2022 Cleveland Guardians Regular Season Thread

[CDAV45]

So is Castro, whose 27 and other than another catastrophic rash of injuries will never be used as a starter here. 2- pitch, 3- pitch... Zack Jackson had 4 pitches but still sucked. I can't imagine this guy lasts long on the 40 man.

So you're saying that Castro's change up is make believe? I'm not saying, nor did I ever say that Castro will amount to a hill of beans. What I am saying is that he has 3 pitches with very good movement and he hasn't been able to harness his control to this point. I don't give a shit if he does or doesn't stay on the 40 man. I am glad that Zimmer is no longer a Guardian. That is the extent of my excitement.

Last year as a reliever Mejia gave up 6 hits in 34 AB's (.176), 2 walks and 11 K's. His OPS as a reliever was .575. Yeah, it was only 36 plate appearances but I wish we could have kept him. All the injuries to the starters forced him into the rotation where he clearly did not belong (.967 OPS).

I agree with that Wham. The situation was unfortunate because Mejia wasn't ready, but the circumstances called for him regardless.

 

[CDAV45]

I like the way the outfield is shaping up with Rosario (on non-windy days), Straw, and Kwan. I'm mildly optimistic they will get league average production or close to it from some combination of Naylor, Chang, and Bradley at first base.

What about the middle infield? Plenty of options, but will anybody hit? Could we see Arias and Freeman in the second half if Chang, Miller, Gimenez and Clement can't hit? Or will they trade for an outfielder and move Amed back to short?

Or an outfield of Naylor, Straw and Kwan with Amed at short and Bradley/Chang/Miller at first?

I feel like this whole season will be one long series of auditions.

Bieber looked very impressive despite missing a couple of mph's off his fastball.

Wish I shared your optimism. They are going to have to get some offense in somewhere and LF, 1B, and C appear to be the best places to get it. Although I should say RF as I anticipate Kwan in LF as soon as Rosario is dealt.

An OF of Naylor, Straw, and Kwan with Amed at short and Bradley/Chang/Miller at first is going to get us a lot of 3-1 losses like you watched yesterday.

I agree that this will be another season of auditions, but they could make a trade or 2 and turn things around quickly. We don't need one of Amed or Gimenez and if they're having season long auditions they might as well trade a SP if it would garner a good bat that is controlled for years.

Bieber is fine. Honestly, I'm glad to have seen him not overexerting himself after the shortened ST. Everything looked nice and easy.

 

[sportscoach]

Wish I shared your optimism. They are going to have to get some offense in somewhere and LF, 1B, and C appear to be the best places to get it. Although I should say RF as I anticipate Kwan in LF as soon as Rosario is dealt.

An OF of Naylor, Straw, and Kwan with Amed at short and Bradley/Chang/Miller at first is going to get us a lot of 3-1 losses like you watched yesterday.

I agree that this will be another season of auditions, but they could make a trade or 2 and turn things around quickly. We don't need one of Amed or Gimenez and if they're having season long auditions they might as well trade a SP if it would garner a good bat that is controlled for years.

Bieber is fine. Honestly, I'm glad to have seen him not overexerting himself after the shortened ST. Everything looked nice and easy.

I would put a very good bet Rosario will not be dealt. His bat will produce, just not power since that's not his game. He really isn't the one to worry about at the end of the day...

 

[Benway]

I'm getting used to reading great news daily. I want more today!

 

[BimboColesHair]

I'm getting used to reading great news daily. I want more today!

I am retiring from posting on RCF.

 

[BimboColesHair]

Friendly reminder.

Team took a spin rate freak who struggled to produce at the MLB level just a few seasons ago and made him into a valuable enough bullpen piece that they relied on him fairly often over his parts of 3 seasons in Cleveland and turned him into your current starting CF and leadoff hitter.

 

[col63onel]

Really encouraged by Biebers outing.

 

[PPark]

I like the way the outfield is shaping up with Rosario (on non-windy days), Straw, and Kwan. I'm mildly optimistic they will get league average production or close to it from some combination of Naylor, Chang, and Bradley at first base.

What about the middle infield? Plenty of options, but will anybody hit? Could we see Arias and Freeman in the second half if Chang, Miller, Gimenez and Clement can't hit? Or will they trade for an outfielder and move Amed back to short?

Or an outfield of Naylor, Straw and Kwan with Amed at short and Bradley/Chang/Miller at first?

I feel like this whole season will be one long series of auditions.

Bieber looked very impressive despite missing a couple of mph's off his fastball.

Your latter thought is the direction I’d take. Essentially slow down Amed’s transition, play Kwan in left and pick my spots with Amed.
Gimenez at second and Bradly at first. Chang and whomever they don’t send down when Naylor is activated picking up AB’s v. LHP.

Straw-CF
Kwan-LF
Ramirez-3B
Reyes-DH
Naylor-RF
Rosario-SS
Bradley-1B
Hedges-C
Gimenez-2B

Plus, here’s hoping they waive the roster split after May 2 and allow clubs to carry 14 pitchers. And good luck to Bradley Zimmer!
Does Bobby Bradley become the boards new whipping boy? Unfortunately I’d wager he’s the odds on favorite. Which likely means he’s my new favorite player Hell, somebody’s got to have his back.

 

[KluberSociety]

Bradley, Chang, and Hedges are probably going to be the whipping boys because they get regular playing time and aren't very good and aren't super young. Obviously we don't have much we can do about the C situation and Hedgey is still elite defensively but I can see the other 2 replaced in the next few months and fetching some kind of return (Chang moreso than Bradley).

Maybe Chang sticks around if we fall out of contention and we trade Amed instead. Not like they're really competing for a spot. Honestly we could probably trade both at some point.

 

[sportscoach]

Bradley, Chang, and Hedges are probably going to be the whipping boys because they get regular playing time and aren't very good and aren't super young. Obviously we don't have much we can do about the C situation and Hedgey is still elite defensively but I can see the other 2 replaced in the next few months and fetching some kind of return (Chang moreso than Bradley).

Maybe Chang sticks around if we fall out of contention and we trade Amed instead. Not like they're really competing for a spot. Honestly we could probably trade both at some point.

Amed has at least proven he can hit big league pitching, Chang has only in a short time...

Let's see how guys are doing when May 1st comes around. If Chang and Bradley aren't producing then they are on the DFA'D list... Miller can take 1B for now and/or make a trade for a 1B...

 

[KluberSociety]

Amed has at least proven he can hit big league pitching, Chang has only in a short time...

Let's see how guys are doing when May 1st comes around. If Chang and Bradley aren't producing then they are on the DFA'D list... Miller can take 1B for now and/or make a trade for a 1B...

No reason to DFA when someone will give you something for them like Zimmer, and my point isn't that Amed isn't useful. He's just the typical midseason trade candidate, where if we fall out of contention, some team will pay for him to fill in a gap. With Gimenez/Arias/Miller/Clement etc (or Chang) we will have enough options for the MIF and Amed isn't a very good OF.

I'm just thinking for the future of this team we probably aren't seeing Rosario here for long.

 

[Alabuckeye]

Friendly reminder.

Team took a spin rate freak who struggled to produce at the MLB level just a few seasons ago and made him into a valuable enough bullpen piece that they relied on him fairly often over his parts of 3 seasons in Cleveland and turned him into your current starting CF and leadoff hitter.

I don’t remember Straw pitching in the bullpen for three years.

 

[Criznit]

Friendly reminder.

Team took a spin rate freak who struggled to produce at the MLB level just a few seasons ago and made him into a valuable enough bullpen piece that they relied on him fairly often over his parts of 3 seasons in Cleveland and turned him into your current starting CF and leadoff hitter.

Friendly friendly reminder..

Sure Maton was in that trade, but so was bat first C prospect Yainer Diaz who was arguably the best hitter in all of the minors after Houston promoted him to high A.

 

[Gson]

I don’t remember Straw pitching in the bullpen for three years.

Key words "... turned him into..." (recall: the baby faced assassin?)

 

[BimboColesHair]

Friendly friendly reminder..

Sure Maton was in that trade, but so was bat first C prospect Yainer Diaz who was arguably the best hitter in all of the minors after Houston promoted him to high A.

You don't say.