Why Guardians' Logan Allen could be the perfect trade sweetener this offseason

When you think of important pitchers on the Cleveland Guardians’ roster, it’s like the first one you think of isn’t Logan Allen. 

While Allen has put together two seasons where he’s been a slightly above-average starter, he’s easily been overshadowed in a Guardians rotation that features Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams and, more recently, Parker Messick and Slade Cecconi. 

But just because he hasn’t been an impact starter on the diamond doesn’t mean that he can’t help the Guardians make an impact this offseason. In fact, he may end up being the thing that helps Cleveland make a much-needed splash. 

The Guardians seem poised to be involved in plenty of trade talks this offseason as they look to address their bullpen and outfield, which unfortunately are some areas of need that plenty of other teams are also looking to address. 

And while the Guardians have enough prospects to remain competitive in almost every deal, they also possess Allen who could serve as a trade sweetener for a team looking for a pitcher who can serve as an innings eater. 

We got a reminder of that this week when The Athletic’s Katie Woo, Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal reported the Cardinals were seeking pitching depth in exchange for any of the trades for the veterans they’re dangling in talks. 

We already outlined how the Guardians are uniquely positioned to capitalize on the Cardinals’ fire sale, and the ability to include Allen in any deal would give them a leg up in most trade talks. 

Logan Allen could end up being the piece that pushes the Guardians ahead in trade talks 

The Cardinals aren’t necessarily going to rebuild as much as “retool,” so adding a cheap, MLB-ready starter in Allen would be a boon for them. 

Allen himself obviously wouldn’t get a deal done, but including him in the deal along with a group of prospects or assets could end up making a difference. 

Last season Allen posted a 4.25 ERA in 156 2/3 innings with the Guardians, but finished the year with a 3.22 ERA in the final month of the season. He’s never going to be the ace of a staff, but he’s a crafty lefty who is a solid No. 4 or 5 starter in a big league rotation.

He’s also left-handed, which could set up the possibility of him being a solid lefty relief ace as his career goes on. 

He spent most of the season as the Guardians’ No. 5 starter before being leapfrogged by Messick and Cantillo as the season went on (though he did finish the year as a part of Cleveland’s six-man rotation. 

With that rotation shifting back toward only having five members next season, Allen could be the odd man out. 

And the Cardinals aren’t the only team in baseball in need of starting pitching. Almost every team the Guardians would be doing a trade with would be a club that was either rebuilding or retooling, so they’d likely all benefit from adding an innings-eater like Allen into the fold. 

Trading Allen could potentially require another move to replenish some of the Guardians’ pitching depth since most of their pitching prospects are at least a year away from the bigs (outside of Khal Stephan), but Chris Antonetti and Co. have proven they can get creative when need be. 

Although Allen’s time with the Guardians has been a bit anticlimactic, he could still help the Guardians pull off some offseason fireworks.