The Cleveland Guardians are on the lookout for starting pitchers.
If you have been following the team in recent weeks and months, that shouldn’t be a surprise to you.
The team lost Shane Bieber, Alex Cobb and Matthew Boyd to free agency, and while they were able to retain their longtime ace, the last two departed to the Detroit Tigers and Cubs, respectively.
The Guards brought in Luis L. Ortiz to bolster the rotation, but they still need an arm or two to really compete with the best.
While they look around the free agent and trade markets, they are trying to come up with solutions from within the organization.
They are, apparently, eager to turn one of their relievers into a starting pitcher.
They haven’t made such announcement, but Pedro Avila, who was a valuable reliever in the regular season and playoffs, will start a winter league stint in Venezuela… as a starter.
El lanzador grandeliga Pedro Ávila jugará con los Tiburones de La Guaira.
📌 El derecho se incorporará la próxima y realizará dos aperturas con los escualos.
💻 La nota completa la puedes leer en https://t.co/YsD7QMuXxA
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•#Pedroavila#tiburonesdelaguaira#lvbp… pic.twitter.com/XuyMe8DRov— Líder en Deportes (@LiderEsDeporte) December 14, 2024
The article says that Avila will make his Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional (LVBP) debut next week with Tiburones de La Guaira.
It also states that he will make two starts with Tiburones.
It doesn’t offer any specifics about the Guardians plans for Avila.
The fact they are letting him start is telling: there is a non-zero chance that’s the role Cleveland wants him to fulfill moving forward.
Avila accumulated experience working multiple innings through the years.
He started six games in 2023 and pitched 82.2 frames this year in just 54 games.
He had a 3.81 ERA between the San Diego Padres and the Guardians.
Right now, Cleveland has Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Ortiz, Ben Lively, Joey Cantillo, Logan Allen and Bieber when he returns around mid-season.
They should add another high-profile name, but if they want to go cheap, Avila could become an option to start eventually.
NEXT: Yankees Considering Guardians Star As Trade Option
