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2023 Guardians Spring Training Thread

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KluberSociety said:
Let's hope his forearm and elbow are fine. Please, none of that talk. All I've seen is triceps.
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All them muscles connected to the elbow and tightness in any of them is a symptom that ligament was hurt. Hopefully it's mild and rest can heal it. But no need not to address it as fans for what it is.
 
MMBC- Monday Morning Bench Coach
  • If I was Amed's agent, there is no way in hell I would have him sign a team friendly extension right now. If he has a season similar to last year, and becomes a FA, it would be the perfect storm. He would be the top FA SS. Actually, he might be more valuable than some SS that have already cashed in. Salaries don't go down in MLB. That would be generational type money.
  • Last spring, the G's were negotiating with JRam. Obviously, they got the job done. But it wasn't a sure thing. In fact, there were serious negotiations going on with the Blue Jays and Padres. Yesterday some negotiations took place with Amed's representatives. A deal was not reached. But now the G's know what ballpark they are in money-wise. Could this lead to an Amed deal this week? It's either trade Amed, or trade 16 MIF prospects.
  • Even if TMac's arm soreness is minor; do you want him to start game 2? I'm not sure if I do. Give him a short stay on the DL to ramp up some more. Nothing wrong giving Morris a start.
  • The plan at catcher still gives me heartburn, If Zunino can't be the regular catcher, trade for somebody that can. Let Zunino be the backup.
  • Dreaming. Who would you rather trade for, Bryan Reynolds or Shohei Ohtani? Reynolds is an All-Star level player that you could control for a few years. Ohtani is an MVP level player, but you would have him for only one season. (But it might be a helluva year,)
 
Mott the Hoople said:
MMBC- Monday Morning Bench Coach
  • If I was Amed's agent, there is no way in hell I would have him sign a team friendly extension right now. If he has a season similar to last year, and becomes a FA, it would be the perfect storm. He would be the top FA SS. Actually, he might be more valuable than some SS that have already cashed in. Salaries don't go down in MLB. That would be generational type money.
  • Last spring, the G's were negotiating with JRam. Obviously, they got the job done. But it wasn't a sure thing. In fact, there were serious negotiations going on with the Blue Jays and Padres. Yesterday some negotiations took place with Amed's representatives. A deal was not reached. But now the G's know what ballpark they are in money-wise. Could this lead to an Amed deal this week? It's either trade Amed, or trade 16 MIF prospects.
  • Even if TMac's arm soreness is minor; do you want him to start game 2? I'm not sure if I do. Give him a short stay on the DL to ramp up some more. Nothing wrong giving Morris a start.
  • The plan at catcher still gives me heartburn, If Zunino can't be the regular catcher, trade for somebody that can. Let Zunino be the backup.
  • Dreaming. Who would you rather trade for, Bryan Reynolds or Shohei Ohtani? Reynolds is an All-Star level player that you could control for a few years. Ohtani is an MVP level player, but you would have him for only one season. (But it might be a helluva year,)
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Ohtani. He could make a good team great, especially in the playoffs. Reynolds makes you better, but doesn't make you a super dangerous post-season team even if you have him longer.
 
So, combining the last several posts….

Amed and Plesac for Ohtani. Shoot, throw in Oscar since Ohtani will play RF. Get it done Chris!!!!
 
Mott the Hoople said:
MMBC- Monday Morning Bench Coach
  • If I was Amed's agent, there is no way in hell I would have him sign a team friendly extension right now. If he has a season similar to last year, and becomes a FA, it would be the perfect storm. He would be the top FA SS. Actually, he might be more valuable than some SS that have already cashed in. Salaries don't go down in MLB. That would be generational type money.
  • Last spring, the G's were negotiating with JRam. Obviously, they got the job done. But it wasn't a sure thing. In fact, there were serious negotiations going on with the Blue Jays and Padres. Yesterday some negotiations took place with Amed's representatives. A deal was not reached. But now the G's know what ballpark they are in money-wise. Could this lead to an Amed deal this week? It's either trade Amed, or trade 16 MIF prospects.
  • Even if TMac's arm soreness is minor; do you want him to start game 2? I'm not sure if I do. Give him a short stay on the DL to ramp up some more. Nothing wrong giving Morris a start.
  • The plan at catcher still gives me heartburn, If Zunino can't be the regular catcher, trade for somebody that can. Let Zunino be the backup.
  • Dreaming. Who would you rather trade for, Bryan Reynolds or Shohei Ohtani? Reynolds is an All-Star level player that you could control for a few years. Ohtani is an MVP level player, but you would have him for only one season. (But it might be a helluva year,)
Click to expand...
Has Morris even pitched yet this spring? I was assuming his going onto the 60 day IL was a method being used to open a 40 man roster spot..
 
Mott the Hoople said:
MMBC- Monday Morning Bench Coach
  • If I was Amed's agent, there is no way in hell I would have him sign a team friendly extension right now. If he has a season similar to last year, and becomes a FA, it would be the perfect storm. He would be the top FA SS. Actually, he might be more valuable than some SS that have already cashed in. Salaries don't go down in MLB. That would be generational type money.
  • Last spring, the G's were negotiating with JRam. Obviously, they got the job done. But it wasn't a sure thing. In fact, there were serious negotiations going on with the Blue Jays and Padres. Yesterday some negotiations took place with Amed's representatives. A deal was not reached. But now the G's know what ballpark they are in money-wise. Could this lead to an Amed deal this week? It's either trade Amed, or trade 16 MIF prospects.
  • Even if TMac's arm soreness is minor; do you want him to start game 2? I'm not sure if I do. Give him a short stay on the DL to ramp up some more. Nothing wrong giving Morris a start.
  • The plan at catcher still gives me heartburn, If Zunino can't be the regular catcher, trade for somebody that can. Let Zunino be the backup.
  • Dreaming. Who would you rather trade for, Bryan Reynolds or Shohei Ohtani? Reynolds is an All-Star level player that you could control for a few years. Ohtani is an MVP level player, but you would have him for only one season. (But it might be a helluva year,)
Click to expand...
isnt morris the poor mans espino? full of promise, always hurt
 
Last year the Guardians' designated hitters ranked last in the majors in home runs, second to last in OPS, and third worst in RBI's and OBP. They were 25th in walks and had the 4th most strikeouts. Abysmal, and that's across the board; average, power, contact, on-base percentage - everything.

Fangraphs is doing a series of pre-season power rankings by position. At DH they have the Guardians 12th, which would be a massive improvement over last year's 29th (if you go by OPS). Here is the comment:

Josh Bell might be the key to Cleveland’s offense this season. Essentially a league-average unit last year, the Guardian’s offense was highly reliant on superstar third baseman José Ramírez, rookie sensation Steven Kwan, and Andrés Giménez, the last of whom had a career year that ZiPS doesn’t think he’ll come close to replicating. As for Bell, the 30-year-old switch-hitter comes to Cleveland via free agency on the heels of a 123 wRC+ season where he hit 17 jacks in stints with the Nationals and the Padres, though his bat swooned upon his arrival in San Diego (143 wRC+ vs. 79). ZiPS projects Bell to produce a bit less in 2023, while the Guardians are hoping he can replicate the 37 home run, 135 wRC+ output he had with Pittsburgh in 2019. If he does, Terry Francona’s pitching-rich club could far surpass last year’s run total.

Josh Naylor, who will hold down first base, has been one of the team’s few legitimate long-ball threats. The 25-year-old Mississauga, Canada native left the yard 20 times in 2022, and ZiPS likes his chances of doing essentially the same in 2023. The Guardians will once again rely primarily on contact and speed, but they will get power from their designated hitters.

As opposed to last year where they got a grand total of 8 home runs from their DH's. The next worst team had 13. The Guardians' DH's, hitting mostly in the cleanup spot, had 57 RBI's. Astonishing.

Even if Bell just has an average season (.262/.810, 120 OPS+) the improvement will be immense. We're not talking about a big improvement in the #8 or #9 spot in the order. This will be a massive upgrade in the middle of the order, with tons of plate appearance with runners on and RISP. I think that even if Bell and Naylor just meet their career numbers this team will "far surpass last year's run total".

As for Andres Gimenez having a career year that ZIPS "doesn't think he'll come close to replicating", I might point out that he played all but the last month of the season at age 23. How many players end up having their career season at age 23 in their first season as an everyday player?

By the way, as a left-handed mostly pull hitter he'll benefit from the elimination of the shift.
 
Wham with the Right Hand said:
As for Andres Gimenez having a career year that ZIPS "doesn't think he'll come close to replicating", I might point out that he played all but the last month of the season at age 23. How many players end up having their career season at age 23 in their first season as an everyday player?
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Johnny Peralta? Franmil Reyes? I don't think it's fair to expect Gimenez to repeat last year. A better viewpoint imo is that even 80% of last year is still a very good 2b. I'm hoping Andres at least comes close.
 
Wham with the Right Hand said:
Last year the Guardians' designated hitters ranked last in the majors in home runs, second to last in OPS, and third worst in RBI's and OBP. They were 25th in walks and had the 4th most strikeouts. Abysmal, and that's across the board; average, power, contact, on-base percentage - everything.

Fangraphs is doing a series of pre-season power rankings by position. At DH they have the Guardians 12th, which would be a massive improvement over last year's 29th (if you go by OPS). Here is the comment:

Josh Bell might be the key to Cleveland’s offense this season. Essentially a league-average unit last year, the Guardian’s offense was highly reliant on superstar third baseman José Ramírez, rookie sensation Steven Kwan, and Andrés Giménez, the last of whom had a career year that ZiPS doesn’t think he’ll come close to replicating. As for Bell, the 30-year-old switch-hitter comes to Cleveland via free agency on the heels of a 123 wRC+ season where he hit 17 jacks in stints with the Nationals and the Padres, though his bat swooned upon his arrival in San Diego (143 wRC+ vs. 79). ZiPS projects Bell to produce a bit less in 2023, while the Guardians are hoping he can replicate the 37 home run, 135 wRC+ output he had with Pittsburgh in 2019. If he does, Terry Francona’s pitching-rich club could far surpass last year’s run total.

Josh Naylor, who will hold down first base, has been one of the team’s few legitimate long-ball threats. The 25-year-old Mississauga, Canada native left the yard 20 times in 2022, and ZiPS likes his chances of doing essentially the same in 2023. The Guardians will once again rely primarily on contact and speed, but they will get power from their designated hitters.

As opposed to last year where they got a grand total of 8 home runs from their DH's. The next worst team had 13. The Guardians' DH's, hitting mostly in the cleanup spot, had 57 RBI's. Astonishing.

Even if Bell just has an average season (.262/.810, 120 OPS+) the improvement will be immense. We're not talking about a big improvement in the #8 or #9 spot in the order. This will be a massive upgrade in the middle of the order, with tons of plate appearance with runners on and RISP. I think that even if Bell and Naylor just meet their career numbers this team will "far surpass last year's run total".

As for Andres Gimenez having a career year that ZIPS "doesn't think he'll come close to replicating", I might point out that he played all but the last month of the season at age 23. How many players end up having their career season at age 23 in their first season as an everyday player?

By the way, as a left-handed mostly pull hitter he'll benefit from the elimination of the shift.
Click to expand...
I look at Josh Bell being an overkill to the Guards offense, because much like you said, their DH's were non existent and they still kept up ground without that and an offensive catcher.

There'll be some kind of regression somewhere in the lineup, hard to point out who, but I'm expecting something like that. Still think it won't be earth shattering regression, there's just always that going on year to year in baseball.

If Kwan and Straw get on base, we are one of the most dangerous clubs out there.

Rosario batting 2nd and Andres 7th vs Righties will be something the game threads will be beating into the ground.
 
Real Deal said:
I look at Josh Bell being an overkill to the Guards offense, because much like you said, their DH's were non existent and they still kept up ground without that and an offensive catcher.

There'll be some kind of regression somewhere in the lineup, hard to point out who, but I'm expecting something like that. Still think it won't be earth shattering regression, there's just always that going on year to year in baseball.

If Kwan and Straw get on base, we are one of the most dangerous clubs out there.

Rosario batting 2nd and Andres 7th vs Righties will be something the game threads will be beating into the ground.
Click to expand...

Not worried about Andres regression. More concerned that we actually get some decent level of offensive contribution out of Shaw, DH & C positions. That will be huuuuuuuuuge.
 
The infamous "book" didn't really exist for Kwan or Gimenez in 2022, but after their impressive seasons opposing pitchers should have a much better understanding of how to attack them... Will Andres and Steven make the needed adjustments? Will they even be necessary?
 
Typically books develop over the year and you see regression as they go around a second time. N
 
Just imagine the addition of Bell and not having 2 other black holes in the lineup. The lineup is still short unless Brennan takes over CF against RHP, but there's no denying that Bell should give us a boost.
 
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