The case for keeping (or not) Zach Plesac and Aaron Civale

 OK, to switch gears, as thinking about the Nolan Jones trade continues to rankle me, let's talk one of the other conversations that is rattling around the hot stove league: do the Guardians need to get more starting pitching?

I know I could do weeks of research looking at but let's break it down simply in terms of WAR.  Plesac and Civale were so bad they each had a negative WAR (-0.8) 

So, the case could easily be made that we could do better.

But here's the rub.  In order to improve at the #4 and #5 starter we would have to give up assets in a trade or lots of money to a free agent.  

The question is, in Cleveland, is it worth it?

To me, the answer is no for 3 reasons:

• Civale and Plesac are the #4 and #5 starters.  They had career lows in WAR in 2022 so there should be some bounce-back this year, maybe into the 1-1.5 WAR range for each of them n 2023.  They are NOT Tanner Tulley, they are NOT Konnor Pilkington.  Civale and Plesac are seasoned starters, Cleveland veterans and will not make a lot of money in arbitration.  In fact, it is easy to assume that ONE starting pitcher who is a quality #4 starter acquired in free agency is likely to make more than both Plesac and Civale together. 
• We have guys in the minors on the way.  It is really possible that Battenfield (if not lost to the Rule 5), Xzavion Curry, Hunter Gaddis, Gavin Williams, Joey Cantillo, Logan Allen, Tanner Burns and Tanner Bibee could be ready around the all-star break next year.  Pilkington is always there as a stop gap until these guys are ready.
• We have more pressing needs that we need to apply resources (money, prospects) to, specifically at catcher and 1B/DH.  

Folks, this is not like collecting baseball cards.  Starting Aaron Civale as your #4 and Zach Plesac as your #5 does not kill this team and, with the limited resources we have and the fact that there are GAPING holes elsewhere that dwarf Plesac and Civale, my vote is that, especially with this FO, we don't apply resources to starting pitching.  

I say roll the dice and go with Plesac and Civale, knowing we have superior replacements on the way in case these two falter or get hurt.