Five more helpings for Guardians’ overloaded offseason plate: The week in baseball
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The season is almost over. The Guardians trail the Twins by 6 1/2 games with 20 to play.
There is plenty to think about.
If Emmanuel Clase had converted half of his 10 blown saves into wins, a real stretch run would be unfolding at this moment in the AL Central. But to play that game, you have to consider where Cleveland would be without his MLB-leading 39 saves.
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Clase has been worked hard. He leads the big leagues with 81 saves and 143 appearances over the last two years. There are times when he pays a price for that.
He turned a 2-1 lead into a 3-2 loss to the Angels on Thursday. So it was good to see him rebound to get the save in Friday’s 6-3 win at Angel Stadium.
There is also the offense, or lack of offense, to consider.
The Guardians rank 13th in the AL and 28th in the big leagues with 576 runs. It should be pointed out that at this time last year they had scored only 14 more runs (590 to 576), but were 76-66 compared to 68-74.
Last year, however, the Guardians scored 108 runs over their last 20 games to finish 15th in scoring in the big leagues. This year’s team doesn’t seem capable of operating at that level.
But Clase and the offense are not the only things percolating with the Guardians. Here are five more subjects worthy of discussion:
No. 1. Who replaces Terry Francona as manager
Chris Antonetti, president of baseball operations, avoided the subject a few days ago. That’s understandable, but you can bet the search is on.
Just a hunch, but the new manager probably doesn’t work for the Guardians at this time. The big question is how much control the front office will have over the new hire?
They had to strike a balance with Francona because he had the resume and gave the franchise instant credibility when he was hired. That relationship is in its 11th season and still strong.
No. 2. The outfield
If the Guardians are going to build their outfield from the 40-man roster, they’re going a bolt from the blue. Right now they have Steve Kwan and two empty spots.
People say Kwan should be playing center field, but he won a Gold Glove for his play in left field for a reason and his defense has only gotten better. Maybe George Valera can help next year if he can stay healthy.
But they can’t go through another season like this with so little offensive production from the outfield.
Their left fielders rank 21st with a .704 OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage). Their center fielders rank 28th with .609 OPS and their right fielders rank 29th with a .602 OPS.
The Guards’ outfielders have combined to hit 16 homers ... through 142 games.
No. 3. The pitching
This has been a difficult season for the Guardians, but the organization certainly keeps getting it right when it comes to developing pitching.
What other organization could lose three key starters to injuries in Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie and Cal Quantrill and replace them with a couple of phone calls to the player development department?
Rookies Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams and Logan Allen saved the season. Let’s not forget Xzavion Curry, another rookie, for his work in the rotation and bullpen.
Bibee, an AL Rookie of the Year candidate, and Williams have front-of-the-rotation arms. Allen is a left-hander who is only going to get better. Curry is a strike-thrower who will take the ball in any situation.
It’s going to be fun to watch how the front office and the new manager and his coaching staff blend the old with the new in 2024. Bieber, a free agent after next season, could be traded this winter if a team thinks his sore right elbow is healthy. If not Cleveland has a former Cy Young winner to lead the rotation and, perhaps, move at the deadline.
McKenzie, who has made just two starts this season because of right shoulder and elbow problems, has the stuff to fit in nicely if he can stay healthy. Quantrill has already made two quality starts since coming off the injured list.
The surplus of arms could also lead to a trade. But as Antonetti and GM Mike Chernoff have found out over the last few years, even the Guardians can never have enough pitching.
No. 4. Will the Guardians go through another season with three catchers
This year’s roster has come in all shapes and sizes, but certainly carrying three catchers was the quirkiest of quirks. Can we settle this right now and give the starting job to Bo Naylor?
After that, the search for a backup can begin. The Guardians have used seven catchers this year -- Mike Zunino, Cam Gallagher, David Fry, Eric Haase, Meibrys Viloria, Zack Collins and Naylor.
No. 5. Is there a shortstop in the house
The Guardians have started six players at shortstop this season -- Amed Rosario, Gabriel Arias, Brayan Rocchio, Tyler Freeman and Jose Tena. Since Rosario was traded on July 26, Arias has been the regular shortstop.
He’s played well defensively and is starting to hit. In his last 14 games, Arias is hitting .291 (16 for 55) with two homers and six RBI. Overall, he’s hitting .218 (59 for 271) with nine homers and 21 RBI.
If he closes the season strong, Arias would probably go into spring training with the job. But the Guardians have plenty of options. One of them being Gold Glove second baseman Andres Gimenez.
Gimenez has had a disappointing season offensively following his breakout 2022 season, but his defense continues to shine. Don’t sleep on Rocchio either.
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