5 predictions for the Cleveland Guardians in the second half of the season

3. Guardians acquire impactful starting pitcher before the deadline

There has been plenty of speculation regarding how the Cleveland Guardians will approach the upcoming MLB Trade Deadline, but one thing is very clear to anyone who has paid attention to this team. They need to acquire an impactful starting pitcher to their rotation.

Tanner Bibee and Ben Lively have carried Cleveland's rotation through the first half of the season, and the recent return of Gavin Williams should help in the stabilization department moving forward. While this trio should be relied upon moving forward, the organization knows they have to do something of note if they are going to see their first-half success continue. Injuries and a decrease in effectiveness are always something to be concerned with, and they cannot afford to not address the rotation and see either one of these events occur.

Expect the Guardians to be in the mix for any and all impactful starters that could be acquired at the deadline. Cleveland has plenty of players with no clear path to the majors who can be moved to acquire a proven commodity to solidify their rotation for the postseason. Even though trading for someone like Garrett Crochet or Max Scherzer is pretty much off the table, Cleveland could still be able to get an impactful arm at the deadline from that next tier of available pitchers, and that is what should be expected before trades are no longer possible.