5 free agents the Cleveland Guardians should consider for Shane Bieber's vacant rotation spot

4. Zach Thompson

A couple of years ago, it seemed like the Miami Marlins had a late-bloomer on their hands, as a then 27-year-old Zach Thompson pitched very well in his first season in the majors. Thompson would end up with a 3.24 ERA, 1.213 WHIP, and 7.9 strikeouts per nine. It appeared that Thompson could be a serviceable arm for the Marlins, but it would not last.

A trade that following offseason saw Miami send Thompson and two others to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Jacob Stallings, and his success the previous year did not follow him to his new home. Thompson struggled with the Pirates, finishing his lone season in Pittsburgh with a 5.18 ERA and 1.512 WHIP, alongside a decrease in strikeout frequency to 6.7 per nine innings.

Thompson was traded yet again, this time to the Toronto Blue Jays, but would not make a major league appearance for the organization, eventually becoming a free agent following the 2023 season.

Taking on Thompson would definitely be a reclamation project of sorts, considering he has not been able to match his initial run of success in Miami. But if the Guardians are looking for a low-risk guy to take a chance on, Thompson could be an option.