2024 Guardians Regular Season Thread

Damage said:

Florial's last 5 games (23 PA):

• .300 BA
• .364 OBP
• .650 SLG
• 1.014 SLG
• 2 HR

Small sample size but they've given this kid a long leash and you can see the confidence increasing. Good thing I'm not the GM...

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Early, he seemed to swing and miss constantly. Now he seems to be getting at least a foul ball on most swings. He does seem to have a decent idea of the strike zone which can only help.

sportscoach said:

I feel like it's a 99.99999999999% chance Hedges is on this roster for the whole season IF we are contending...

When it comes to Laureano, he isn't the captain so I think come June he's gone if he doesn't shape up...

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I am sure they like his intangibles with the pitchers in the dugout, but Hedges seems like a luxury. Between Fry and Naylor they can easily cover the innings at the catcher position. Both Fry and Naylor hit well enough that you don't automatically pinch hit for them late in the game. And Hedges is almost unusable if he doesn't start. A guy that went to the plate and never swung at a pitch would likely have a similar OBA.

CalBuckeyeRob said:

I am sure they like his intangibles with the pitchers in the dugout, but Hedges seems like a luxury. Between Fry and Naylor they can easily cover the innings at the catcher position. Both Fry and Naylor hit well enough that you don't automatically pinch hit for them late in the game. And Hedges is almost unusable if he doesn't start. A guy that went to the plate and never swung at a pitch would likely have a similar OBA.

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Look at 22 when we had Hedges... Look at 23... Look at 24... We don't really know, but I feel like teams always need a guy like him in the clubhouse... I even wouldn't be surprised to see him in our coaching ranks as soon as he retires. Aka I feel like Hedges is the glue that just makes everything stick together...

Also, even IF we moved on from Hedges, he plays like once a week... Who would we put into that role? I mean he's only taking up like 150 ABs... We would have to find more ABs than that for a young player and IF we go get a veteran, are they gonna want to sit there. He knows his role and isn't trying to be anything outside of that...

I personally like having Hedges around. Yeah he sucks at the plate. But he calls a good game, the third catcher allows Vogt the freedom to PH Naylor on his off days like he did against NYY (Ithink it was NYY. It was a late inning comeback victory).
And when Hedges isn't playing he's camped out at the top of the steps cheering and congratulating the other guys. He's a very positive impact in the lockerroom and behind the dish.
$4m for that leadership seems like good value compared to what we rolled out last year with Zunino, Gallagher and the vet Josh Bell.

sportscoach said:

Look at 22 when we had Hedges... Look at 23... Look at 24... We don't really know, but I feel like teams always need a guy like him in the clubhouse... I even wouldn't be surprised to see him in our coaching ranks as soon as he retires. Aka I feel like Hedges is the glue that just makes everything stick together...

Also, even IF we moved on from Hedges, he plays like once a week... Who would we put into that role? I mean he's only taking up like 150 ABs... We would have to find more ABs than that for a young player and IF we go get a veteran, are they gonna want to sit there. He knows his role and isn't trying to be anything outside of that...

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No they don't and there is no proof to support that. He's a negative WAR player.

Now, if you want to make him a coach then I'm all for that move.

We're talking about the youngest team in MLB. 150 AB is 150 AB, and that can make a difference when trying to get an idea on some of these guys. Laureano is on pace for 483 AB so combine the 2 and you have a full season's worth of AB for somebody that is actually going to possibly part of this team's future.

sportscoach said:

I feel like it's a 99.99999999999% chance Hedges is on this roster for the whole season IF we are contending...

When it comes to Laureano, he isn't the captain so I think come June he's gone if he doesn't shape up...

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Hedges isn't the captain either except in your imagination.

CDAV45 said:

No they don't and there is no proof to support that. He's a negative WAR player.

Now, if you want to make him a coach then I'm all for that move.

We're talking about the youngest team in MLB. 150 AB is 150 AB, and that can make a difference when trying to get an idea on some of these guys. Laureano is on pace for 483 AB so combine the 2 and you have a full season's worth of AB for somebody that is actually going to possibly part of this team's future.

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Aka hence why I said we need to move on from Laureano... I'd rather see someone else get his ABs now...

sportscoach said:

Aka hence why I said we need to move on from Laureano... I'd rather see someone else get his ABs now...

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...and I'm saying I'd rather create a full season's worth of AB by moving Laureano and Hedges. They are not needed Coach.

There is plenty of leadership in the clubhouse without Hedges.

CDAV45 said:

Freeman is doing a fantastic job in CF. Kwan is having a helluva start to his season. Florial is posting a 137 OPS+ and getting hot. Laureano and Brennan are struggling right now. Rodriguez is slashing 307/419/532/951 in 62 AB for the Clippers. How long do they continue with what is essentially 6 OFers when you factor Arias in? It's easy to say just trade Laureano, but you'd prefer he be posting better numbers before you try to move him. Seems like Florial is taking Brennan's opportunity away, but the tides can turn quickly in baseball. They might decide to send Will down for a bit.

This is not to take away from this fantastic season to this point, but I'd be a liar if I told you I wasn't curious as to how the OF will shake out.

Seems logical that Laureano and Hedges could be traded/released to make room, but who other than Rodriguez would you promote and how would you get them consitent AB? This is giving me a headache.

We won't even mention the continued battle between Rocchio and Arias.

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I dont think Hedges goes anywhere, we brought him back for a reason. I think he handles a staff even when not catching. There are just things we dont know.

As for the outfield, I am curious too, probably a bit to early to know, but Laureno seems to be the odd man out too...maybe Brennan also.. We will see.

CDAV45 said:

...and I'm saying I'd rather create a full season's worth of AB by moving Laureano and Hedges. They are not needed Coach.

There is plenty of leadership in the clubhouse without Hedges.

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Just cant agree on Hedges. We paid him 4 mill had a better backup on Paper, our #1 assistant and head coach are boath ex catchers.

I think talking about Hedges going is a complete waste of time. Our pitchers are over performing, they did in 2022. What do those seasons have in common?

CDAV45 said:

...and I'm saying I'd rather create a full season's worth of AB by moving Laureano and Hedges. They are not needed Coach.

There is plenty of leadership in the clubhouse without Hedges.

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Yet they spent 4 million for him to do what you say we have enough of... They literally brought him in to be a leader in the clubhouse... That's his role and his job... He's there to help a young team get better as a mentor...

Lee said:

Just cant agree on Hedges. We paid him 4 mill had a better backup on Paper, our #1 assistant and head coach are boath ex catchers.

I think talking about Hedges going is a complete waste of time. Our pitchers are over performing, they did in 2022. What do those seasons have in common?

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Our pitchers have been overperforming long before Hedges came here and overperformed when he wasn't here last season. Not quite sure what you're trying to get at there.

Having ex-catchers all over the coaching staff only enhances the reasoning behind replacing Hedges.

sportscoach said:

Yet they spent 4 million for him to do what you say we have enough of... They literally brought him in to be a leader in the clubhouse... That's his role and his job... He's there to help a young team get better as a mentor...

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You keep saying this based on your "feelings". Me, I think they brought him in to partner with Bieber in order to get the most value out of him. Now that is not a possibility I think Hedges' spot should be given to someone else. His 150 AB should be Fry's.

Like it or not, this is a developmental season. Notice that being so doesn't mean this team cannot win which was proven by the 22 season. We look to be even better this year than 22 and it isn't because of Hedges. It's because these kids are starting to realize their abilities.

They don't need Hedges as a "mentor". They have Vogt and his coaching staff. They have Jose. They have Josh. They have Kwan. They have Triston. They have Andres.

Bottomline, you have prospects that are knocking on the door. You have Fry who clearly needs to be in the lineup as much as possible and getting as much experience behind the dish as possible. This isn't a ploy against Austin Hedges' character. He's simply not a positive contributor on the field and he occupies a roster spot. Shrewd?.....yes. Wrong?.......no. If Hedges' "leadership" is so dire then they need to extend him longterm. Who here thinks that is a good idea?

Lee said:

I dont think Hedges goes anywhere, we brought him back for a reason. I think he handles a staff even when not catching. There are just things we dont know.

As for the outfield, I am curious too, probably a bit to early to know, but Laureno seems to be the odd man out too...maybe Brennan also.. We will see.

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Then they need to extend him longterm.

CDAV45 said:

Then they need to extend him longterm.

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I dont understand Hedges either, dont get me wrong, but the results are there so I leave it alone.

But the outfield is interesting. I would of gave up on Florial a few games ago, but now he is showing signs of life, which is weird because I do like Arias and probably similar players. I am just enjoying the ride and very curious about SS and outfied shake out too.