Cleveland Guardians Trade Cal Quantrill To Colorado Rockies

After four seasons, Cleveland has traded Quantrill to Colorado for 22-year-old catcher prospect Kody Huff.

Starting pitcher Cal Quantrill was designated for assignment by the Cleveland Guardians earlier this week, as the team finalized its 40-man roster ahead of the 2023 MLB Rule 5 Draft.

With this transaction, Cleveland had a decision to make about Quantrill’s future.

Would the team work out a trade, or place him on waivers to potentially be claimed by another team before becoming a free agent?

This question has now been answered.

Earlier today, the Guardians announced that they have traded Quantrill to the Colorado Rockies for catcher prospect Kody Huff.

We have acquired C Kody Huff from the Rockies in exchange for RHP Cal Quantrill.

Thank you for everything you've done in our clubhouse and our community, Cal. Best of luck in Colorado!#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/KoJEBq0hIg

— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) November 17, 2023

In his four seasons with Cleveland, Quantrill made 99 appearances (75 starts), going 27-15 with a 3.58 ERA, 320 strikeouts, 1.25 WHIP, and three complete games. The 28-year-old also made three postseason appearances, going 0-2 with a 5.23 ERA, nine strikeouts, and 1.26 WHIP.

However, he was due a projected $6.6 million in arbitration salary in 2024, which the Guardians thought could be used in a more advantageous way.

Sep 7, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Cal Quantrill (47) throws in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium / © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Huff was a seventh-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft by the Rockies out of Stanford University. The 22-year-old was named First Team All-Pac-12 in 2022, when he hit .315 with 13 home runs, 51 RBI, and a .978 OPS in 65 games and led the Cardinal to a Pac-12 Championship.

In his first full Minor League season, he hit .262 with five home runs, 36 RBI, and 14 doubles in 86 games with Single-A Fresno this year. Huff was also named the 2023 California League Defensive Catcher of the Year by Baseball America.

Maybe the Rockies have figured out their catching?

Romo, WillieMac, Goodman(still counts), Palma, Fulford and now add Kody Huff to the list.

In 5 games this season, @Kodyhuff2 has 8 RBI and an OPS of 1.000. His BA is .426 (10/21). #Growlifornia pic.twitter.com/fkG2o89c2g

— Blake Street Banter ⚾🌮 (@blakestbanter) April 13, 2023

This trade comes just over a year after Cleveland made another deal with Colorado.

On November 15th, 2022, the Guardians traded Nolan Jones to the Rockies for infield prospect Juan Brito, who is currently Cleveland’s sixth-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline and on the team’s 40-man roster.