The baseball team at the center of attention last season was none other than Cleveland Guardians. Having completed the season with an impressive score, being only second in the American League with a total of 92 victories. Not just that, they advanced further into the American League Championship Series. This group’s performance during the previous season indicated promising signs of future success.
Unfortunately, their strong track record faced a hurdle with the onset of the offseason. The team made some debatable trade-offs, leading to the departure of a few beloved team members such as Josh Naylor and Andres Gimenez. These transitions have undeniably raised several eyebrows among fans and experts alike.
The changes in the team composition have been drastic contrast to how the Guardians’ team roster looked in the year 2024. Despite these observable shifts, many ratings still rank them high up among the top echelons of MLB, demonstrating enduring confidence in their capabilities.
One must keep in mind that a grand reshuffle during the offseason was never on the horizon, given Cleveland Guardians’ financial approach. Nonetheless, it is undeniable that they have been diligently focusing on remodelling the team, even if it involves a few financial sacrifices along the way.
Certainly, approving these offseason transitions wasn’t a walk in the park for the Guardians. There was a clear element of risk involved. Yet, where there is a risk, there lies the potential for a grand reward too. The Guardians, no doubt, are playing for high stakes.
One such gamble was trading Andrés Giménez, which brought on board Luis L. Ortiz, the promising starting pitcher, as part of a three-legged deal involving the Pirates and the Blue Jays. This was, undeniably, one of the most quietly impressive swaps made during the winter season.
Another significant boost has been the return of a strong player like Gavin Williams to Cleveland’s rotation. His valuable addition should not be overlooked when assessing how much he will potentially enrich their pitching depth.
This doesn’t mean, however, that there are no uncertainties hovering around. There are still open positions to fill, with the most contentious one being the second base. Also, the outfield lineup needs a significant player ready to step up when duty calls.
But one must not forget that the Guardians are not a vastly different team. Most of its compositions remain the same, and some aspects have indeed strengthened. This is the very team that was just three victories shy of making an appearance in the World series in the previous season.
For a team that’s shown robust performance, a number 9 slot seems suitable enough. However, this is just the beginning. The real test of their strength and ability to maintain this position, or better it, will only be proven once the upcoming season gets underway.