The outstanding start to the 2024 Major League Baseball season has changed expectations for the Cleveland Guardians.
Currently leading the American League Central Division, the Guardians can’t be criticized if they plan for entry to postseason baseball.
While timely hitting has been a pleasant surprise, the lack of starting pitching depth is an issue Cleveland’s front office has not recently encountered.
Usually, the Guardians issues revolve around hitting, not starting pitching.
Status of the Starting Rotation:
The Guardians have been challenged by their current rotation.
All Star right-hander Shane Bieber is recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Young right-hander Gavin Williams is recovering from a barking elbow. While he is currently on rehab assignment, Williams has not thrown a major league pitch this season.
Right-hander Triston McKenzie is coming off a year with elbow and shoulder miseries. The Guardians have to be prepared if McKenzie experiences a return to his injury issues.
Left-hander Logan T. Allen has shown signs of inconsistency from start to start, and his reliability can be questioned.
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Right-hander Ben Lively, acquired as a free agent, has had great success. The Guardians front office deserves credit for uncovering a solid starting pitcher to deepen their rotation.
Veteran right-hander Carlos Carrasco is showing every bit of his 37-years on the planet. He won a starting role when the team’s starting depth ran out. Sadly, Carrasco can’t be counted upon to work deeply into games.
Left-handed prospect Joey Cantillo, perhaps counted upon to bolster the rotation sooner than later, just joined the rotation at Triple-A Columbus. He had been dealing with a hamstring injury.
To this old scout, the Guardians have to find at least one healthy, reliable, veteran starting pitcher capable of taking the ball every fifth day.
Trade Targets:
This scout has compiled a list of potential trade targets that may be appealing for Cleveland.
They include:
Patrick Sandoval-LHP-Los Angeles Angels-Age 27
Currently pitching on a one-year, $5.025 million contract, Patrick Sandoval has two more years of salary arbitration before he can become a free agent in 2027.
A solid lefty, Sandoval is 6-3, 190 pounds.
Striking out an average of 9.6 hitters per nine innings, Sandoval makes sense due to the unmet needs of the Angels (trade possibilities) and the impact he can have as a left-handed starter.
David Peterson-LHP-New York Mets-Age 28
David Peterson is working on a one-year, $2.15 million contract. He has two more years of arbitration eligibility, before he becomes a free agent in 2027.
Currently a fifth starter for the Mets, Peterson is 6-6, 240 pounds.
Peterson is a potential starter that Cleveland’s outstanding pitching coaches can probably help.
Spencer Turnbull-RHP-Philadelphia Phillies-Age 31
A true veteran righty, Spencer Turnbull is making $2 million this year, on a one-year contract. He can become a free agent after this season.
At 6-3, 210 pounds, Turnbull has good size.
Turnbull has been a starter most of his career. This year, however, Philadelphia is using Taijuan Walker as their fifth starter, which moved Turnbull to the bullpen.
For this scout, Turnbull could be a real sleeper if he is added to the back-end of Cleveland’s rotation.
Ryan Feltner-RHP-Colorado Rockies-Age 27
The Rockies may want to dip into the Guardians prospect depth to improve the overall fortunes of their team.
At 6-4, 190 pounds, Ryan Feltner is a quality right-hander capable of eating innings and throwing strikes.
Feltner has probably been the best pitcher on the Rockies staff this year, and the price may be high. But he has good command and control, and knows how to pitch.
Yusei Kikuchi-LHP-Toronto Blue Jays-Age 32
A 6-0, 210 pound veteran lefty, Yusei Kikuchi is making $10 million, and can be a free agent at the end of the year.
Kikuchi can keep his team in games, eat innings, and is a healthy option as a back-end starter.
Guardians Players To Trade-The Schneemann Factor:
Adding Daniel Schneemann to the big league roster could open tremendous trade possibilities for the Guardians.
Schneemann can play shortstop, and play it well.
To that end, it is possible any one of the middle-infield players below could be attractive to a trade partner, with Schneemann and Brayan Rocchio both very capable of starting at shortstop:
Gabriel Arias
Jose Tena
Angel Martinez
Kahil Watson
Note: This old scout would not trade Juan Brito.
Outfielders that could be considered in a potential trade include:
George Valera
Petey Halpin
Myles Straw (hitting well at this point)
This scout would not favor adding a pitcher to a trade for a journeyman, veteran starter. Rather, a package of a quality infielder and solid outfielder could be attractive.
