Guardians-Marlins trade idea sends former Cy Young winner to Cleveland

The Cleveland Guardians could use a starting pitching upgrade ahead of the trade deadline on July 31.

The starting rotation is decent but without Shane Bieber, Cleveland is missing an ace-caliber starter.

Cameron Zunkel of ClutchPoints suggests a trade for 2022 National League Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara could elevate the Guardians rotation and their playoff chances.

Alcantara, 29, isn’t having a good season but he looks more like himself over his last four starts.

Overall, the two-time All-Star is 4-8 with a 6.69 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP in 15 starts. In four June starts, Alcantara is 2-1 with a 2.74 ERA and 19 strikeouts to five walks.

“On the season, starting pitchers for the Guardians are 15th in ERA, and 24th in WHIP,” wrote Zunkel. “Cleveland’s starters have not pitched great this season, so adding an arm like Alcantara would help them make that playoff push.”

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At 40-38, Cleveland is in a tough spot. They are eight-and-a-half games back from the Detroit Tigers for first place in the American League Central but sit just a half-game back from the third AL wild card spot.

The Guardians could buy at the deadline and get an impact bat and a couple pitching upgrades, or they can conservatively sell a few pieces and regroup for next season.

Cleveland has several good pieces that can be moved but in a tight Wild Card race, they will probably try to make a postseason run.

Look for Cleveland to be active in some way at the trade deadline.

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