Analysts have varying opinions about the Cleveland Guardians’ most pressing needs ahead of the trade deadline. There’s still some time to figure some things out, but it never hurts to start thinking about what needs to be done before August 3.
Some say Cleveland’s most immediate concern is the offense, and that the lineup needs a reliable source of power. Others think that a shutdown reliever or two should be the priority.
Others, however, are convinced that the starting rotation needs more depth and quality if the team wants to take that step forward and win it all for the first time since 1948. The Guardians have two rotation anchors in Gavin Williams and Parker Messick, a pitcher who seems to be trending in the wrong direction in Joey Cantillo, and two surging righties in Tanner Bibee and Slade Cecconi.
With only Logan Allen acting as reliable depth, however, it’s clear that any deadline efforts to acquire talent should be focused on the pitching side, particularly in the rotation. That’s what Adam “the Bull” Gerstenhaber thinks, too.
“Right now, the biggest priority for the Guardians in the next two months is getting another starting pitcher. I’d love to see them get a starter, a reliever, and a hitter because the American League is wide open. I think the Guardians can win a World Series this year. I certainly think they can get to the World Series this year, so I’d go all in and get all three, but starting pitcher is the biggest priority,” Gerstenhaber said.
What should be the #Guardians' biggest priority? 👀⚾@adamthebull says it's simple: add another starting pitcher to the rotation 🔥#Guardsball: https://t.co/R3zp5VyIqe pic.twitter.com/9GMLRBSWHS
— Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show (@ultCLEsports) June 8, 2026
Gerstenhaber has said in the past that Cleveland needs to be aggressive at the deadline, because there’s an opportunity to run away with the AL Central and make a deep postseason run with the right pieces. He believes that a starter should be the No. 1 priority, but that the squad also needs some power and relief pitching help.
The Guardians have enough trade chips to bring in multiple impactful reinforcements come early August. What we don’t know is whether they will show the required aggressiveness with which true contenders are expected to approach the market in Cleveland’s situation.
We have seen Cleveland go for it before, specifically in that period between 2016 and 2018 in which they were true heavyweights in the American League. It’s time to go back to those days, now that the foundation for another deep run is in place.
NEXT: Joey Cantillo Had A Career-Worst Performance In Last Start
