The Cleveland Guardians will, as most teams do, employ a five-man rotation in 2025.
Every MLB organization knows, however, that you can’t navigate a season with just five starting pitchers.
The Guardians currently have, depending on what parameters you use, eight to 10 healthy and competent options to start a game, which is about the magic number for some peace of mind about the rotation.
Injuries happen, and so do demotions, trades and even suspensions.
That’s why depth is more important than ever.
To make things even better for Cleveland, more options could become available after the All-Star break.
At the moment, some of their starters are injured (Shane Bieber, John Means) or likely not ready for the majors (Doug Nikhazy, Austin Peterson, Ryan Webb, Parker Messick).
That could change in the second half as some of them will likely be healthy enough to return, while others will have developed well enough to be considered in case they are needed.
The number of names potentially available as starting pitching options in the second half is impressive, based on a list Guardians of The Land posted on X.
Potential 2nd Half Rotation Options:
Bieber
Bibee
Means
Ortiz
Williams
McKenzie
Junis
Lively
Cantillo
Cecconi
Allen
Nikhazy— Guardians of The Land (@OurCLEGuardians) February 17, 2025
Bieber, Tanner Bibee, Means, Luis L. Ortiz, Gavin Williams, Triston McKenzie, Jakob Junis, Ben Lively, Joey Cantillo, Slade Cecconi, Logan Allen and Nikhazy all could be rotation options in the summer months and the stretch run.
That doesn’t even include Aaron Davenport, Messick, Peterson and other prospects who could force their way up with excellent performances in the high minors, or non-roster invitees who could win spots, such as Vince Velazquez or Kolby Allard.
The likelihood of all of them being ready at the same time is extremely low, but that’s precisely why quality depth is important. Sometimes, four, five or six pitchers get injured simultaneously, while others struggle.
Last year’s Guardians had some starting pitching depth issues.
They are trying to make sure that doesn’t happen this season.
NEXT: Guardians Reach Agreement With Veteran Lefty
