Steve_424
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A few things before I post this:
1) I hope that contender is the 2021 Indians, but I am not overly convinced
2) I am hopeful Jose will still be here when this happens, but that's not how the Indians typically operate
3) We are guessing on prospects, which is hard to do, and not able to include anyone the Indians may acquire
4) This is just for fun...I hope to hear other's thoughts on this as well.
So here's how I think the Cleveland Guardians will look the next time they contend for a World Series:
C – Bo Naylor – I’m keeping him here until the Indians say otherwise.
1B – Nolan Jones – I think Jones ends up finishing the 2021 season as team’s primary 1B, maybe sitting against tough LHP.
2B – Tyler Freeman – If the Indians fall out of it and trade Cesar, Freeman may get a look in the 2nd half.
SS – Andres Gimenez – Gimenez could end up in the utility role I have Miller in, but for now we’ll hope he sticks
3B – Gabriel Arias – He may still end up at SS, but with so many SS in the system I’ll stick him here where his arm would certainly play.
LF – George Valera – Though he could end up in CF or RF, I think he’d play best in LF at Progressive Field.
CF – Daniel Johnson – I’m hoping we see more and more of Johnson in CF as time goes on.
RF – Jordan Luplow – Luplow will be arb-eligible for the first time next year, so he’s around for awhile longer. He’ll at least play against LHP, but possibly every day if he shows he can do enough against righties too.
DH - Franmil Reyes
Utility – Owen Miller – Miller could end up at 2B, SS, or 3B, but for now we’ll say he gets regular at bats all over the field.
Backup 1B – Jake Bauers…just kidding
SP – Shane Bieber – Let us hope an extension of some kind takes place within the next year.
SP – Zach Plesac – I think he’ll continue to develop and be just fine as a #2-3 type
SP – Aaron Civale – I really like Civale’s long-term potential
SP – Daniel Espino – I’m really excited to see him pitch this year and hope he develops into the FOR starter the Indians believe he can be
SP – Ethan Hankins – I know many will go McKenzie here, or maybe Josh Wolf or Tanner Burns, but I’ll go Hankins.
Closer – Emmanuel Clase – “The Indians gave away Kluber for nothing” will end up being a really silly take
Setup – James Karinchak – As long as he doesn’t kill Berto with his cross-ups or go all John Rocker on social media, we’ve got a dominant 1-2 punch to end games
RP – Triston McKenzie – I hope he works out as a starter but I think there are serious durability concerns.
RP – Cal Quantrill – Bullpen still seems like the best fit
RP – Phil Maton – I wish they’d use him more – maybe that will come at some point
RP – Nick Sandlin – If he can stay healthy, I see no reason why he can’t be a pretty good pen arm
RP – Sam Hentges – They’ll try him as a starter and I hope it works, but ultimately, I see him here
RP – Bryan Shaw – TITO WILL NEVER LET GO
1) I hope that contender is the 2021 Indians, but I am not overly convinced
2) I am hopeful Jose will still be here when this happens, but that's not how the Indians typically operate
3) We are guessing on prospects, which is hard to do, and not able to include anyone the Indians may acquire
4) This is just for fun...I hope to hear other's thoughts on this as well.
So here's how I think the Cleveland Guardians will look the next time they contend for a World Series:
C – Bo Naylor – I’m keeping him here until the Indians say otherwise.
1B – Nolan Jones – I think Jones ends up finishing the 2021 season as team’s primary 1B, maybe sitting against tough LHP.
2B – Tyler Freeman – If the Indians fall out of it and trade Cesar, Freeman may get a look in the 2nd half.
SS – Andres Gimenez – Gimenez could end up in the utility role I have Miller in, but for now we’ll hope he sticks
3B – Gabriel Arias – He may still end up at SS, but with so many SS in the system I’ll stick him here where his arm would certainly play.
LF – George Valera – Though he could end up in CF or RF, I think he’d play best in LF at Progressive Field.
CF – Daniel Johnson – I’m hoping we see more and more of Johnson in CF as time goes on.
RF – Jordan Luplow – Luplow will be arb-eligible for the first time next year, so he’s around for awhile longer. He’ll at least play against LHP, but possibly every day if he shows he can do enough against righties too.
DH - Franmil Reyes
Utility – Owen Miller – Miller could end up at 2B, SS, or 3B, but for now we’ll say he gets regular at bats all over the field.
Backup 1B – Jake Bauers…just kidding
SP – Shane Bieber – Let us hope an extension of some kind takes place within the next year.
SP – Zach Plesac – I think he’ll continue to develop and be just fine as a #2-3 type
SP – Aaron Civale – I really like Civale’s long-term potential
SP – Daniel Espino – I’m really excited to see him pitch this year and hope he develops into the FOR starter the Indians believe he can be
SP – Ethan Hankins – I know many will go McKenzie here, or maybe Josh Wolf or Tanner Burns, but I’ll go Hankins.
Closer – Emmanuel Clase – “The Indians gave away Kluber for nothing” will end up being a really silly take
Setup – James Karinchak – As long as he doesn’t kill Berto with his cross-ups or go all John Rocker on social media, we’ve got a dominant 1-2 punch to end games
RP – Triston McKenzie – I hope he works out as a starter but I think there are serious durability concerns.
RP – Cal Quantrill – Bullpen still seems like the best fit
RP – Phil Maton – I wish they’d use him more – maybe that will come at some point
RP – Nick Sandlin – If he can stay healthy, I see no reason why he can’t be a pretty good pen arm
RP – Sam Hentges – They’ll try him as a starter and I hope it works, but ultimately, I see him here
RP – Bryan Shaw – TITO WILL NEVER LET GO
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