2023 Guardians Offseason Thread!

[CBBI]

Straw can’t be our everyday CF again.

Hedges gone, I think.

I think they're going to give Straw the opportunity to start again.

If you look at his splits, he had three acceptable/good months and three absolutely god awful months.

If he can just replicate what he did in July over a full season, which is a .679 OPS, that's more than good enough from a 9 hitter who plays gold glove defense in CF and is going to steal 30 bases.

If he starts out and is hitting like May, June or August, then he's gonna lose playing time with a quickness.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

One of Hedges/Maile survive and are Bo's backup next season.

Thought Hedges was FA. Can’t hit, can’t throw. Why bring him back?

 

[KilgoreTrout]

I think they're going to give Straw the opportunity to start again.

If you look at his splits, he had three acceptable/good months and three absolutely god awful months.

If he can just replicate what he did in July over a full season, which is a .679 OPS, that's more than good enough from a 9 hitter who plays gold glove defense in CF and is going to steal 30 bases.

If he starts out and is hitting like May, June or August, then he's gonna lose playing time with a quickness.
View attachment 12727

I think a dude who can’t hit for average needs to be more willing and able to walk, bunt, and steal.

I put The Kwanimal in CF and make Straw earn playing time, as a 4th OF.

 

[sportscoach]

I think a dude who can’t hit for average needs to be more willing and able to walk, bunt, and steal.

I put The Kwanimal in CF and make Straw earn playing time, as a 4th OF.

The FO and management has committed to Straw already... He's going to start the season in CF... It's his to lose, not his to earn back...

 

[33Y0]

Thought Hedges was FA. Can’t hit, can’t throw. Why bring him back?

He is a FA. I still think the Guards go a vet route to backup Bo.

And quite frankly, look at the FA landscape going into this offseason...
Yadier Molina (40.2) 0.0 WAR in 2022
Willson Contreras (30.4) 3.9 WAR in 2022
Gary Sanchez (29.8) 0.9 WAR in 2022
Roberto Perez (33.8) 0.6 WAR (injured) in 2022
Martin Maldonado (36.2) 0.2 WAR in 2022
Omar Narvaez (30.7) 0.2 WAR in 2022
Christian Vazquez (32.1) 2.1 WAR in 2022
Tucker Barnhart (31.8) 0.0 WAR in 2022
Austin Hedges (30.2) -0.4 WAR in 2022

Getting Willson Contreras is a pipedream... so I mean, your options aren't exactly vast to backup Bo. Hence why I said one of Hedges/Maile will probably end up staying despite both of them probably getting dumped to start the offseason.

 

[Criznit]

I think Jose Abreu is an option for a RH "power" bat that would play most days. At 35 years of age, he isn't getting a long term deal.

I think I like Jose more than Carlos at this point.

 

[B Mac]

The payroll in 2022 was roughly $56 million and was rumored that the Guardians were willing to spend quite a bit more. Don't forget they nearly landed Olson in the offseason, who promptly signed a $21 million a year contract with Atlanta after they got him instead.

We've also heard for the past several years that they were willing, but unable to or not wanting to spend their budgeted amount of money on the guys available to spend it on (a good decision not to spend just to spend), so they saved that cash.

Maybe this isn't how it works, but in my mind, that saved cash would still seem to be in play, right? Additionally, if they were willing to increase payroll the last several offseasons, in my mind it would seem they would be even more willing to do so coming off of a playoff appearance and the extra revenue that brought in, right? We've also heard that the new owner was going to bring in significant additional financial backing, right? This is not going to be an attendance post, but you would have to assume that there would be at least a little boost based off of this year's success as well.

So, if the above four statements are true, then wouldn't the G's be in position to add significant salary to this team in the offseason? Even if each of the above statements were only worth around $8-10 million or so a piece, wouldn't that still be a $32-$40 million dollar increase available?

I understand it goes against everything we know about how this organization has RIGHTFULLY operated. However, when the time came to lock up Jose they sure did were able to get it done, and I think based off of the above talking points that they'd be willing to invest again if they can land that giant whale.

No, I don't think Judge would be willing to take our $40 million per year (although he's obviously the perfect missing piece and would be one of the only moves that would actually increase attendance), but I'm truly wondering if the front office has some major moves they are working on up their sleeve.

To summarize. I'm not willing to just dismiss the crazy type of moves that most offseasons I don't think stand a chance, because I view this as one of those very rare opportunities when multiple factors are lined up perfectly to work in their favor. Insert expensive foreign car pictures here.

 

[Soar]

The payroll in 2022 was roughly $56 million and was rumored that the Guardians were willing to spend quite a bit more. Don't forget they nearly landed Olson in the offseason, who promptly signed a $21 million a year contract with Atlanta after they got him instead.

We've also heard for the past several years that they were willing, but unable to or not wanting to spend their budgeted amount of money on the guys available to spend it on (a good decision not to spend just to spend), so they saved that cash.

Maybe this isn't how it works, but in my mind, that saved cash would still seem to be in play, right? Additionally, if they were willing to increase payroll the last several offseasons, in my mind it would seem they would be even more willing to do so coming off of a playoff appearance and the extra revenue that brought in, right? We've also heard that the new owner was going to bring in significant additional financial backing, right? This is not going to be an attendance post, but you would have to assume that there would be at least a little boost based off of this year's success as well.

So, if the above four statements are true, then wouldn't the G's be in position to add significant salary to this team in the offseason? Even if each of the above statements were only worth around $8-10 million or so a piece, wouldn't that still be a $32-$40 million dollar increase available?

I understand it goes against everything we know about how this organization has RIGHTFULLY operated. However, when the time came to lock up Jose they sure did were able to get it done, and I think based off of the above talking points that they'd be willing to invest again if they can land that giant whale.

No, I don't think Judge would be willing to take our $40 million per year (although he's obviously the perfect missing piece and would be one of the only moves that would actually increase attendance), but I'm truly wondering if the front office has some major moves they are working on up their sleeve.

To summarize. I'm not willing to just dismiss the crazy type of moves that most offseasons I don't think stand a chance, because I view this as one of those very rare opportunities when multiple factors are lined up perfectly to work in their favor. Insert expensive foreign car pictures here.

I think the excess money will be spent more on in house extensions rather than looking outside the organization.

But I do agree that now that Blitzer is fully in ownership and the lockout stuff is over, it wouldn’t be shocking to see some bigger game hunting this off-season.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

Alright, the first order of business for the offseason is obviously trying to make trades... but since so few trades happen before the rule 5 draft (and why would a team bail us out if we have a roster crunch?), we're going to start with the 40-man and the R5 draft.

Current 40-man

1. Shane Bieber
2. Aaron Civale
3. Triston McKenzie
4. Zach Plesac
5. Cal Quantrill
6. Cody Morris
7. Emmanuel Clase
8. Enyel De Los Santos
9. Sam Hentges
10. James Karinchak
11. Eli Morgan
12. Nick Sandlin
13. Trevor Stephan
14. Xzavion Curry
15. Hunter Gaddis
16. Kirk McCarty
17. Carlos Vargas
18. Konnor Pilkington
19. Austin Hedges
20. Luke Maile
21. Bo Naylor
22. Bryan Lavastida
23. Gabriel Arias
24. Tyler Freeman
25. Andres Gimenez
26. Nolan Jones
27. Owen Miller
28. Josh Naylor
29. Jhonkensy Noel
30. Jose Ramirez
31. Brayan Rocchio
32. Amed Rosario
33. Jose Tena
34. Will Benson
35. Will Brennan
36. Oscar Gonzalez
37. Steven Kwan
38. Richie Palacios
39. Myles Straw
40. George Valera
41. Anthony Gose

Moves:

• Release Anthony Gose
• Release Richie Palacios
• Release Luke Maile
• Release Austin Hedges

I think those are the easy and obvious ones. That gets you the 3 necessary spots to protect your absolute 3 must-protect guys.

• Add Peyton Battenfield to the 40-man roster
• Add Joey Cantillo to the 40-man roster
• Add Angel Martinez to the 40-man roster

Now you're looking at protecting the following:

• Ethan Hankins
• Lenny Torres
• Gabriel Rodriguez
• Johnathan Rodriguez

And the following are guys that you could release from the 40-man to make that happen:

• Xzavion Curry
• Hunter Gaddis
• Kirk McCarty
• Carlos Vargas
• Konnor Pilkington
• Owen Miller
• Will Benson

I don't think Torres needs to be protected. I'm not sure about Hankins... he might be one of those injured guys that a bottom-feeder team selects in Rule 5 just to get a look at him. I don't think Gabriel Rodriguez needs to be protected--it's going to be difficult to select a guy who hasn't played above high A ball. Johnathan Rodriguez is someone I'd look at protecting.

I think releasing Kirk McCarty to protect Ethan Hankins makes sense. I don't think there's anyone I'd release to protect Johnathan Rodriguez.

So, heading into the Rule 5 draft, here is my 40-man:

1. Shane Bieber
2. Aaron Civale
3. Triston McKenzie
4. Zach Plesac
5. Cal Quantrill
6. Cody Morris
7. Emmanuel Clase
8. Enyel De Los Santos
9. Sam Hentges
10. James Karinchak
11. Eli Morgan
12. Nick Sandlin
13. Trevor Stephan
14. Xzavion Curry
15. Hunter Gaddis
16. Carlos Vargas
17. Konnor Pilkington
18. Bo Naylor
19. Bryan Lavastida
20. Gabriel Arias
21. Tyler Freeman
22. Andres Gimenez
23. Nolan Jones
24. Owen Miller
25. Josh Naylor
26. Jhonkensy Noel
27. Jose Ramirez
28. Brayan Rocchio
29. Amed Rosario
30. Jose Tena
31. Will Benson
32. Will Brennan
33. Oscar Gonzalez
34. Steven Kwan
35. Myles Straw
36. George Valera
37. Angel Martinez
38. Joey Cantillo
39. Peyton Battenfield
40. Ethan Hankins

Next up is potential trades, signings and extensions before we head into spring training and look at lineups and camp invites.

 

[PocketMonger]

Surprised there’s been no mention of a Plesac trade yet.

 

[Hurl Bruce]

I see Bo as the starting catcher in everyone's lineups for next year. Is that a foregone conclusion?

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

I see Bo as the starting catcher in everyone's lineups for next year. Is that a foregone conclusion?

If you're asking: "Is it guaranteed that Bo starts opening day in 2023 behind the plate?" I'd say the answer is no.

If you're asking: "Does everyone think that Bo Naylor is the best catching prospect in the organization, and that by the end of 2023, we either have him behind the plate or we've acquired someone else?" Then I'd say the answer is yes.

I think most people are expecting us to break camp next year with Bo and another catcher (Maile, Hedges or Lavastida) on the roster. But, things can always happen. If Naylor struggles in the Spring, he could start the year in Columbus.

 

[Criznit]

I see Bo as the starting catcher in everyone's lineups for next year. Is that a foregone conclusion?

Barring a major trade, yes. He'll be given a shot to win the ROY IMO.

 

[CBBI]

Abreu is still a very good hitter, but there's a trickle down effect if you bring him because he would 100% play every day.

1B: Naylor v. RHP, Abreu v. LHP
DH: Abreu v. RHP, Oscar v. LHP
RF: Oscar v. RHP, ??? v. LHP

Certainly not ideal to start one of Brennan/Benson/Jones in RF against a LHP, but signing Abreu also means there's no regular playing time for any of those LHH OFs period because Oscar's not platooning next year either.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

Abreu is still a very good hitter, but there's a trickle down effect if you bring him because he would 100% play every day.

1B: Naylor v. RHP, Abreu v. LHP
DH: Abreu v. RHP, Oscar v. LHP
RF: Oscar v. RHP, ??? v. LHP

Certainly not ideal to start one of Brennan/Benson/Jones in RF against a LHP, but signing Abreu also means there's no regular playing time for any of those LHH OFs period because Oscar's not platooning next year either.

If we came to this point, I don't have a problem with saying Oscar plays RF against lefties, and we use that DH spot against lefties to cycle through and give guys days off from playing the field.