Intriguing trade idea has Guardians acquiring a starting pitcher from Texas

By now, everyone is very well aware of the issues with the starting rotation of the Cleveland Guardians. While they have been carried by the combo of Tanner Bibee and Ben Lively for most of this season, there are some concerns with the latter as he has seen his effectiveness wane in recent starts. Even if he was still pitching at the same level as he was earlier this season, Cleveland was going to need some help in their rotation, and one recent suggestion could be just what the Guardians need at this time.

Coming by way of Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller is this intriguing trade proposal between the Guardians and Texas Rangers. Miller suggests that the Guardians could send pitching prospect Will Dion to Texas in exchange for either Andrew Heaney or Michael Lorenzen. The relatively unknown deadline plans of the Rangers, combined with the returns of two other arms, could make Heaney and/or Lorenzen somewhat expendable. 

It's unclear at this point whether the Rangers will be buying or selling at the deadline. However, in an ideal, healthy world, neither of these impending free agents is going to be part of their September rotation anyway, once both Tyler Mahle and Jacob deGrom return from their respective Tommy John rehabs.

Both Heaney and Lorenzen will be free agents after the year, meaning that an acquisition of either one would be rentals, a proposition that is more than fine at this time. But of the two arms named here, Heaney would be preferable, given his higher strikeout rate and the fact he is a left-handed pitcher to throw into their rotation. The only other player who currently fits that description would be Logan Allen, who is currently trying to correct some issues down in Triple-A.

Neither player is a star-caliber arm by any means, but any and all hopes of swinging a deal for an elite arm at the deadline have pretty much gone out the window at this point. With that being said, this would be a deal where the primary focus would be on stabilizing their rotation and improving the overall talent floor of this group, something that either player can accomplish.