The Cleveland Guardians were playing competitive baseball in the American League Championship Series just a couple of days ago.
They have been eliminated, and now, they are in off-season mode.
That means we will be seeing some transactions and decisions in upcoming days.
One of the things they have to decide is what to do about the middle infield.
Andrés Giménez is the second baseman, and Brayan Rocchio is the shortstop.
Despite an underwhelming regular season with the bat and a few defensive blips in the postseason, Rocchio showed enough offense in October to warrant a longer look in 2025, helped by a few circumstances.
“I think the Guardians ultimately give Rocchio another year. Yes, he made some costly errors this postseason. But he also led the team in OPS. Bazzana won’t be ready on Opening Day, so I think they give one more look to Rocchio before they consider shifting Gimenez to SS,” Guardians of the Land posted on X.
I think the Guardians ultimately give Rocchio another year. Yes, he made some costly errors this postseason. But he also led the team in OPS. Bazzana won't be ready on Opening Day, so I think they give one more look to Rocchio before they consider shifting Gimenez to SS.
— Guardians of The Land (@OurCLEGuardians) October 21, 2024
When the Guardians took Travis Bazzana with the No. 1 overall pick in the Draft back in June, their intention was for him to become their second baseman of the future eventually.
That’s still the plan, with Giménez (under team control for a long time due to a lucrative extension) moving to shortstop thanks to his elite glove.
But Bazzana isn’t ready for the majors and won’t be to open the 2025 campaign.
Rocchio, who posted a .614 OPS in the regular season but a .906 mark in the playoffs, is set to enter next season as the starting shortstop barring a change of plans.
He isn’t as bad as his regular season OPS suggests, but also not nearly as good as his playoff numbers.
As it usually happens, the truth is his level is somewhere in between.
That ‘in between’ he might show in 2025 will likely decide his future on the team.
He contributes some steals and excellent defense, so much that he is nominated for the Gold Glove.
His offense, however, will make or break his Guardians stint.
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