Insider Sees Bigger Role For Gabriel Arias Moving Forward

The Cleveland Guardians’ depth will be thoroughly tested this week. They have lost three everyday players to injury, all with ailments resulting from Saturday’s game: Jose Ramirez, Chase DeLauter, and Angel Martinez.

The team now has Khalil Watson, Stuart Fairchild, and Petey Halpin all up in the majors to help in the outfield, but replacing Ramirez might be a bigger issue.

As you probably know, Ramirez is irreplaceable in Cleveland, not just as a hitter, but as an overall player and baseball figure. Still, the Guardians have to try someone.

Several factors make Gabriel Arias, who recently returned from a stint on the injured list with a hamstring strain, the best option to plug and play at the hot corner while Ramirez is gone. He is a very good defensive player at shortstop and second base, and while he doesn’t have as much experience at third, it should be a smooth transition.

Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes thinks Arias will be the one playing third base until Ramirez gets back into action. The insider praised his defense, above all things.

“His strong suit, obviously his defense. He’s played a lot on the left side of the infield. He said, you know, that’s no problem for him,” Hoynes said. “When Arias gets to the point where he can play every day, I think he’ll be their main third baseman until Ramírez gets back.”

Arias might not be able to play every day right away because he just came off the injury list, but that should come relatively soon. Once he reaches that point, there’s no better option than him on the roster, at least.

Arias can be a highly frustrating hitter, and that’s evidenced by his career 76 wRC+. He is not even close to league average. However, he is also sporting a 98 wRC+ this season.

He hasn’t played much because of his injury, but he is also boasting a .441 slugging percentage. Arias might not get on base much, but he does have over-the-fence power.

The downgrade from Ramirez to Arias is enormous, and it needs to be said. Still, the Guardians don’t have much choice at this point, and they do like Arias’ chances of playing, at least, league-average offense and solid defense while the star of the team is gone.