4 pitchers the Cleveland Guardians should target at the rapidly approaching MLB Trade Deadline

By now, everyone is very aware of how urgently the Cleveland Guardians need to address their starting rotation. It is hard to envision a group consisting of Tanner Bibee, Ben Lively, Carlos Carrasco, and Gavin Williams carrying this team into the postseason, considering that they have only had one consistent and dependable arm (Bibee). If the Guardians are going to genuinely go for it this season, they are going to need to add at least one starter at the upcoming MLB Trade Deadline. The following four options could be just what Cleveland needs to stabilize their rotation and set them up for a deep playoff run.

1. Luis Severino - New York Mets

It has been an impressive comeback season for Luis Severino following a lackluster final season in The Bronx pitching for the New York Yankees. Now a member of the New York Mets, Severino is back to pitching at the level he was when many tabbed him as the next great longtime Yankees starter. With a 3.58 ERA and 1.176 WHIP, Severino is going to have many suitors at the deadline should the Mets look to sell, a prospect that once seemed like a foregone conclusion that has now become somewhat questionable considering New York is in the National League Wild Card mix. Should the Mets fall back a bit, Cleveland should not hesitate to give them a call to try and work out a deal for Severino.

2. Frankie Montas - Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds are fading and are reportedly looking to be sellers at the trade deadline. Of players that could possibly be on the move, starting pitcher Frankie Montas has drawn the interest of contending teams. If the Reds are genuinely looking to trade Montas, the Guardians should be quick to inquire about acquiring his services.

Montas has compiled a 4.85 ERA and 1.360 WHIP in 89 innings for Cincinnatti this season. While these are not the most outstanding numbers, it should be noted that he has allowed three or fewer runs in 11 of his 17 non-abbreviated starts this season. Considering how dominant Cleveland's bullpen has been this season, adding someone into the starting mix that is more often than not going to provide this type of outing should result in plenty of chances to win games. Half of Montas' eight losses this season have come when he has put together a start fitting this description, making it easy to imagine how much different his season would look if there was a competent offense backing him.

Inserting Montas into Cleveland's current rotation configuration would help stabilize and solidify this group and put them in better position to win games consistently over the rest of the season.

3. Chris Bassitt - Toronto Blue Jays

It seems like it will only be a matter of time before the Toronto Blue Jays begin trading away players of note, and with the current state of the pitching market, they may be motivated to move Chris Bassitt. Being nearly 10 games out of the Wild Card race in the American League, Toronto looks the part of a clear trade deadline seller. If the Blue Jays are looking to adjust their competitive timeline, moving the 35-year-old Bassitt would be a wise decision, and the Guardians should be interested.

Bassitt has been very consistent throughout his career, compiling a 3.51 ERA and 1.217 WHIP in 10 major league seasons, and this year has been no different. With a 3.71 ERA and 1.421 WHIP in 114 innings, Bassitt continues to deliver when he is on the mound. Bassitt has pitched 6 or more innings in 10 of his 20 starts this season and has gone at least 5 in 18 games. The consistent length that Bassitt is able to provide would be a very welcome addition to the rotation of the Guardians, considering how infrequently they are able to pitch deep into a game. Bassitt would be able to take some much-needed pressure off the bullpen and not allow them to be overworked before the playoffs begin.