The Cleveland Guardians are facing a key offseason.
They made the playoffs despite their offensive shortcomings, but that doesn’t mean they should run it back with the same core.
If anything, they need to find more help at the plate.
With that in mind, analyst Tommy Wild pointed out that they could move on from one of their young pitchers to acquire a proven hitter.
“The Cleveland Guardians have some work to do to clean up the 40-man roster and shorten their rotation after ending the regular season with six starters. A few trades to accomplish these tasks feel inevitable at some point this winter, but who? The Guardians are in a position to deal from their pitching depth to hopefully acquire a big-league proven bat. One prospect could be a trade candidate, and a package for that type of player could include LHP Doug Nikhazy. A team looking for more starting pitching depth and likes the command that Nikhazy possesses could find value in trading for him. It will be interesting to see what Nikhazy’s role on the Guardians ends up being, or if Cleveland ends up using him as a trade piece in a larger deal,” Wild wrote.
That makes sense, even though the Guardians aren’t the type of team that looks to part with its prospects.
If anything, they’re constantly trying to acquire as many cost-friendly players as they possibly can.
This time, however, they need to take a different approach.
Stephen Vogt has proven to be a good manager and, more importantly, a leader of men.
He accomplished more than most people would have with the hand he was given.
Also, with Jose Ramirez playing at an elite level, they need to do right by him and finally give him the third baseman the supporting cast he deserves.
That means leaving no stone unturned to acquire needed players, even if it comes at the expense of their beloved farm system.
They have more than enough talent and depth on the mound right now, with more starters than they can comfortably keep in the rotation.
That’s not the case with the lineup, so it might be time to make a splash.
NEXT: Guardians' Shortstop Prospect Keeps Impressing In Winter Ball
