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The Guardians have less than a week to make some difficult decisions before they break camp and head to Kansas City and Opening Day of the 2025 season.
They still need to figure out how they're going to handle second base — at least until Travis Bazzana takes it over for good. They need to see who will nab the fifth spot in the starting rotation — at least until Shane Bieber can return from Tommy John surgery. And, as always, the last spot in the bullpen is up for grabs.
Here's our Guardians 2025 Opening Day roster projection 2.0.
No questions here. The Guardians are hoping that Bo Naylor, in his age-25 season, can take the next step in his development, particularly on the offensive side in a lineup that could use some extra length. He posted a 20-homer, 20-steals season in the minor leagues but hasn't put it together in the majors just yet.
It is important to note (on a daily basis, if necessary) that spring training stats are never the full story when it comes to roster decisions. That being said, Tyler Freeman and Daniel Schneemann both appear to be putting together quality spring camps. Those two, along with Gabriel Arias — the Guardians like his defense, but he does need to show some offensive production at some point — could handle the second base duties in the short run while also providing outfield depth.
Kyle Manzardo has also been putting up solid numbers and should be in line for semi-regular at-bats in the DH spot, especially with David Fry set to start the season on the injured list.
Angel Martinez and Juan Brito could open the season in Triple-A. And Bazzana, at some point, is on the way.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt isn't too fond of the term "platoon" — it's too simplistic of a concept for how he actually views things — but Jhonkensy Noel and Will Brennan could see a timeshare in right field while Steven Kwan and Lane Thomas handle left field and center field, respectively.
Johnathan Rodriguez and Chase DeLauter — when he can finally find some resemblance of health — could factor into the right field picture at some point in 2025.
Barring any last-second injuries, the first four spots should be set, with Tanner Bibee taking the ball on Opening Day.
For the fifth spot, Triston McKenzie might have to be saved by a minor-league-options situation.
McKenzie is out of options, meaning he either needs to be on the major league roster or be exposed to waivers. If he had come to camp and proved his command has returned, this would be an easy decision, but that hasn't been the case. He has an 8.18 ERA with 15 hits (including three home runs), 10 earned runs and eight walks in only 11 innings. Spring training stats are not the whole story, but that isn't exactly a pretty first chapter, either.
However, looking at his pure stuff (meaning movement and other factors), McKenzie has given the Guardians some reasons for optimism, though it doesn't quite overshadow other elements (namely with command).
But considering they likely have to risk losing him if he's not in the starting rotation or the bullpen, McKenzie might be given at least some length of a leash to open the season in the majors in the hopes he can rediscover the command that made him the No. 2 starter in the rotation a few years ago. It isn't a perfect scenario, but it might be better than the alternative given the possibility he finds a breakthrough soon.
Logan Allen has looked pretty good this spring. If the Guardians put McKenzie in the bullpen or do expose him to waivers, the fifth spot could be his.
The first six spots should be locked up. Andrew Walters could make sense for No. 7 after a strong finish to 2024.
For the eighth, it's possible Kolby Allard has done enough as a non-roster invitee to force his way onto the Opening Day roster. It won't be difficult for the Guardians to open space on the 40-man roster for him. That would also give the bullpen a second lefty.
Erik Sabrowski will open the season on the injured list. Slade Cecconi should figure into the mix (rotation or bullpen) at some point but could be headed to Triple-A to begin 2025.
Tyler Naquin won't come anywhere near the Opening Day roster, but his quest to convert to a pitcher will be interesting to watch.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians Opening Day roster projection, prediction
Continue reading...
They still need to figure out how they're going to handle second base — at least until Travis Bazzana takes it over for good. They need to see who will nab the fifth spot in the starting rotation — at least until Shane Bieber can return from Tommy John surgery. And, as always, the last spot in the bullpen is up for grabs.
Here's our Guardians 2025 Opening Day roster projection 2.0.
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Catchers (2): Bo Naylor, Austin Hedges
No questions here. The Guardians are hoping that Bo Naylor, in his age-25 season, can take the next step in his development, particularly on the offensive side in a lineup that could use some extra length. He posted a 20-homer, 20-steals season in the minor leagues but hasn't put it together in the majors just yet.
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Infielders (7): Jose Ramirez, Brayan Rocchio, Carlos Santana, Kyle Manzardo, Tyler Freeman, Gabriel Arias, Daniel Schneemann
It is important to note (on a daily basis, if necessary) that spring training stats are never the full story when it comes to roster decisions. That being said, Tyler Freeman and Daniel Schneemann both appear to be putting together quality spring camps. Those two, along with Gabriel Arias — the Guardians like his defense, but he does need to show some offensive production at some point — could handle the second base duties in the short run while also providing outfield depth.
Kyle Manzardo has also been putting up solid numbers and should be in line for semi-regular at-bats in the DH spot, especially with David Fry set to start the season on the injured list.
Angel Martinez and Juan Brito could open the season in Triple-A. And Bazzana, at some point, is on the way.
You must be registered for see images
Outfielders (4): Steven Kwan, Lane Thomas, Jhonkensy Noel, Will Brennan
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt isn't too fond of the term "platoon" — it's too simplistic of a concept for how he actually views things — but Jhonkensy Noel and Will Brennan could see a timeshare in right field while Steven Kwan and Lane Thomas handle left field and center field, respectively.
Johnathan Rodriguez and Chase DeLauter — when he can finally find some resemblance of health — could factor into the right field picture at some point in 2025.
You must be registered for see images
Starting pitchers (5): Tanner Bibee, Luis Ortiz, Gavin Williams, Ben Lively, Triston McKenzie
Barring any last-second injuries, the first four spots should be set, with Tanner Bibee taking the ball on Opening Day.
For the fifth spot, Triston McKenzie might have to be saved by a minor-league-options situation.
McKenzie is out of options, meaning he either needs to be on the major league roster or be exposed to waivers. If he had come to camp and proved his command has returned, this would be an easy decision, but that hasn't been the case. He has an 8.18 ERA with 15 hits (including three home runs), 10 earned runs and eight walks in only 11 innings. Spring training stats are not the whole story, but that isn't exactly a pretty first chapter, either.
However, looking at his pure stuff (meaning movement and other factors), McKenzie has given the Guardians some reasons for optimism, though it doesn't quite overshadow other elements (namely with command).
But considering they likely have to risk losing him if he's not in the starting rotation or the bullpen, McKenzie might be given at least some length of a leash to open the season in the majors in the hopes he can rediscover the command that made him the No. 2 starter in the rotation a few years ago. It isn't a perfect scenario, but it might be better than the alternative given the possibility he finds a breakthrough soon.
Logan Allen has looked pretty good this spring. If the Guardians put McKenzie in the bullpen or do expose him to waivers, the fifth spot could be his.
You must be registered for see images attach
Relief pitchers (8): Emmanuel Clase, Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis, Tim Herrin, Paul Sewald, Jakob Junis, Andrew Walters, Kolby Allard
The first six spots should be locked up. Andrew Walters could make sense for No. 7 after a strong finish to 2024.
For the eighth, it's possible Kolby Allard has done enough as a non-roster invitee to force his way onto the Opening Day roster. It won't be difficult for the Guardians to open space on the 40-man roster for him. That would also give the bullpen a second lefty.
Erik Sabrowski will open the season on the injured list. Slade Cecconi should figure into the mix (rotation or bullpen) at some point but could be headed to Triple-A to begin 2025.
Tyler Naquin won't come anywhere near the Opening Day roster, but his quest to convert to a pitcher will be interesting to watch.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians Opening Day roster projection, prediction
Continue reading...
