2025 Cleveland Guardians Thread

[Raleigh504]

Didn't see one started, so might as well be the one.

Been watching some videos/podcasts and reading about the team. Didn't have a big splash this offseason but I still do like the team, and you need to see what the young guys can do.

Nikhazy is pitching well in the spring, they are saying he will be a bullpen arm but with the flux in who will be #4 & #5 starters, I wouldn't mind seeing him get a shot.

Hopefully Noel gets the starting role vs Brennan because I just think Brennan is a poor man's version of Lane Thomas as in skill set and what they can bring. At least Noel is a big bat and can get 30+ HR. Not sure if Brennan can do that or not.

I like them being a contender for the division. Just depends on health and if guys who are called up/RCs can contribute. Overall excited about the team, will buy a MLBtv plan once it goes on discount later this year.

[tjforce]

Rooting for ownership to sell the team, just like I am every year.

-Cavs can spend big money to compete
-Browns can spend big money and still be a dumpster fire.
-Dians make a deep playoff run then get cheap.

Don't take the bait and fall for it again this year. The organization's entire business model is to be good enough to trick people into believing that 'this is our year', but not invest enough in the roster to make it happen.

[Raleigh504]

Rooting for ownership to sell the team, just like I am every year.

-Cavs can spend big money to compete
-Browns can spend big money and still be a dumpster fire.
-Dians make a deep playoff run then get cheap.

Don't take the bait and fall for it again this year. The organization's entire business model is to be good enough to trick people into believing that 'this is our year', but not invest enough in the roster to make it happen.

Good thing with baseball is that anything is possible, but it does help to spend money. So my three thoughts on selling

1) with Dolan passing away recently, I think they were trying since their last WS run, to run the organization as lean as possible for an eventual sale of the team. No owner coming on would want horrible long term contracts. It just helps for the Dolans to quickly sell for a higher price when a new owner doesn't have to clean up the previous ones mess.

2) with Dolan having bad health the last few years, I could see it accelerate the sale if his dependents want their inheritance. I am sure there was some sort of clause in there if he were to pass away before the sale of the team then it would trigger the minority owner able to buy it. So maybe next offseason ownership could change

3) as cheap as he has been, the teams are competitve each year and just because a new owner with more money comes in doesn't mean they will continue to win. Browns owner spends a ton and each year they fight for the 1st pick (if they didn't trade it away). Plenty of other owners that wanted to play GM and made the team worse.

[tjforce]

Good thing with baseball is that anything is possible, but it does help to spend money. So my three thoughts on selling

1) with Dolan passing away recently, I think they were trying since their last WS run, to run the organization as lean as possible for an eventual sale of the team. No owner coming on would want horrible long term contracts. It just helps for the Dolans to quickly sell for a higher price when a new owner doesn't have to clean up the previous ones mess.

2) with Dolan having bad health the last few years, I could see it accelerate the sale if his dependents want their inheritance. I am sure there was some sort of clause in there if he were to pass away before the sale of the team then it would trigger the minority owner able to buy it. So maybe next offseason ownership could change

3) as cheap as he has been, the teams are competitve each year and just because a new owner with more money comes in doesn't mean they will continue to win. Browns owner spends a ton and each year they fight for the 1st pick (if they didn't trade it away). Plenty of other owners that wanted to play GM and made the team worse.

Well that's what stings....

They "Could" be a championship team. But every time they get close the ownership just won't open up the coffers and pay to get it done. And it's because the goal isn't to win WS's, it's to maximize profit and decrease risk.

Which I get that is how most businesses are run, but this a sports team, and I'm not wasting my energy rooting for a team who operates in bad faith when it comes to the product it can deliver.

[tkraft24]

I'm excited for the season - biggest concern is definitely the starting rotation. I'm sure some guys will step up and make things right (maybe even Nikhazy or Logan Allen) but on paper things look sketchy between inexperience and recent injuries.

I'm sure things would feel a lot different if Luis Ortiz hasn't been getting rocked in ST. I have a hard time putting any trust in Trison to stay healthy and same goes for Williams.

[scal]

I'm optimistic about our chances. The starting pitching has to be better than it was last season. The bullpen will probably regress from the use in the postseason. Replacing Naylor with Santana might be a wash.

[Raleigh504]

I am hoping that Bo Naylor, Rocchio and/or a RF/2B option plays to their potential or above it. Arias has to know he is on the chopping block if he plays poorly along with the other guys that could play 2B since Travis could be up late this year for a playoff push.

[auctionjmm]

Well that's what stings....

They "Could" be a championship team. But every time they get close the ownership just won't open up the coffers and pay to get it done. And it's because the goal isn't to win WS's, it's to maximize profit and decrease risk.

Which I get that is how most businesses are run, but this a sports team, and I'm not wasting my energy rooting for a team who operates in bad faith when it comes to the product it can deliver.

Did you know that the team has the 3rd most wins in MLB since 2012? How much further can money get you?

The problem, IMO, is they don't show up in the playoffs. Look how many Cy Young winners and candidates we've had over the years who looked abysmal in October. How many hot bats went ice cold in October. I hate to blame this all on bad luck but I also don't believe that throwing 50 million dollars at the third best team in baseball is going to make them as good as everyone thinks, and quite frankly it could make them worse as we've seen with other teams who tried to spend their way to a WS and failed.

Whatever we've got going on with player development and morale is working incredibly well. I don't think money is the answer. I think staying hot for one more month is the answer. They've had the talent. They need to finish.

[Raleigh504]

Did you know that the team has the 3rd most wins in MLB since 2012? How much further can money get you?

The problem, IMO, is they don't show up in the playoffs. Look how many Cy Young winners and candidates we've had over the years who looked abysmal in October. How many hot bats went ice cold in October. I hate to blame this all on bad luck but I also don't believe that throwing 50 million dollars at the third best team in baseball is going to make them as good as everyone thinks, and quite frankly it could make them worse as we've seen with other teams who tried to spend their way to a WS and failed.

Whatever we've got going on with player development and morale is working incredibly well. I don't think money is the answer. I think staying hot for one more month is the answer. They've had the talent. They need to finish.

The biggest thing Cleveland does well (with Tito at least) was play great at small ball and squeak out the close wins. Playoffs it gets harder to do and typically the team that hits more HR wins the series. I agree, the only thing would be get a big HR hitting guy but that doesn't mean he will show up in the playoffs.

[tjforce]

Did you know that the team has the 3rd most wins in MLB since 2012? How much further can money get you?

The problem, IMO, is they don't show up in the playoffs. Look how many Cy Young winners and candidates we've had over the years who looked abysmal in October. How many hot bats went ice cold in October. I hate to blame this all on bad luck but I also don't believe that throwing 50 million dollars at the third best team in baseball is going to make them as good as everyone thinks, and quite frankly it could make them worse as we've seen with other teams who tried to spend their way to a WS and failed.

Whatever we've got going on with player development and morale is working incredibly well. I don't think money is the answer. I think staying hot for one more month is the answer. They've had the talent. They need to finish.

A World Series win.


What you just said is what bugs me the most. It's actually a pretty well run, lean organization, but they just cheap out when it's their window to go out and win.

Imagine if the Cavs never went out and overpaid JR Smith and Tristian Thompson. We'd be the Buffalo Bills with a 0-4 Championship streak. This offseason is another perfect example. Make it to the ALCS then cut salary.

[Raleigh504]

A World Series win.


What you just said is what bugs me the most. It's actually a pretty well run, lean organization, but they just cheap out when it's their window to go out and win.

Imagine if the Cavs never went out and overpaid JR Smith and Tristian Thompson. We'd be the Buffalo Bills with a 0-4 Championship streak. This offseason is another perfect example. Make it to the ALCS then cut salary.

My hope is (like they did in 2016) that they play well in the beginning of the year and then go out and get some expiring contract guys to fill the gaps (or like a Lane Thomas guy) for a playoff push. Getting Means and Bieber back is huge cause both have ace stuff and if they do return to form then you would have a nice starting staff for the playoffs.

[Raleigh504]

Interesting they optioned Angel Martinez and Brito today. I thought with Angel's versatility that he would have a chance to break camp as the utility guy.

It's down to Arias and Freeman for 2B it seems like.

[Raleigh504]

Saw the Nolan Jones trade for Freeman which gives Arias the starting job and a little bit of opportunity to play each day. Heard they told Brennan he is on the opening day roster before the trade and now with it his spot is up in the air. I can see him getting pushed out and maybe even him or Lane Thomas traded this year.

[goyder43]

Let’s go Guards!!

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[Poorboy]

Let’s go Guards!!

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niiiiiiiicccceeeeeeeeee:cool::cool::cool::cool:

[goyder43]

Let’s go Guards!!

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Another Rainbow for good measure https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250326/f58a16dd751cb050d1760203b2907168.jpg


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[Raleigh504]

Let’s go Guards!!

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Wow, that is beautiful. I really think he will have a breakout year (I think he needs to cause there are some young catchers in the system that could get a shot in a year or two). I think with consistent ABs and letting him DH a few times too, I think he could hit 20-25 HRs, .260 avg and get 70 RBIs. Granted RBIs are harder and not really controllable if you don't have many people on base when you hit.

[Raleigh504]

So the last spot on the 26th man roster is still open but here is the other 25:

Infield
C Bo Naylor
C/Vibes Austin Hedges
1B Carlos Santana
1B/DH Kyle Manzardo
2B Gabriel Arias
SS Brayan Rocchio
3B Jose Ramirez
UTL Daniel Schneemann

Outfield
LF Steven Kwan
CF Lane Thomas
RF Nolan Jones
RF/DH Jhonkensy Noel

SP
Tanner Bibee
Gavin Williams
Luis Ortiz
Ben Lively
Logan Allen

RP
Emmanuel Clase
Cade Smith
Hunter Gaddis
Tim Herrin
Paul Sewald
Jakob Junis
Triston McKenzie
Joe Cantillo

Notable names that could be 26th man (needs to be Utility guy):
- Witt Merrifield (currently FA)
- Angel Martinez
- Will Brennan (or trade him for 26th guy)

I also love the fact they put 3 SP in the bullpen. I suspect the bottom 3 starters and sometimes Gavin early on will only get to 4 innings, maybe 5 tops. This will allow one of the starters to come in the 4th, 5th or 6th inning and pitch until the 9th to bring in Clase if it is a save opportunity. Allows the SP to slowly build up, doesn't burn out the bullpen like it did last year and gives 3 other guys starter like innings to show how they do against MLB and could replace if anyone does poorly or gets hurt.

[GabrielCards]

I saw that all the "experts" picked their division winners and the Guardians got the 2nd lowest amount of votes in their division! Disrespect fuels!

[asujbl]

https://www.news-herald.com/2025/03/27/guardians-reach-deals-with-pay-tv-providers-in-time-for-march-27-first-pitch/

[asujbl]

For anyone in Ohio. Looks like I saved $99.99 if I’m reading this right

[itsbaytime]

For anyone in Ohio. Looks like I saved $99.99 if I’m reading this right

Correct. It is more for people who dropped cable or people who are thinking about it, but it looks like all our bases are covered for this season.

[asujbl]

Correct. It is more for people who dropped cable or people who are thinking about it, but it looks like all our bases are covered for this season.

I have every streaming service on planet earth… and yet still have cable

Because happy wife

She does not like technology

So I will happily save my $99.99 for once

[corockies]

Kyle Manzardo a single short of the cycle today. Not a bad start!

[itsbaytime]

Solid W!!! I am legit scared that Clase is done. i hope it isn't the case, but it feels like that playoff stretch messed him up.

[tkraft24]

Solid W!!! I am legit scared that Clase is done. i hope it isn't the case, but it feels like that playoff stretch messed him up.

It was concerning to see Clase in playoff form already but it's day 1 and at least he got the team to extras. It was great to see Kwan come up clutch in the 10th and then Manzardo give the new guy some breathing room for the bottom of the inning.

The team definitely caught some breaks with the pair of defensive collisions both resulting in outs and no injuries as well as the double play when Gaddis was against the ropes. Phewwww.

Great game

[Raleigh504]

Some initial thoughts on the team:
- Excited Arias is finally stepping into his own
- Brayan had some promise at SS but seems to have taken a step back
- McKenzie is playing really bad. Hope he gets surgery or figures it out. Sad to see it happen to him.
- I like Angel Martinez in CF but not sure they will make that a permanent thing. Maybe RF if Noel or Jones don’t step up.
- Manzardo needs to play 1B more
- Wonder if they will trade Santana or not to open up some young guys to play more
- Could Arias slot into SS and bring up Bazzana up by June or sooner?