The Cleveland Guardians have some of the best pitching in the league.
The unit lost Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie for large chunks of the season last year, but their depth and ability to produce and develop quality arms helped them withstand the loss of their aces.
With Bieber and McKenzie out, they gave Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Logan Allen, Xzavion Curry, Hunter Gaddis, and others a chance to impress, and most of them were outstanding.
However, they need to find themselves at least a couple of power bats to have a chance of returning to the postseason.
They do have a nice core, with Jose Ramirez, the Naylor brothers, and Andres Gimenez.
They need much more, though, especially considering they finished dead last in home runs last season.
Noted Guardians fan account @Franmilseyebrow highlighted a significant challenge ahead for the Guards: bring in tangible offensive improvements when teams aren’t particularly keen on trading for Bieber, their primary negotiating chip.
“If you’re not trading Shane Bieber, you have to figure out how you’re going to address the glaring offensive holes, all while keeping Deyvison De Los Santos and Estevan Florial in the organization. One way or another: get some bats, and keep the high ceiling ones you have,” he tweeted.
If you’re not trading Shane Bieber, you have to figure out how you’re going to address the glaring offensive holes, all while keeping Deyvison De Los Santos and Estevan Florial in the organization.
One way or another: get some bats, and keep the high ceiling ones you have.
— La Mole (@FranmilsEyebrow) January 2, 2024
It’s possible that the new additions bump De Los Santos and/or Florial off the active roster, but there would be little point in doing that when they should be given more chances at the MLB level, particularly Florial.
However, Cleveland still needs bats, and since teams are wary of trading for a risky guy like Bieber, the Guards need to get creative: high-ceiling acquisitions, undervalued contributors, players returning from injury, and similar scenarios.
The budget just doesn’t appear to be large enough to contend for the Cody Bellinger’s of the Teoscar Hernandeze’s of the world.
NEXT: Guardians Are Favorites To Land Promising Outfielder
