The Cleveland Guardians are trending in the right direction.
As a team that wasn’t likely to make the playoffs, they wound up winning the AL Central.
However, they’re far from flawless.
They had some serious offensive woes all year long, and they need to address them this offseason.
As such, they will have to allocate their resources more efficiently, especially given their unwillingness to have a big payroll.
With that in mind, they could let three key players leave as free agents, according to insider Joe Noga.
“There are a few names on this list that really stand out as guys that might not even be offered contracts back to come back next year,” Noga said. “Of those names, the ones that stand out, guys like Sam Hentges, Nolan Jones and Will Brennan.”
The Guardians aren’t likely to make any big-time acquisitions in the offseason.
Of course, that doesn’t mean they won’t sign reinforcements.
They might target players in the $20 million range, knowing that they have to prioritize adding another reliever and a right-handed hitter.
That’s why it makes sense to move on from players who may not have a future with the organization, including pitcher Hentgen and outfielders Jones and Brennan.
This offseason will be crucial to the organization for years to come.
It can choose to double down on the core and surround Jose Ramirez with the supporting cast he needs to get to the World Series, or it can hope that rookies bail them out and give them the offensive punch they need.
Hopefully, the Guardians will combine both approaches.
NEXT: Daniel Espino Is Turning Heads In Arizona Fall League
