Guardians make move in an attempt to bolster their elite bullpen

Everyone knows that a baseball team can never have too much pitching. Whether it is the starting rotation or the bullpen, a properly run organization knows when to take a chance on someone to solidify that group, and that just so happens to be what the Cleveland Guardians were able to accomplish on Friday.

According to a report from The Athletic's Chander Rome, the Guardians agreed to a minor league deal with former Houston Astros reliever Parker Mushinski, and he has received an invite to Spring Training. Even though that is on the opposite end of the offseason cycle, it does seem noteworthy that they have identified Mushinski as someone they want with them in Arizona this far out from Spring Training.

Mushinski has made 31 appearances over three seasons with the Astros, allowing 20 runs (22 total) while striking out 26 in 33 innings. It is not a particularly large major league sample size or an impressive one, for that matter, but there must be something in his pitching profile that they like and believe they can get the most out of him. Perhaps a slight adjustment to his pitch mix or overall approach on the mound could make him more effective than he has been. There has to be something they see in Mushinski to bring him into the mix, and their past track record of success with their pitching staff has earned them the benefit of the doubt in this situation.

Some may wonder if Mushinski has a chance of making the Guardians out of Spring Training, but there is one trait he possesses that some of the more electric arms do not, he is left-handed. While the Guardians do have a few other left-handed options (Tim Herrin, Erik Sabrowski, Joey Cantillo), ensuring you have the best grouping of southpaws available to you is always a good decision. If Mushinski can find a way to be productive, it would just be the latest in a long line of players they have picked up for next to nothing that has contributed to their teamwide success.