The Cleveland Guardians have completed a trade to bolster their pitching staff, acquiring right-handed pitcher Spencer Howard from the San Francisco Giants, as reported by Shayna Rubin of The San Francisco Chronicle. In exchange for Howard, the Guardians will send cash considerations to the Giants, finalizing the transaction.
The Guardians issued an official statement announcing the trade and welcoming Howard to the organization.
Recently designated for assignment by the Giants, Howard’s tenure in San Francisco during the 2024 season included seven appearances, including two starts. He compiled a 1-1 record with a 5.63 ERA, allowing 33 hits and tallying 21 strikeouts across 24 innings of work.
Howard, 27 years old, initially broke into Major League Baseball with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020, where he was regarded as a promising prospect. During his debut season, he made six starts, finishing with a 1-2 record and a 5.92 ERA.
Subsequently traded to the Texas Rangers in the following season, Howard faced significant challenges, struggling to find consistency and posting underwhelming numbers. His 2021 campaign saw him register a winless record of 0-5 alongside a high 7.43 ERA across 19 appearances, including 15 starts, split between Philadelphia and Texas. His peripheral statistics, including a 4.72 FIP and a notably poor 1.93 strikeout-to-walk ratio, further underscored his difficulties.
Despite another opportunity with the Rangers in 2022, Howard continued to encounter adversity, recording a 2-4 record with a 7.41 ERA over 10 appearances, including eight starts. He subsequently transitioned to a bullpen role in 2023, making three appearances and yielding four runs in just 3.1 innings pitched.
With Cleveland currently facing a pressing need for starting pitching depth, the acquisition of Howard presents an opportunity for the Guardians to potentially revitalize his career. As a former second-round draft pick with initial promise, Howard’s acquisition comes with low risk for Cleveland, particularly considering the minimal cost involved in the trade with San Francisco.
The Guardians’ decision to pursue Howard reflects their strategic approach to addressing pitching deficiencies and seeking potential upside at a modest expense. Howard’s past potential and the opportunity to work within Cleveland’s pitching development framework may offer a pathway to rejuvenation for the talented but beleaguered pitcher.
In summary, the Guardians’ acquisition of Spencer Howard signifies their proactive stance in addressing pitching needs. As Howard joins the organization, Cleveland aims to capitalize on his past potential and provide him with a fresh opportunity to contribute positively to their pitching rotation. With the trade finalized, all eyes will be on Howard as he transitions to his new team and seeks to make an impact moving forward in the MLB season.