The Cleveland Guardians Shouldn't Be Criticized For Waiver Wire Additions

The Cleveland Guardians added RHP Lucas Giolito, LHP Matt Moore, and RHP Reynaldo Lopez off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels as they look to reach the 2023 MLB Playoffs.

The Cleveland Guardians shocked Major League Baseball as they added three solid veteran pitchers on Thursday afternoon. ESPN's Jeff Passan broke the news that the organization claimed RHP Lucas Giolito, LHP Matt Moore, and RHP Reynaldo Lopez off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels.

However, many of the comments underneath the original tweet criticized Cleveland for taking advantage of this opportunity and not letting the players fall further to other contenders. Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports even tweeted that the Guardians' acquisitions of these players signaled "strange times" in the organization. In reality, the moves make a ton of sense. 

Any qualms fans have about Cleveland acquiring these players shouldn't be with the Guardians, but rather the Angels who released them to begin with. The Guardians simply saw a need on their roster and claimed players that were available to fill it. 

It all comes back to the injuries to the starting rotation which started before the season even began. Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie, Cal Qauntrill, Aaron Civale (before he was traded), and Peyton Battenfield (before he was DFA'd) all spent time on the IL at some point this season.

The Guardians do have a number of fantastic rookie starting pitchers Logan Allen, Tanner Bibee, and Gavin Williams. However, they are all soaring past previous total innings pitched in a season and one of them already had an injury scare.

Even if Cleveland was 10.0 games out of first place it would make sense for them to pick up a veteran pitcher of Giolito's caliber to help them get to the finish line. But the team is picking up momentum sitting just 5.0 games back from the Twins and the ex-Angel could help them reach the playoffs. 

Aug 15, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Lucas Giolito (24) in action during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

It's a similar story for the bullpen. 

The relievers have been called on to pitch a number of innings due to the rookies in the rotation not getting super deep into games. Cleveland's relievers have already logged 480.2 innings into 2023 which sits at the middle of MLB's ranks. 

Why would they pass up on a couple more solid arms to help an already-gassed bullpen?

It's not the Guardians' job to make sure the best available players make it to a World Series contender. Their job is to improve their roster and protect the players that are on it no matter what point of the season it is.

As Chris Antonetti said, it's not every day an organization has the opportunity to add three players with this much talent a day before September. The Guardians realized this opportunity and they took advantage of it. 

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Read More:

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Photo Credit © Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports