Cleveland Guardians: Starting Pitcher Trade Possibilities

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The Cleveland Guardians were supposed to have one of the best starting pitcher rotations in Major League Baseball. Instead with multiple season-ending injuries, including Shane Bieber, the Guardians are struggling to pitch well consistently. The relievers are doing their part to give the Guardians a chance for multiple wins and the lineup is nothing short of a show of absolute amazement. Before the season began, the starting pitching rotation was supposed to be top five while the lineup was supposed to be the team’s Achilles heel. Here are a few possible pitchers the Guardians could trade for.

Texas Rangers- Jon Gray– 36 years old- The Rangers have multiple injuries to the starting pitching rotation too and Gray could be pitching his last season. This is the time for the Rangers to consider making a trade for young, up-and-coming pitchers. A trade with Cleveland is logical. Although the Guardians would hate to give up two young prospects in such a trade for a pitcher who is essentially a “one-year rental”, the Rangers would almost certainly agree to a deal for Daniel Espino and Franco Aleman.

The only issue with this trade is Gray’s age. Although this trade would likely be the easiest trade with a 90 percent chance of the Rangers accepting it, the Guardians would likely trade with another team for a younger pitcher.

Detroit Tigers- Tarik Skubal– 27- years old- If the Guardians are trading Espino and Aleman to any team, it’s likely the Detroit Tigers. Such a deal would be a “slam dunk” for both teams. There is a chance that the Guardians would just trade Espino or Aleman but it’s unlikely Detroit would trade the eighth-best pitcher in MLB in terms of earned run average (ERA) for just one minor league pitcher who’s on the rise. In fact, Cleveland may have to add another prospect in addition to Espino and Aleman to entice the Detroit Tigers to agree to a deal. Skubal only has one year on his contract but he signed a 2.65 million dollar deal which would be ideal for the Dolans at this time. The Guardians would very likely sign him to an extension but he’ll get a Shane Bieber-like deal from Cleveland since Bieber could be on another team next season. This could work out great for both teams. This is the most likely blockbuster trade the Guardians would agree to.

Chicago White Sox- Garrett Crochet – 25-years old- Although giving up prospects in a trade to a division opponent could be risky, the Guardians can’t afford to be picky if Theresa chance to contend against the Yankees and Orioles in the American League Championship Series. In fact, just to advance far in the playoffs, the Guardians need at least one starting pitcher from another team. The White Sox aren’t in a position to do anything this season and even the Detroit Tigers are in a far better position to come back in the A.L. Central. Trading for Crochet is probably way more likely than Skubal. The Guardians might be able to just trade one pitcher and not have to try to entice the White Sox with a two-for-one deal. The White Sox have virtually no chance to make the playoffs and are on pace for the worst win-loss record in MLB at 21-57. However, the White Sox may still ask for two pitchers in return as Crochet has tons of value on the trade market.

New York Mets- Luis Severino – 30 years old- Another age pitcher to consider is former New York Yankees star Severino. He’s having a bounce-back year with his 4-2 record and 3.52 ERA. The Guardians would avoid a trade within the division but it’s tricky to determine how much the Mets will ask fie in return. Since Severino is back in playoff form, this could ironically be a more challenging trade than acquiring Crochet from Chicago or Skubal from Detroit. Severino is likely one of the last, if not the last, option the Guardians will consider.

Cincinnati Reds – Hunter Greene– 24 years Old- You’ve probably never heard of Greene yet but there could be an intriguing trade brewing in the Buckeye State soon. Greene has a 5-2 record with a 3.35 ERA. This trade will be very difficult to pull off since the Reds may still be in contention in the weak N.L. Central race.

Most likely trade to happen:

Guardians trade:

Pitcher: Daniel Espino

Pitcher: Franco Aleman

Outfielder George Valera

Tigers trade:

Pitcher: Tarik Skubal