Angels instability could give Guardians great chance to turn their rotation in MLB’s best

At the end of August, the Cleveland Guardians took advantage of the Los Angeles Angels restructuring when they acquired outfielder Jo Adell in exchange for minor league catcher Jacob Cozart. It may not have been the biggest deal of the deadline, but it was a clear sign the Angels were ready to change the way they operated after they spent seven years sitting on the fence under former general manager Perry Minasian. 

Now the offseason is here and the Guardians have an even better opportunity to benefit from the Angels’ sudden interest in tearing down thanks to starting pitcher Reid Detmers. The Guardians may still need a couple more bats in their lineup (when haven’t they needed that?), but a trade for Detmers could help make Cleveland’s rotation one of the most dangerous weapons in all of baseball. 

Reid Detmers would be a great fit in the Guardians’ starting rotation

Detmers, 27, made his debut for the Angels and is coming off the best season of his career when he posted a 3.36 ERA in 185 innings. While that season would be impressive no matter what, it meant a little more to Detmers considering the path his career has gone on. 

The Angels promoted him midway through the 2021 season after just 14 minor league appearances, and he showed his potential a year later when he pitched a no-hitter against the Rays. 

He had an okay 2023, but was demoted to Triple-A midway through 2024 after he posted a 6.49 ERA in 12 starts. The Angels shifted him to the bullpen in 2025, but they moved him back to the rotation last season and he rewarded the Angels with a career year. He got sharper as the season went on, as he finished the year with a 1.89 ERA in 13 starts after the All-Star break. 

The biggest reason Detmers was able to take a huge step last season was a nearly three percent dip in his walk rate along with a continued reliance on his curveball (unless he was pitching against Angel Martínez). 

Detmers’ looping career means that he only has two years of club control remaining, which presents a double-edged sword for the Guardians (and every other interested team). That (relatively) limited amount of club control means he’s not going to be as attractive as a player with more club control remaining, but it also means the Angels are going to have to ask for less in free agency. He’s projected to make $7.5 million in 2027 via arbitration, so it’s not like he’s going to break the bank either. 

Adding Detmers would give the Guardians a great trio at the top of their rotation with Gavin Williams, Messick and Detmers while also having a solid No. 4 in Tanner Bibee (assuming he isn’t traded). 

The Guardians would still need to score runs to win (as we saw with Bibee last season), but trading for Detmers would allow for the Guardians to make their biggest advantage even better. 

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