Why Guardians are trading for Nationals' Foster Griffin despite their already strong rotation

The Cleveland Guardians made two big trades on MLB trade deadline day, addressing two different parts of the roster. Their first move was the acquisition of Jo Adell to improve their offense with a power-hitting righty.

Later, around half-an-hour before the deadline passed, the Guardians, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, acquired Foster Griffin from the Washington Nationals.

But, with an already strong rotation, why did the Guardians make this trade? It's simple: the Guardians are shooting to build a World Series-caliber starting rotation.

Why Guardians are trading for Foster Griffin

"Breaking: The Nationals are trading All-Star LHP Foster Griffin to the Guardians, per source," Feinsand reports.

This is an interesting deal for the Guardians, as they are bolstering what is already a strong starting rotation.

Griffin, this season for the Nationals, after three years pitching in Japan from 2023-2025, has a 3.06 ERA in 22 starts and was an All-Star for the NL team.

He has posted an impressive 12-3 record with 3.5 bWAR, and is a legitimately good starting pitcher on a very cheap one-year contract.

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The 57-56 Guardians are improving their rotation even more, adding Griffin to Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, and Parker Messick to form a great four-man rotation.

Come the postseason, teams need four good starting pitcher options, with a fifth and sixth option a luxury at best. Joey Cantillo and Slade Cecconi have now moved down a slot in the rotation order, with one set to move to the bullpen.

This trade for the Guardians, despite their already strong rotation, helps to fortify a strength into what could be a superpower come the postseason.

Griffin to the Guardians is an interesting trade, and it gives Cleveland a very strong rotation, while also bolstering their bullpen depth,

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