The Cleveland Guardians are coming off a fantastic 2024 season when they reached the American League Championship Series in Stephen Vogt’s first year as manager.
Vogt’s contagious energy and the trust he had in his players were among the main reasons the team made it that far.
It’s time to leave 2024 behind, though.
The Guardians and Vogt should focus on what’s ahead, and that’s what they are doing.
Of course, expectations will be much higher.
Speaking of things Cleveland wants to achieve this year, Vogt named two that could be interpreted as what he will request from his players.
“It’s pick up where we left off,” Vogt said, according to Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com, “and keep pushing to get better.”
Picking up where they left off would mean being a highly competitive team with a clear identity, a strong bullpen and a promising offense capable of winning the AL Central.
Vogt wants to add the “get better” element and have his players improve.
That likely would result in more wins and better performance overall.
They are two reasonable yet incredibly difficult requests.
If the Guardians want to break their long World Series drought, they will need to push their limits.
That goes for everyone in the organization.
It should be a fun season in Cleveland, one that will include the return of Shane Bieber and could feature one or two breakout performances.
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