The Cleveland Guardians have been the best team in the American League so far this season.
Their offense, at least in comparison to the 2023 unit, is much better, and their bullpen is magnificent.
Pitching development is an organizational strength, and they are a well-coached team with a savvy baseball head in Chris Antonetti.
There is one problem, though: their starting pitching depth might not be enough.
The trade deadline has passed, and the Guardians decided to add 36-year-old veteran Alex Cobb.
Cobb has a solid 3.85 career ERA, but has suffered all kinds of injuries and hasn’t pitched this season.
He is just about ready to return after a lengthy rehab, but can the Guardians really trust him to make a difference at this stage and at his age?
Reality indicates they should have added at least one additional starter, preferrably a top-of-the-rotation option.
Of course, those are expensive in terms of prospects, so it’s at least understandable Antonetti didn’t want to do it.
The Athletic Cleveland, however, also wonders if the team is taking a big risk.
“The Guardians made sensible trade deadline moves, but they’re taking big pitching risks,” they tweeted.
The Guardians made sensible trade deadline moves, but they're taking big pitching risks https://t.co/rdUXSe62YQ
— The Athletic Cleveland / Columbus (@TheAthleticCLE) July 31, 2024
The top two pitchers in the Guardians rotation, Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams, were rookies last year.
The third-best arm in the staff, Ben Lively, was a total question mark a year ago.
Cobb and Matt Boyd, expected to take over rotation spots when healthy, are extremely injury-prone and so is Carlos Carrasco.
The Guardians bullpen is so good that this debate can be moot in October.
However, Cleveland is overusing its relievers and a good, solid innings eater could have helped in that regard.
The deadline was a golden opportunity with Cleveland, but they opted to keep their prospects and wait.
It could work, for all we know.
How good are their chances, though, knowing that the Baltimore Orioles, the Houston Astros and the National League powerhouses all made moves to reinforce starting pitching?
NEXT: Guardians Shut Out Tigers On Deadline Day
