ESPN.com take on Guardians
Projected record: 77-85 (15% playoff odds)
If everything goes right ... They start the season by signing
Jose Ramirez to a long-term extension.
Shane Bieber returns to his Cy Young form of 2020 and
Triston McKenzie (3.65 ERA over his final 10 starts last year) makes The Leap and becomes a dominant starter.
Emmanuel Clase is the best closer in the game. The offense scrapes together just enough runs and -- with the White Sox disappointing -- the Guardians steal the AL Central title with 90 wins.
-- Schoenfield
Weakness that could stop them:For all the hand-wringing we tend to do over Cleveland's outfield, this year's group at least looks athletic. It will be well-situated to provide defensive help for the Guardians' pitching staff. But beyond Ramirez's all-around game and
Franmil Reyes' power bat, the offense is questionable. Getting guys on base, for starters, looks to be a real problem. There are some young hitters who could take a leap --
Amed Rosario,
Josh Naylor,
Bobby Bradley, for starters. For Cleveland to contend, some of them are going to have to do just that.
-- Doolittle
Most likely 2022 award winner: There isn't a whole lot to celebrate about the current Guardians -- but there is Jose Ramirez. The 29-year-old infielder finished within the top three in MVP voting three times from 2017 to 2020 and finished sixth last year, when he combined an adjusted OPS of 141 with 36 home runs and 27 stolen bases. He's a premium defender who can run and hit for power. Since 2016, only Mike Trout and Mookie Betts have accumulated more fWAR among position players.
-- Gonzalez
One (realistic) bold prediction: Outfielder
Steven Kwan hits .304 to become the first qualified rookie to hit .300 for the Indians since Dale Mitchell in 1947.
-- Schoenfield
sports.yahoo.com
projects.fivethirtyeight.com