Guardians considered among top five landing spots for White Sox starter

It is almost the middle of June, and the Cleveland Guardians sit atop the American League Central division with a 43-22 record while holding a 5.5-game lead over the Kansas City Royals. While they have been carried by their offensive resurgence, their starting rotation is clearly in need of some help, and a potential arm to add to the mix was recently identified by Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer.

Rymer put together a list of White Sox SP Garrett Crochet's Top Landing Spots amid MLB Trade Rumors, and this includes the Guardians. Cleveland comes in as the number four landing spot in this list, ahead of division rival Minnesota, who is ranked fifth. The proposed trade from Rymer, which sees Cleveland receive Crochet, does include one of the Guardians' top prospects, Chase DeLauter. 

" Cleveland Guardians get LHP Garrett Crochet; Chicago White Sox get OF Chase DeLauter (Guardians No. 1, MLB No. 28), OF Jaison Chourio (Guardians No. 3, MLB No. 97)"

While parting ways with DeLauter would hurt, there are two things the Guardians must consider here. First off, do they genuinely believe in their chances over the next two-plus seasons (the years before Crochet becomes a free agent) that they will be able to make a deep postseason run? Secondly are the concerns about DeLauter's injury history. DeLauter has again landed on the injured list, making it more than fair to wonder if he will ever turn into the player the Guardians hope he can be. The good news for Cleveland in this scenario is that DeLauter is still young and has time on his side, the White Sox may be willing to take on what could be an everyday player for them in the future that aligns better with their current competitive timeline.

Crochet has been outstanding for the White Sox in his first year as a starter, compiling a 3.33 ERA, 0.925 WHIP, and recording a major league-leading 12.3 strikeouts per nine innings, he could be exactly what the Guardians need to round out their rotation.

The Guardians have managed to get by with a breakout year from veteran Ben Lively, in addition to Tanner Bibee picking up where he left off last season and inconsistent yet sometimes serviceable outings from Logan Allen and Carlos Carrasco. Cleveland's need for another starter nearly became immediate this past week, as Livelywas forcedto leave his last start early due to upper and lower body tightness. Luckily, Lively is fine and is expected to make his next start this weekend. That, however, does not mean that they stand pat with their current group of starters. Adding someone of Crochet's caliber would help solidify their rotation and make this a more stable and dependable group come October.