With MLB Spring Training underway, all eyes are on the Cleveland Guardians as they look to build off their impressive ALCS run last year, and stay competitive in a tightly-contested AL Central. With new additions to the team and key shifts in the roster, the Guardians have plenty to prove. The question remains: Can the team return to form and make another push for October, or will they falter under the pressure of a tough division?
The Guardians front office was busy during the offseason, making several trades and roster signings. However, two notable trades stand out: sending away Platinum Glove second baseman Andrés Giménez, as well as star first baseman Josh Naylor.
In early December, the team decided to send Giménez along with RHP Nick Sandlin to the Toronto Blue Jays in a three-team swap with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In return, Cleveland received several minor league prospects, as well as RHP Luis Ortiz, who will likely be featured in the Guardians starting rotation this year. Ortiz boasts a career 3.93 ERA and will look to improve a Cleveland starting rotation that has struggled in recent years. However, parting with Giménez, one of the best fielders in the league, could come back to haunt the Guardians front office if Ortiz doesn’t pan out as an asset in the starting rotation.
The other notable offseason trade for the Guards was sending 1B Josh Naylor to the Arizona Diamondbacks a little over a week after the Giménez trade. Naylor, 27, had been with the team for five seasons, and was a mainstay in Cleveland’s lineup, even becoming an All-Star for the first time last season. In return, the Guardians received a 2025 Competitive Balance Round B Draft pick along with RHP Slade Cecconi. Cecconi, 25, has a career 6.06 ERA in two seasons with Arizona. This trade seems to be very controversial among Cleveland fans, with some praising it, given Naylor only had one year left on his contract. However, others argue giving up one of the backbones of the team’s offense is too risky, and could put Cleveland in jeopardy this season.
Moving on to free-agent signings, the Guardians made a plethora of moves over the offseason, looking to improve their losses in trades and free agency. With Naylor off to Arizona, the team brought back veteran 1B Carlos Santana, a gold glover who spent his first 7 seasons in Cleveland. They also brought in several relief pitchers to boost their bullpen; a bullpen that was the league’s best last year. These arms include RHP’s Paul Sewald and Jakob Junis. Recently, the team signed LHP John Means, who is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery and will look to join the team around the middle of the season.
Looking forward to the season, it will be interesting to see if the Guardians can recreate the spark that helped them reach October under Manager Stephen Vogt. Vogt, in his first year as manager, earned Manager of the Year after leading the Guardians to one of the top records in the league. Cleveland will look to count on stars José Ramirez and Steven Kwan to lead the offense, and young star Tanner Bibee to lead the rotation while star pitcher Shane Bieber remains injured.
The big question marks for the team are in 2B and RF. The Guardians have several options in RF, including Jhonkensy Noel, who proved to be a powerful hitter in his rookie season last year, along with Will Brennan, who has fielded well but hasn’t been able to find a spark at the plate. Another potential option lies in Chase Delauter. Delauter, 23, has solid power at the plate along with above-average defensive skills. However, staying healthy has been an issue for him, and has prevented him from cracking the Major League roster. Second base is also a problem spot for Cleveland after losing Giménez. There are several names in the mix, including Gabrial Arias, Tyler Freeman, Angel Martínez, Daniel Schneeman, and young star Juan Brito. Another intriguing name at second base is Travis Bazzana, who the Guardians selected as the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft. While Bazzana will not make the opening-day roster, there is a possibility he makes it up to the major leagues toward the end of the season. Despite all of this, there is no clear pick for opening day starter for 2B or RF, and it is likely Vogt will make his decision based on performances in Spring Training.
While the Guardians did send away several core players to the team, they also made a flurry of moves in free agency, and have lots of young players with huge potential. Time will tell if Cleveland has the firepower to compete in the tough AL Central division this year, a division that includes promising young teams like the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals.
