cozart, 23, spent the season at Double-A Akron in the Guardians’ system. The Angels were looking for a prospect catcher, and they get one here.
He has hit .239 with a .330 OBP, along with 68 hits, 10 home runs, and 44 RBIs in 284 at-bats at Double-A. The expectation is that Los Angeles will assign him to either Triple-A Salt Lake or Double-A Rocket City as he continues his development.
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