The trade involving Junior Caminero is now viewed as a pivotal error for Cleveland. Caminero’s emergence as a star highlights the critical importance of long-term prospect evaluation in maintaining a competitive roster.
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The Rays can thank the Guardians for their biggest star: How a 'bad trade' sent Junior Caminero to Tampa
Cleveland swapped Caminero for Tobias Myers in a deal that even Guards exec Chris Antonetti admitted was a 'bad trade' When the ALCS begins Monday night, the deep ties that bind the Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays will be on display. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt began his playing career with the Rays, ditto Guardians first baseman Nathaniel Lowe. Rays slugger Yandy Díaz began his career in Cleveland. Relievers Shawn Armstrong and Kevin Kelly have a history with both teams. Then there's Junior Caminero, Tampa's star third baseman and MVP candidate. Caminero signed with the Guardians as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic in July 2019. Two and a half years later, Cleveland traded him to the Rays for righty Tobias Myers. At the time, Caminero was an 18-year-old in the Dominican Summer League, the lowest rung of the minors. "That's a bad trade," Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti told MLB.com in 2023, summing up the deal in the only way you can. The trade was a footnote at the time. Caminero was not yet a top prospect. The trade was completed in November 2021 and it wasn't until 2023 that Caminero ranked among Baseball America's top 30 Rays prospects. It wasn't until 2024 that he was a top 100 prospect in baseball. The Rays identified a very talented, very young player and were able to trade for him before he broke out.
By Mike AxisaOctober 12, 2026CBS Sports
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