We have been saying for weeks that the Cleveland Guardians need, at least, one additional impact starter to round out their pitching staff.
Yes, they re-signed Shane Bieber and yes, they acquired two young guys with upside in Luis L. Ortiz and Slade Cecconi.
Bieber is not going to be around for the first three months and the staff could use another ace-type to help Tanner Bibee carry the load when Bieber isn’t on the roster.
With that being said, it’s easy to see and understand the team’s reasoning when not aggressively pursuing another expensive starter via free agency, or a costly solution via trade.
The organization believes in Joey Cantillo and have reasons to do it.
“Joey Cantillo is projected the 2nd highest K/9 on the Guardians in 2025 at 9.15, while projected to have a 3.98 ERA and 4.17 FIP. Per FanGraphs, only 4 remaining FA SP are projected to finish 2025 with a better ERA, FIP, and only 3 FA SP with a better K/9. I see the vision,” Guardians content account @FranmilsEyebrow posted on X.
Joey Cantillo is projected the 2nd highest K/9 on the Guardians in 2025 at 9.15, while projected to have a 3.98 ERA and 4.17 FIP.
Per FanGraphs, only 4 remaining FA SP are projected to finish 2025 with a better ERA, FIP, and only 3 FA SP with a better K/9.
I see the vision.
— La Mole (@FranmilsEyebrow) January 6, 2025
Long story short, Cantillo can definitely miss bats and that helps his projections.
Whether that bat-missing ability correlates to run prevention will depend in large part on how much he can improve control and command.
We saw last off-season how he can get himself in trouble.
However, it’s hard to blame the Guardians for trusting their guys when that’s precisely what has gotten them to where they are.
There is still a chance Cleveland goes out and brings in a starting pitcher.
It probably won’t be a star, because they trust Bibee, Gavin Williams, Ortiz and Cantillo.
NEXT: Guardians Infielder Keeps Training Ahead Of Pivotal Campaign
