Almost every team in MLB is looking for more starting pitching, but in the case of the Cleveland Guardians, they have more than enough at the big-league level.
Every team around baseball is always looking for one thing, whether it be leading up to the trade deadline or during the heart of the offseason: more pitching depth.
Looking at the teams that typically make it far in October, they typically have one thing in common, and that’s an elite pitching staff.
The Cleveland Guardians are on the opposite side of the picture when it comes to the norm pitching depth. The front office actually has a good problem on their hands this offseason: that’s too much starting pitching.
Cleveland ended last season with a six-man rotation of Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, Slade Cecconi, Parker Messick, Logan Allen, and Joey Cantillo.
The decision to turn to the expanded rotation was one of the key reasons the Guardians reached the postseason and won the American League Central.
However, even Stephen Vogt admitted at the end of the regular season that, though the expanded rotation worked wonders, it likely isn’t a viable option during the regular season, when rosters are capped at 26 players.
Jul 3, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Joey Cantillo (54) leaves a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn ImagesThen, looking down at the farm system, the Guardians also have a couple of other pitchers who could be in the mix next season, including RHP Austin Peterson, RHP Khal Stephen, and LHP Doug Nikhazy. Will former top prospect Daniel Espino stay healthy and become a viable option next year?
Cleveland clearly feels comfortable with where they are with their pitching depth. If they weren’t, they wouldn’t have rejected the team's option on John Means’ contract for the 2026 season.
So, that leaves the Guardians with some tough decisions to make this winter. Perhaps Allen or Cantillo turns into a trade candidate for Cleveland at some point this winter. It would make some sense to sell high on their value.
Let’s end with this: a team can never have too much pitching depth. There’s always going to be unforeseen injuries and missed starts throughout a 162-game season.
That said, given where the Guardians stand right now at full health, they need to decide who will be on the outside of the rotation, with multiple interesting prospects as potential options ready at some point next season.