Trade: Guardians Acquire Pitching Help From Marlins

The Cleveland Guardians and Miami Marlins have swung a deal, with the Guards obtaining some pitching depth, in the arm of right-hander Darren McCaughan who was just designated for assignment this past weekend.

The #Guardians traded for right-hander Darren McCaughan, sending cash to the Miami Marlins. pic.twitter.com/ZolBCiWAfd
— Cleveland Sports Talk (@CLEsportsTalk) May 9, 2024

Cleveland sends cash to Miami in return.

It's the second time this year that the 28-year-old was DFA'd, as the Seattle Mariners did the same in February. McCaughan has had just a handful of innings at the major league level, in each of the last couple of years.

In 132 starts across seven minor league seasons, he holds a 4.48 ERA. He was DFA'd after being called up to the Marlins last week and in his only action, pitched 4.2 innings in a blowout loss in which he surrendered an ugly eight runs on nine hits and three walks.

The Guardians are obviously desperate for some pitching depth for the organization, as they are hurting due to injury issues. Shane Bieber is out for more than a year after undergoing Tommy John surgery earlier this season, while Gavin Williams was just transferred to the 60-day IL and has been out all year with elbow soreness.

McCaughan relies on mostly breaking stuff and has a fastball/sinker that tops out at 88 mph. As a starter in the minors, he'll act as a depth option for Cleveland if they have to deal with more injury issues in the rotation.