4 Cleveland Guardians position battles to watch in spring training

3. Back of rotation starters

Cleveland's starting rotation is very much top-heavy, with Tanner Bibee leading the way and Gavin Williams slotting in behind him. The problem is there are plenty of questions once going beyond these two.

Triston McKenzie, Ben Lively, Logan Allen, Joey Cantillo, and Luis Ortiz figure to be in the mix to round out the rest of Cleveland's rotation, and this a grouping that does not strike fear into the hearts of opposing hitters, at least not in their current form.

Lively seems primed to be in an innings-eater role again, as this proved to be very useful to Cleveland's depleted rotation last year. That leaves McKenzie, Allen, Cantillo, and Ortiz fighting for spots. Both McKenzie and Allen appear to be at a crossroads of sorts, as they were both sent down to Triple-A due to their performances last season. If they are unable to prove they are markedly better than how they performed last season, their chances of a spot in the rotation become less likely.

Ortiz should have a legitimate shot at a rotation spot, as he did take some strides last season in Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Cantillo looks like an outside candidate who would get a chance if anyone else is incapable of pitching well enough or an arm goes down with an injury.

It's pretty safe to assume that everyone would feel a lot more comfortable about Cleveland's rotation if they can get definitive answers on these arms in spring rather than having to wait to see how things play out in the regular season.