3 burning questions for Guardians ahead of spring camp
This story was excerpted from Mandy Bell’s Guardians Beat e-newsletter. To learn the complete e-newsletter, click on right here. And subscribe to get it frequently in your inbox.
1. Are they accomplished making strikes?
This is the No. 1 query that must be addressed. The Guardians scratched the most important objects off their offseason to-do record in December, filling the emptiness behind the plate with Mike Zunino and bringing in some offensive assist in Josh Bell. For a workforce that’s coming off an sudden 92-win season that resulted in an AL Central title and is trying to construct off its strong basis, these had been needed strikes. But all has been silent for the reason that vacation season rolled round.
The Guardians’ entrance workplace hardly ever hints at their upcoming plans. President of baseball operations Chris Antonetti made a remark that they’ll by no means particularly say they’re accomplished making strikes, although he didn’t notice every other wants they had been actively making an attempt to handle.
The nearer Spring Training will get, the more durable it’s to think about one other large deal may very well be made. An offseason grade that would float round a ‘B-’ for his or her aggressiveness final month may very well be bumped as much as an ‘A’ if a pitcher or one other bat is secured. But it wouldn’t be shocking if Cleveland stands pat, exterior of some Minor League signings with invitations to large league camp.
2. Is Zunino wholesome?
Maybe this will’t be decided absolutely till Spring Training is underway, nevertheless it’s one thing the Guardians might want to know as quickly as attainable. If it didn’t appear doubtless that Zunino could be able to go for the 2023 season, the workforce wouldn’t have signed him. But it’s tough to mission how any participant responds after present process surgical procedure. What ought to work in Zunino’s favor (in idea) is that the thoracic outlet syndrome that he had operated on in July was in his non-throwing shoulder.
But what if Zunino has a setback? The Guardians have prospect Bo Naylor ready within the wings, nevertheless it’s clear that the workforce isn’t thrilled in regards to the thought of getting him break camp with the Major League membership. Naylor performed simply 66 video games at Triple-A Columbus and made 5 appearances with Cleveland on the finish of the common season. The Guardians would love him to have a little bit extra time in Triple-A earlier than getting his subsequent callup.
That leaves backstops like Cam Gallagher and Meibrys Viloria, who had been every signed to a Minor League contract with invitations to large league camp over the past month, and Brayan Lavastida as potential choices to switch Zunino if the worst-case situation performs out. That may drive a solution to the primary query on this record, prompting Cleveland so as to add extra depth behind the plate.
3. Can they be OK with out including a pitcher?
Well, the reply to this query has been “yes” for the previous couple of years, so it’s exhausting to confidently say “no.” Despite having a bullpen stuffed with younger, inexperienced hurlers, the Guardians as soon as once more discovered a option to have the fourth-highest bullpen WAR and fifth-lowest ERA within the Majors in 2022. As of now, the main reduction candidates to interrupt camp with the workforce could be Emmanuel Clase, James Karinchak, Trevor Stephan, Sam Hentges, Enyel De Los Santos, Eli Morgan and Nick Sandlin, with an additional spot that may very well be stuffed by anybody from a non-roster invitee to a different up-and-coming prospect. They’ll want Karinchak and Clase to be lights-out on the again finish of the ‘pen and having Morgan be the weapon he was at the beginning of last season will be critical. Sure, a more veteran arm would be helpful to add to the mix, but the Guardians have proven that they can follow the old adage, “If it’s not damaged, don’t repair it.”
As for the rotation, the trio of Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie and Cal Quantrill appears strong (and thrilling). It’ll come down as to if Aaron Civale and Zach Plesac can keep wholesome and rediscover their previous success. A lift to the again finish of the rotation could be useful in taking this workforce to the following stage, but when Civale and Plesac can pull their weight, it may not be needed.
