3 things the Cleveland Guardians need to work on fixing for 2023

By Chad Porto | Oct 19, 2022

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 16: Fans look on during the eighth inning in game four of the American League Division Series between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on October 16, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 16: Cal Quantrill #47 of the Cleveland Guardians delivers to Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees during the third inning in game four of the American League Division Series at Progressive Field on October 16, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

The back of the rotation

This is a two-fold conversation. I, for one, don’t believe Aaron Civale is as bad as some people do. Yes, his Game 5 outing was heartbreaking and he did struggle at times to start the season but he put together some really good baseball down the stretch. The same goes for Zach Plesac. He’s not the guy you want at the top of the rotation but he can eat up innings and do some damage against good lineups.

That said, both guys could reasonably be traded to further improve the team. That wouldn’t be the worst idea either, especially pertaining to Plesac. You could probably get a real hitter for him, and not just an Adam Dunn-type hitter, who hits 40 home runs and strikes out 200+ times, while only finishing with 100 hits.

If the trade route is the way to go, the Guardians would be wise to maybe go get an aging vet, like say a reunion with Corey Kluber. Someone who can come in for a nice affordable price, while also being able to provide a reliability throughout the season.

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