A day after Christmas, the Yankees and Guardians have swapped former prospects, as Estevan Florial is headed to Cleveland for right-handed pitcher Cody Morris. Both have shown flash throughout their pro careers but neither have found sustained success at the MLB level. Here’s a closer look at the trade and the pieces involved.
Related: 2024 MLB Prospect Profile: Yankees OF Spencer Jones
The Guardians’ Return
- OF Estevan Florial (.230/.324/.311, 0 HR and 4 XBH in 19 G (71 PA))
Now-former Yankees outfielder Estevan Florial was a highly-touted prospect in the 2024 international free agent pool, a class in which the Yankees invested heavily but didn’t receive much in the way of returns.
Florial turned out to be one of the more productive players from that class. Unfortunately for the Yankees, Florial didn’t turn out as projected.
A former top prospect in the Yankees organization, the 26-year-old showed impressive raw power and bat speed in New York’s farm system. However, scouting reports were squeamish about Florial’s hit ability, as he struck out often in the Minors and had trouble staying off breaking balls.
Florial made his MLB debut in the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign but didn’t hit much in the upper Minors in 2021.
Two years later, the 26-year-old belted a career-high 28 home runs and stole 25 bases in Triple-A. But after a fine season in the Minors, Florial will head to Cleveland for Cody Morris.
The Yankees’ Return
- SP/RP Cody Morris (6.75 ERA, 9 K over 8 IP)
The Guardians drafted right-hander Cody Morris out of the University of South Carolina in the seventh round of the MLB Draft five years ago. Cleveland’s had success over the past decade finding college pitchers outside the top two rounds. Shane Bieber and Tanner Bibee are examples of that.
Morris looked like a good find just two years ago, when Morris struck out 93 over 61 frames in the Minors, then helped play a big role for the Guardians during their run to the AL Central title last year. Across his first 22.2 MLB innings in September 2022, Morris walked 11 but also struck out 22 and owned an impressive 1.99 ERA.
Injuries have been a major problem for the new Yankee throughout this pro career. Shoulder problems limited him in 2022, while a right teres major strain knocked him out for a couple of months this past season.
Morris boasts a mid-90s fastball that gets whiffs when pounded up. Not to mention, he gets plenty of life and ride on it. In 2022, the pitch had a solid 17.1” of IVB on it.
Aside from the fastball, Morris also has a high-80s cutter, a good low-80s curveball with plenty of downward break, and a changeup that’s been a go-to pitch against left-handed hitters.
Walks, however, have been a problem for Morris. While command wasn’t an issue at the lower levels, opposing hitters at higher levels have been taking more on Morris and it’s shown in his Chase% (20.0%), 1st Pitch Strike (55.3%), and BB% (15.8%) from the small sample size in 2023. All of those figures were below league average.
Analysis
It was unlikely that Florial would get a long look in the Majors again with the Yankees. Florial’s been previously DFA’d by the Yankees and New York has depth support in the outfield with Oscar Gonzalez, Everson Pereira, and Luis Gonzalez.
The move gives the Yanks the ability to recoup an asset for the 26-year-old.
The deal does give Cleveland a toolsy outfielder with power and speed. The Guardians lacked in power last year and Cleveland did have the pitching depth to make a deal of hitting help. However, don’t expect Florial to be an impact bat.
As for the Yankees, New York yet acquired another notable youngster from Cleveland. Just a few weeks ago, the Yankees claimed ex-Guardians OF Oscar Gonzalez off waivers.
Morris does offer pitching depth for the Yankees and his success at the MLB level, albeit limited is promising. Command and injury concerns could mean a move to the bullpen for Morris, who’s been a starter for most of his pro career. But, there is flash with the 27-year-old.