2024 MLB Division Preview: AL Central
By Sam Holstine
Cleveland Guardians
Key Additions
- RHP Scott Barlow
- RHP Carlos Carrasco
- RHP Austin Heges
- OF Esteven Florial
Key Loses
- RHP Enyel De Los Santos
- OF Oscar Gonzalez
- RHP Cal Quantrill
The Guardians had a pretty quiet offseason, especially in comparison to the previously previewed White Sox. The most impactful change in the Guardians organization very may well be from the manager position, after Terry Francona stepped away. Replacing him will be Stephen Vogt, a change that will be very interesting to watch. Cleveland seems to be following the same mold they have been for years now, maintaining a strong pitching staff with an offense that leaves a lot to be desired. The main cog of their offense will once again be Jose Ramirez, who arguably had Cleveland's biggest highlight last season.
The best part of the Tim Anderson-Jose Ramirez fight is both the second base umpire and Cleveland radio broadcaster going from baseball mode to boxing mode in the snap of a finger. pic.twitter.com/89uEX4aCN4
— Joe Giglio (@JoeGiglioSports) August 6, 2023
With Jose Ramirez continuing to put up MVP-like numbers as the center piece of Cleveland's lineup, it will be up to those around him to help in making a more well rounded lineup. Steven Kwan and Andres Gimenez will be looked at as two major bounce-back candidates for Vogt's squad this year. Cleveland's lineup does provide a unique opportunity for two guys specifically, as brothers Josh and Bo Naylor will most likely get to be starters in the same major league lineup. Josh has established himself as a power source in the middle of their lineup, and hopefully his younger brother Bo can follow along.
2020 AL Cy Young winner Shane Bieber headlines their rotation, alongside Triston McKenzie, Tanner Bibee, Logan Allen, and Gavin Williams. McKenzie will look to remain healthy this year, after being sidelined for the majority of the 2023 season, while the latter three look to improve upon rookie flashes shown last year and establish themselves as major league arms. The Guardains also have one of the best closers in baseball in Emmanuel Clase, with his lethal cutter and slider duo. As of right now, I don't see the Guardians as a playoff squad, but more like one of the first teams looking on from the outside. Baseball is hard to predict and Cleveland may very well be the biggest competitors to Minnesota's quest to repeat.