Guardians could make tough decision with former rotation staple as Sept. roster expansion nears

For the better part of the past two years, Slade Cecconi has been a staple of the Cleveland Guardians’ rotation. 

He may have never been the most consistent part of that rotation, but he still recorded 239 1/3 innings while showing some flashes of being a quality starter. 

But that time in the rotation came to what seemed like a temporary end at the beginning of August when the Guardians moved him to the bullpen after their trade for rental starter Foster Griffin. 

That lasted all of two appearances, however, as Cecconi went on the injured list at the beginning of August due to right arm fatigue that came about in part due to that move to the bullpen. 

On Sunday, Cecconi made his second rehab appearance at Triple-A Columbus, where he allowed two runs over two hits in 2 2/3 innings. He worked a scoreless inning in his first relief appearance last Tuesday. 

Although Cecconi still has enough time on his rehab assignment to make one more start, the Guardians have a clear opportunity to call him up tomorrow when the Guardians get two more roster spots. 

That sets up an interesting decision about Cecconi’s future, since both Stephen Vogt and Chris Antonetti said that the Guardians aren’t going to go to a six-man rotation. Whoever they call up, Cecconi or otherwise, is going to be working out of the bullpen. 

In theory Cecconi could be a solid weapon in that role given a move to the bullpen would allow for him to put a bit more on his pitches. He may not rack up a ton of strikeouts, but he pounds the zone (63% walk rate) and has two quality pitches in his cutter and sweeper. 

Those are two things that help every starter who makes the moves to the bullpen. 

But he’s not the only option the Guardians have to consider, as Daniel Espino, Franco Aleman, Yorman Gómez and Yorman Gómez in Triple-A. 

The Guardians may not have enough room on their roster for Slade Cecconi

Logic would point toward Espino or Aleman having the inside track, but Vogt went out of his way to mention Peterson when talking about the team’s options over the weekend. 

Another option (which we outlined yesterday) is the Guardians could send Logan Allen down to Triple-A and call up Cecconi or Peterson to take his place along and then add Espino or Aleman using the extra roster spot. 

The Guardians also have a doubleheader on Friday, so they could hold him back and add him as the 29th man to start one of those games. 

Even if the Guardians have won their trade for Cecconi by virtue of Josh Naylor only playing 93 games with the Diamondbacks, his time with Cleveland has been a bit of a disappointment since he hasn’t taken the leap that was expected of him. 

Perhaps a new role can change that. 

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