3 Cleveland Guardians players who do not deserve to be back in 2024

Cleveland Guardians v Tampa Bay Rays
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3. Lucas Giolito

There was a time when the prospect of having Lucas Giolito in a team's rotation was a promising one. Unfortunately, that has not been the case as the 2023 season comes to a close.

While Giolito looked to have bounced back early on, with a 3.79 ERA and 1.223 WHIP in 21 games for the Chicago White Sox, the wheels fell off once he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels. Giolito struggled, allowing 25 runs in 32.2 innings with 34 strikeouts and 15 walks in his brief tenure on the west coast.

Cleveland took a chance on Giolito, claiming him on waivers along with two of his teammates (Reynaldo Lopez and Matt Moore). Giolito's numbers are slightly better but still not impressive by any means, giving up 14 runs on 19 hits, including seven home runs, in just 22.1 innings with the Guardians. The change of scenery in both cases could be to blame, as it is notable that his performance declined once being traded from Chicago. With that being said, 36 runs (42 total) in 49.2 innings is less than ideal.

There are two more things to consider when it comes to whether or not it would be wise to keep Giolito. Cleveland saw the emergence of three rookies in their rotation this year, which they will lean on moving forward. The trio of Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, and Logan Allen is clearly the future of the Guardians' pitching staff.

Additionally, Shane Bieber has one year of arbitration remaining, while Triston McKenzie is just entering his arbitration eligible years. There is the possibility that Bieber is moved this winter, opening up a spot for someone else, possibly Giolito. But it is much more likely that Bieber will be moved during the year considering the time he has missed this season. This means that there may not be an opening in Cleveland's rotation until some time in the middle of the season, making it hard to envision a scenario where Giolito returns.

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