Long before the start of the season, Cleveland Guardians fans talked about how the team didn’t have enough firepower to keep up with other teams on offense.
That was a talking point all year long, and it’s a major issue even now that their season is over.
That’s why it’s not much of a surprise to see that team insider Paul Hoynes believes that adding a proven slugger to the mix should be at the top of their priority list right now:
“I’m not sure if it’s the singer or the song regarding a hitting coach. Besides, the Guardians have at least three hitting coaches on the big-league staff. What they need is a proven big-league hitter, someone who has already served his apprenticeship, and can assist Jose Ramirez before he’s eligible for social security,” Hoynes wrote.
That pretty much sums up the main thing this team needs to address in the offseason.
The starting rotation proved to be much more than capable of holding down the fort against anybody, especially late in the season.
The bullpen was also stellar, and Cade Smith proved to be more than ready to embrace a bigger role as a closer.
Still, that might not be enough.
Granted, C.J. Kayfus, George Valera, and even Chase DeLauter are incredibly gifted on offense, and they definitely need to be a part of the big-league roster from day one.
But just like Hoynes said, they need someone who’s already been there and done that.
They need a proven slugger who won’t have to go through the growing pains and the learning curve that come with making adjustments and getting settled in.
Of course, the Guardians’ front office has never been known for its willingness to spend big bucks on free agents, so it’ll be interesting to see what they do to address this issue.
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