Free agency and the trade season have officially started in MLB.
One of the Cleveland Guardians’ biggest rivals, the Kansas City Royals, secured the services of starting pitcher Michael Wacha on a multi-year deal.
The Guardians haven’t made a move so far in the young off-season, but it’s perfectly clear that starting pitching is their biggest need.
The unit failed them in the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees, and if the Guards want to make it far next year, they need multiple reinforcements.
The organization lost, so far, three starters to free agency: Shane Bieber, Alex Cobb and Matthew Boyd.
Cleveland sports anchor Nick Camino believes the Guards should work hard to secure at least two of those targets in the upcoming weeks/months.
“If I’m calling shots for the #Guardians…my Top 3 in the rotation are….1. Bieber 2. Bibee 3. Boyd. Triple-B top of the rotation,” he posted on X.
If I’m calling shots for the #Guardians…my Top 3 in the rotation are…
1. Bieber
2. Bibee
3. BoydTriple-B top of the rotation. https://t.co/ml0sgm29Cx
— Nick Camino (@NickCaminoWKYC) November 3, 2024
That’s actually not a bad top three.
The problem is that there is no guarantee that Bieber will be ready for the start of the 2025 campaign after undergoing elbow surgery in April.
He would be 12 months removed from the procedure by the time the season starts.
He is likely to take at least a few weeks of the 2025 campaign to complete his rehab.
In any case, the Guardians would be smart to bring back their longtime ace even on a short-term deal.
Bibee is already locked and loaded near or at the top of the rotation, and Boyd left very good impressions after returning from his own surgery in the second half.
If the Guardians enter the season with that trio at the top, bring in another solid rotation arm and manage to make Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen viable starters again, their pitching outlook would change for the better.
NEXT: Guardians Are Favorites To Sign Catcher Prospect
