The Cleveland Guardians have added three pitchers who are expected to start games in 2025.
Shane Bieber is a lock to lead the rotation starting in the summer if he can complete a successful recovery from elbow surgery.
Luis L. Ortiz, who came over via trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates, will be tasked with an important role in the middle of the rotation.
Slade Cecconi, also acquired in a trade, is a swingman who should at least make some starts in 2025.
After losing Alex Cobb and Matthew Boyd and not knowing how will Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen fare next year, you could argue that Cleveland needs another arm.
What kind of arm? Some say they should bring in top-of-the-rotation material.
Others, however, would say that a talented, potential bounce-back candidate would suffice.
Guardians insider Mandy Bell said that a guy like Spencer Turnbull would be a good fit.
“The Guardians have added Shane Bieber, Luis Ortiz and Slade Cecconi to their starting mix, but they certainly can’t have too many options. Turnbull fits the profile of a type of hurler Cleveland could take a chance on: not overpowering with his stuff but throws strikes. Turnbull proved he can be a reliable starter earlier in his career, but after missing the 2022 season due to Tommy John surgery, he took some time settling back in,” she wrote.
Turnbull’s 2024 campaign with Philadelphia was ruined by a right lat strain, but he showed enough to be considered a good cheap alternative for Cleveland.
He had a 2.65 ERA in 54.1 frames, with 58 strikeouts to his name.
“The Guardians helped Matthew Boyd come back from a serious injury this past year and get back to the pitcher he was earlier in his career. They could do the same with Turnbull,” Bell concluded.
Turnbull is still just 32 and boasts a 4.26 ERA.
He won’t be an ace or even a mid-rotation arm, but he should be a solid depth pitcher with which floor to be a good number four or five.
NEXT: Guardians Insider Suggests Team Should Add More Starting Pitching
