As the Cleveland Guardians prepare for what they hope is a playoff run this season, who would be the best match for them before the trade deadline?
It has been an extremely impressive start to the season for the Cleveland Guardians in 2024. Sitting atop the AL Central with a nine-game lead and owning the best record in the American League, the Guardians are likely going to be playing meaningful baseball in October.
With the great start comes the opportunity to look to improve the team before the summer is over at the MLB Trade Deadline. Recently, ESPN spoke about the needs and the best match for the Cleveland Guardians. Here’s what they had to say.
Best match: Erick Fedde
Cleveland entered 2024 hoping to ride its young rotation to playoff contention. Well, Shane Bieber went down with Tommy John surgery, Gavin Williams hasn’t thrown a big league inning, Logan Allen is sporting a 5.23 ERA and Triston McKenzie leads MLB in walks and home runs allowed.
Fedde, 31, might be the signing of the offseason, joining the White Sox for two years and $15 million after winning the Korean Baseball Organization MVP award in 2023. The right-hander is eating innings (his 94⅓ are among the top 10 in the AL), generating ground balls (47.6%), and striking out four batters for every one he walks.
Seeing the Guardians with such an impressive record despite some pitching woes is truly surprising. When Shane Bieber went down at the beginning of the season, the team easily could have folded up without their ace.
However, they have been finding ways to win despite having struggles in the starting rotation. Adding a pitcher like Fedde would help give the Guardians a much-needed arm in the rotation. While Fedde might not be an ace, he is pitching better than most of the staff for the Guardians currently.
If the Guardians want to be a true contender this season, they will need to improve the rotation for sure. Fedde would be a good start in that area.
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