Cleveland Guardians trade chatter: 3 pitchers team should trade for now

The Cleveland Guardians are on a five-game losing streak, which has seen the club tumble out of first place.

Being a young team, there’s bound to be inconsistent play, but fortunately, the trade deadline can shore up some issues.

While the Guards need a clean-up bat and a relief pitcher, you could make the argument the rotation could use a boost. Aaron Civale is back from injury, but we don’t yet know which way his career will trend. Triston McKenzie has been really bad lately.

Bottom line: The rotation can be good, but it certainly could use a booster shot. These three players were recently floated by the The Athletic’s Jim Bowden and Zack Meisel (sub required) as arms the Guardians could acquire.

1. Cleveland Guardians target? Luis Castillo, Cincinnati Reds

Castillo is 2-4 with a 3.71 ERA. He’s a former All-Star (2019) and there’s no way he can fit into the Reds’ long-term plans, as the Reds scale things back from a payroll standpoint.

The Guardians and Reds have done business before. They talked about a Jesse Winker trade before the season, but Cleveland didn’t want to take on the contract of third baseman Eugenio Suarez.

I always thought Amed Rosario would be dealt to Cincinnati. Maybe it’s still a possibility, although he would not be the center piece of the trade from Cincinnati’s standpoint.

2. Cleveland Guardians target? Frankie Montas, Oakland A’s

The A’s ace is 3-7, but has a 3.21 ERA. The right-hander has a WAR of 1.3. Oakland is going nowhere and will look to cash him in for prospects.

The problem: He has 1 1/2 years left on his deal. I can’t foresee Cleveland being able to keep him long term. Plus, I think the front office is playing with house money this season. If the young team makes the playoffs, great.

That said, it’s next year when the contention clock starts.

3. Cleveland Guardians target? Pablo Lopez, Miami Marlins

When it comes to players, the Guardians covet control and that’s Lopez, who has 2 1/2 years remaining until he hits free agency.  Lopes is 5-4 with a 2.98 ERA.

While Lopez will command more because he’s under contract longer, Meisel argues that he wouldn’t be that much more than someone like Montas, who has just 1 1/2 years remaining.