4 new arms who could impact Guards' rotation in 2025

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Guardians reached the ALCS last season despite very little going as planned/hoped in the rotation. It took some salvation from midseason signee Matthew Boyd to keep things afloat down the stretch.

With Boyd (and fellow in-season veteran acquisition Alex Cobb) having departed in free agency, the questions in this rotation became more pronounced. The Guards were able to retain staff ace Shane Bieber during his recovery from Tommy John surgery, but he won¡¯t be available until midyear. They hope that Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen bounce back strong from their 2024 woes, that first-rounder Gavin Williams reaches his ceiling after last year¡¯s injury and inconsistency, that veteran Ben Lively can continue to delivery quality innings in support of No. 1 starter Tanner Bibee, that a prospect like lefty Doug Nikhazy (No. 25) can pop. But this is a group loaded with uncertainty.

So the question at the outset of spring camp, which began with the first formal workout for pitchers and catchers on Thursday, is whether this club has done enough to externally address its inevitable rotation needs.

As possible options like Nick Pivetta and Cal Quantrill came off the board this week, the Guards reported to camp having acquired four outside arms who could impact the rotation immediately or in time.

Because this organization has a strong track record of maximizing the value of imported pitchers, it¡¯s worth exploring those arms here.

1. Luis Ortiz, RHP
Age: 26
Acquired: From the Pirates in the three-team trade that sent Andr¨¦s Gim¨¦nez to Toronto

Ortiz is big (6-foot-2, 235 pounds) and imposing, with long arm action and tree-trunk thighs he uses to generate 95 mph averages with his four-seamer and sinker. He had his first real taste of big league success last year, shifting from the bullpen to the rotation and posting a 126 ERA+ (26% better than league average) in 135 2/3 innings.

But to date, he¡¯s struggled with command, generating below-average strikeout and walk rates. Last year, he mostly scrapped his changeup while upping his use of the cutter. The Guards want him utilizing his full repertoire.

¡°I¡¯m back to being my full self and throwing everything I want to throw,¡± Ortiz said through interpreter Agustin Rivero. ¡°They¡¯ve made it clear to me they want me to be the best version of myself.¡±

Said manager Stephen Vogt: ¡°He could just be hitting his stride.¡±

2. Slade Cecconi, RHP
Age: 25
Acquired: From the Diamondbacks in the Josh Naylor trade

The Guardians moved an All-Star bat (and a good chunk of change) to land an intriguing project in Cecconi, who has struggled so far in the Majors (6.06 ERA in 104 innings).

Cecconi has a lively fastball that¡¯s been torched (.329 average, .582 slugging percentage last season) by big league batters.

¡°We¡¯ve cleaned up some mechanics,¡± Cecconi said. ¡°I¡¯ve also developed a couple new pitches -- different versions of the fastball, one that goes left and one that goes right. It should be fun and open up some stuff.¡±

3. Vince Velasquez, RHP
Age: 32
Acquired: Minor League free agent with a spring invite

Over the course of nine big league seasons, Velasquez carved out a reputation as a solid back-end rotation option or swingman, but he missed most of 2023 and all of '24 following surgery on his ulnar collateral ligament.

Velasquez spoke earnestly and excitedly about benefiting from seeing the battle between pitcher and hitter from a different perspective.

¡°When I was throwing bullpens midsummer [last year],¡± Velasquez said, ¡°I had a couple scouts come out and I told them, ¡®What you have labeled on your paper is not what I am now.¡¯ I¡¯ve definitely evolved as a pitcher and learned how to strategize and sequence and put things together.¡±

4. Kolby Allard, LHP
Age: 27
Acquired: Minor League free agent with a spring invite

Outrighted by the Phillies, Allard opted for free agency and valued what the Guardians have done with pitchers in the past. He¡¯s out of Minor League options, so the club will have to make a decision on him between now and the end of camp.

Back in 2019, Allard showed flashes of potential in a handful of starts with the Rangers, but his 272 big league innings have resulted in a 5.99 ERA. He feels Philadelphia had him focused too much on strength training and not enough on his natural athleticism.

¡°I¡¯m getting back to more of my younger self,¡± Allard said. ¡°Incorporating a little more athleticism into my delivery to squeeze out another tick or two [of velocity].¡±