The Cleveland Guardians had a historic performance in 2024, reaching the American League Championship Series and coming up just three wins short of a World Series appearance.
They entered the off-season with one goal in mind: add multiple impact starting pitchers to their roster.
If we consider that the off-season isn’t yet over and they might still be looking for the right opportunity to add another hurler, the Guardians have done an amazing job reinforcing their staff without really spending much in the way of money.
They re-signed star pitcher and potential staff ace Shane Bieber, owner of a career 3.22 ERA and the 2020 AL Cy Young award.
Bieber is recovering from Tommy John surgery and won’t be able to open the 2025 campaign on the active roster.
He is expected to be a big factor in the second half and, hopefully, the postseason, an instance in which he was badly missed last year.
Cleveland also brought in Luis L. Ortiz and his huge upside and solid floor for the middle of the rotation, as well as diamond in the rough Slade Cecconi.
Cecconi might be a reliever over the long haul, but he has a starter’s skillset, a big fastball, a quality slider and excellent extension.
In other words, he has the tools to be a major difference maker with the right coaching, and the Guardians are prepared to give it to him.
If they can get them both right with off-season work, Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen could also be factors next year and are part of the overall organizational depth chart.
They might still use another arm, but the Guardians pitching staff has come a long way since their 2024 postseason exit.
NEXT: Guardians Pitching Prospect Works Hard On 1 Specific Pitch
