The Cleveland Guardians have severe rotation depth issues.
It’s really the only thing holding them back at the moment: their offense is inconsistent, but promising and productive.
Their bullpen is the best in the league, and their player development, coaching, and scouting departments are top-notch.
The rotation is their only real, tangible problem other than the lack of runs from time to time.
They lost Shane Bieber, they had to demote both Logan Allen and Triston McKenzie, they spent the first several weeks of the year without Gavin Williams, and Xzavion Curry, who had a decent 2023, hasn’t performed as hoped.
They know they have to invest important resources in the rotation before Tuesday afternoon’s trade deadline, but they tried a cheap acquisition, Spencer Howard, to see if they could hit the jackpot without having to pay a premium price.
They didn’t.
Now, Howard is a free agent after rejecting a minor league assignment.
“RHP Spencer Howard declined his outright assignment and elected free agency,” GuardsInsider tweeted.
RHP Spencer Howard declined his outright assignment and elected free agency.
— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) July 29, 2024
The team hoped Howard could be their fifth starter, but he didn’t fare well in five innings.
He conceded five earned runs for a 9.00 ERA, plus a whopping 11 hits and three walks.
He has former top prospect pedigree but has failed to live up to that hype in four organizations now.
He will now elect to return to the free agent market.
The Guardians, meanwhile, have more pressure than ever to secure at least one top starter via trade.
Their 2024 fate could depend on it.
NEXT: Guardians Star Prospect Checks Off Several Milestones On Sunday
