By: BHS Sports Staff
March 13, 2025
The weather is starting to warm up, and baseball season is right around the corner.
After their major success last season in which they went 92-69 and were three games away from a World Series appearance, the Cleveland Guardians have made some changes to this year’s roster and are poised for another successful run in 2025.
Right after the heartbreaking loss in Game 5 of the ALCS last year against the New York Yankees, the Guardians got right to work for the beginning of a crazy offseason. The first move the Guardians made was sending Platinum Glover second-baseman Andres Gimenez and relief pitcher Nick Sandlin to the Toronto Blue Jays for second-baseman Spencer Horwitz, who later flipped to the Pittsburgh Pirates for starting pitcher Luis Ortiz and two other pitching prospects.
The Guardians’ next trade was shipping first-baseman Josh Naylor, who contributed 31 homers and 108 RBIs in 2024, to the Arizona Diamondbacks for starting pitcher Slade Cecconi and a Competitive Balance pick. Minutes later, Cleveland countered this move by bringing back hometown favorite Carlos Santana on a one-year deal.
Cleveland did lose big postseason contributors Matthew Boyd and Alex Cobb to free agency, but they returned Shane Bieber and Austin Hedges for another year and signed relief pitcher Paul Sewald and starting pitchers Jakob Junis and John Means.
So far in Spring Training, the Guardians record hasn’t looked the best as of Wednesday at 7-10, but some players have stood out early.
First baseman Kyle Manzardo, in 26 at-bats, is hitting .385 with a 1.140 OPS, tallying two home runs and five RBIs. Shortstop Brayan Rocchio is continuing his huge postseason success into the Spring with a .391 average in 23 at-bats. A guy trying to earn the starting second base job is utility man Tyler Freeman, who is hitting .381 in 21 at-bats.
As for the pitching staff, Gavin Williams is looking for a bounce-back season, and so far through eight innings this Spring, he has only allowed one run while striking out 16 batters. Another starter looking for a bounce-back season is Logan Allen, who has been excellent this Spring, giving up just one run in 10.2 innings.
The Guardians are projected to hover around .500, but this team is still loaded and loves the underdog role. A potential opening day lineup includes Steven Kwan, Kyle Manzardo, Jose Ramirez, Carlos Santana, Lane Thomas, Jhonkensy Noel, whoever wins the 2B job, Bo Naylor, and Brayan Rocchio.
The starting pitching staff will more-than-likely begin the season with Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Luis Ortiz, Ben Lively, and Joey Cantillo, plus the best bullpen in baseball featuring Emmanuel Clase, Cade Smith, Tim Herrin, and Hunter Gaddis.
To stay up-to-date with the Guardians throughout the year, visit the Cleveland Guardians Website.
Let’s pack Progressive Field this Summer. There is nothing better than a ball game at the Corner of Carnegie and Ontario.
Go Guardians!
{For up-to-date events and schedules, visit Brooklyn Hurricanes Athletics.}
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 