The Cleveland Guardians were only a few games shy from reaching the World Series last season, which has added to the urgency this offseason.
To advance to the next stage, the team had to make a few obvious adjustments.
Despite being so close, the team’s offseason has been very quiet.
With weeks until pitchers and catchers report for spring training, the organization is still being persuaded to add one free agency pitcher.
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report recently released an article outlining one feasible option for each team to sign in free agency.
He’d like to see the Guardians sign left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough.
“The Guardians had to rely on Alex Cobb and Matthew Boyd to start postseason games last year, and while they’ve added Luis L. Ortiz and will have a healthy Shane Bieber back at some point, adding more rotation depth would be prudent. Yarbrough has been an effective swingman throughout his career, so he can serve a mass relief role while waiting in the wings for when a rotation spot becomes available,” Reuter said. Yarbrough had 44 appearances for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays last season, recording one of his greatest seasons with a 3.19 ERA in 98.2 innings of work.
He recently turned 33 and is unlikely to cost much or need a long-term commitment, which is ideal for
A thrifty contender, such as the Guardians.
It’s not a significant necessity, but the team could use some more depth in the rotation given the uncertainty surrounding Shane Bieber, who re-signed on a two-year contract and is recuperating from Tommy John surgery. It’s not the enormous splash many fans had hoped for, but it’s becoming evident that type of move isn’t going to happen, and Yarbrough would be a valuable addition to an already strong pitching staff.
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