CLEVELAND — As the MLB trade deadline approaches on Aug. 1, many have figured that it's a case of not "if" but rather "when" the Cleveland Guardians will trade one of their starting pitchers.
But according to one report, the Guardians' recent run may have given Cleveland pause when it comes to a potential trade.
Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, Jon Morosi of the MLB Network stated that "While rival clubs are showing interest in Cleveland’s starting pitchers, the Guardians aren’t certain to move any of them." Morosi noted that Cleveland's reluctance to part with one or more of its starting pitchers is likely due to the team's 17-13 record since June 1, which has the Guardians sitting just one game behind the Minnesota Twins for first place in the American League Central Division.
As for which starter Cleveland could trade, the most obvious candidate is the team's ace, Shane Bieber. With 2024 being the final season that the 2020 American League Cy Young Award winner is under team control with the Guardians, the upcoming deadline could prove to be a pivotal point for his trade value, as any team acquiring him would have him for the 2023 postseason, as well as the 2024 campaign.
Cleveland's front office followed a similar strategy when dealing Trevor Bauer in 2019 and Mike Clevinger in 2020. It is worth noting, however, that the then-Indians opted not to deal Corey Kluber until he had just one year of team control remaining on his contract following the 2019 campaign.
As for the other pitchers on the Guardians' roster, it's conceivable that Cleveland could also field offers for Aaron Civale and Cal Quantrill. While Triston McKenzie's potential season-ending injury could complicate matters, the Guardians have debuted a trio of highly touted starters in Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams and Logan Allen.