What will Guardians’ opening day lineup look like in 2024? Hey, Hoynsie!
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Hey, Hoynsie: What’s your prediction for an the 2024 opening day lineup and starting rotation? -- Matt, Seattle.
Hey, Matt: One stipulation, let’s stick to internal candidates.
Here goes: LF Steven Kwan (L), 3B Jose Ramirez (S), 1B Josh Naylor (L), DH Jhonkensy Noel (R), C Bo Naylor (L), 2B Andres Gimenez (L), SS Gabriel Arias (R), CF Will Brennan (L) and RF RaCmon Laureano (R).
Rotation: Shane Bieber, if he isn’t traded, Triston McKenzie, Cal Quantrill, Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams. If Bieber is traded, lefty Logan Allen slots it.
It’s been suggested that Kwan should move to center field. I’ve got no problem with that, but I love his defense in left field. I know the above lineup isn’t that much different than the one that has underachieved this year, but you’ll get a full year from Bo Naylor and, hopefully, Josh Naylor. Plus you might be able to rotate hitters such as Oscar Gonzalez, Kyle Manzardo, Jonathan Rodriguez and George Valera through the DH spot.
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Hey Hoynsie: Have you ever covered a Cleveland Indians/Guardians team with a worse offense than the 2023 G’s? -- Doc, Tennessee.
Hey, Doc: I’ve covered teams that make the 2023 Guardians look like the 1927 Yankees. The 1991 Indians lost a franchise-record 105 games. They hit 79 homers and scored 576 runs for the entire season.
This year’s team gets a lot of grief for hitting the fewest homers in the big leagues and not scoring much. But they’ve hit 117 homers and scored 631 runs through 154 games this season.
The 1987 Indians, after appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated, lost 101 games. They were a better offense than this year’s edition. They hit 187 homers and scored 742 runs. The question is would you rather watch that team or one that was in contention going into the final nine games of the season?
Hey, Hoynsie: Why are the Guards giving at-bats to Ramon Laureano and Kole Calhoun when they probably won’t be on the team next year? Why don’t they call up some prospects from Triple-A Columbus? -- Baseball Fan, Bronx, N.Y.
Hey, Base: Six of Cleveland’s last nine games are against Baltimore and the Reds. The Orioles have already clinched a playoff spot, but are still trying to win the AL East. The Reds still have a chance to win a wild card spot in the NL.
The Guardians can’t use a lineup of rookies and prospects in those games. They have to go with their best players from a competitive standpoint.
Hey, Hoynsie: Will the front office have to wait until after the World Series to start interviewing for a new manager? -- John Kyle, Westfield Center, Ohio.
Hey, John: If a candidate’s team isn’t involved in the postseason, and the Guardians receive permission from his team, they can talk to him at any time.
Hey, Hoynsie: Any chance there could be something to the rumors about Chris Antonetti going to Boston as its head of baseball operations? -- Bill, Peoria, Ariz.
Hey, Bill: From what I’ve heard Antonetti is happy in Cleveland and has no intention of leaving. This isn’t the first time other organizations have showed interest in Antonetti, but this is his 25th year with the Indians/Guardians.
Hey, Hoynsie: I just noticed former Tribe outfielder Alex Cole passed away last month (Aug. 11). He didn’t do well after his successful rookie season in 1990, but do you have a favorite memory of Cole’s time here? -- Dave Bowers, Avon.
Hey, Dave: Cole had a strong season in 1990 and Hank Peters, the GM at the time, had a brainstorm. He changed the dimensions of the old stadium, erecting a the Great Wall of Cleveland across the outfield. The Indians said the new dimensions gave them the biggest outfield in baseball.
The idea was to let Cole chase down balls in center field and fill the gaps with doubles to take advantage of his speed on the bases. But in 1991, in a spring training game against the A’s, Cole slipped coming out of the box and dislocated his shoulder. He never regained his form and the Great Wall of Cleveland was taken down after one year.
RIP Alex Cole. Gone too soon at 57.
Hey, Hoynsie: With your recent visit to Columbus to see the Clippers, what did you think of the ABS system (automatic balls and strikes system). Do you think it will be in the big leagues soon? -- Jim Harris, Lancaster, Ohio.
Hey, Jim: I didn’t see it enough to have an opinion. But I was intrigued by the challenge system tied to the ABS. Each team gets three challenges. Only the pitcher, catcher and hitter can issue the challenges. If the challenge is upheld, they keep the challenge.
Commissioner Rob Manfred said in June that the ABS isn’t expected to be used in the big leagues in 2024.
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