Not only are the Cleveland Guardians entering a tough part of their schedule, starting with a nine game trek to Colorado, Los Angeles, and Minnesota, but the front office will have to make more tough decisions when it comes to the make up of the 26 man roster.
DH Franmil Reyes is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment tomorrow night in Columbus, so his return to the active roster will likely come, barring a setback, when the Guards return to Progressive Field on June 24th against the Red Sox.
The player called up when Reyes was placed on the injured list isn’t likely to be going back when he returns. Oscar Gonzalez has provided the offense with a jolt since his arrival, batting .391 in 65 at bats and a 931 OPS. Although Gonzalez hasn’t cleared the fences for a home run, he has totaled nine doubles after joining the big league roster.
Terry Francona has enjoyed using a rotating DH spot with Reyes out, enabling him to give Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor some extra rest, so when the big man comes back he could find himself in the outfield more frequently.
We know the offense has done well in Reyes’ absence, but make no mistake, the Guardians could very much use the guy who belted 30 homers last year in the middle of their lineup. Outside of Jose Ramirez, no one has hit more than seven long balls (Naylor and Andres Gimenez).
Cleveland is 12th in the AL in home runs.
So, who departs when Reyes is activated? Do the Guards stay with an extra infielder who occasionally fills in out in LF like Ernie Clement? Or does Oscar Mercado, who hasn’t hit much since the calendar turned to May stay on the roster because of his speed and defense in the outfield?
Mercado started the 2022 season hitting the long ball, with three dingers in April, but since, he’s gone 9 for 46 with just one homer and has walked just twice with 13 punchouts. He’s also hitting just .174 (447 OPS) against lefties.
Clement can play 2B, 3B, and LF, and probably could play an acceptable shortstop too, and is hitting .217 (519 OPS) against southpaws.
The problem for Clement is Francona could use Owen Miller the same way, although we’ve only seen Miller at short in the bigs for one game.
So, what plays better roster wise, Mercado’s ability to play all three outfield spots or Clement’s ability to play infield and left?
Also, Mercado is out of options, so he would have to be DFA’d if he was the casualty when Reyes returns.
Another move could be coming to the bullpen when James Karinchak is ready, and again, that could happen when the team returns home.
If Karinchak is throwing strikes, he can fill the set up man role which has been a revolving door recently for Francona, with Eli Morgan currently the guy he trusts the most.
If Morgan continues to do well, he gives the skipper two options.
Trevor Stephan got off to a great start in April, but has struggled since.
The most likely candidate to be sent back is Nick Sandlin, who right now seems to have home plate jumping around on him, with 16 walks in 17 innings. We have long said there are two things relievers have to avoid: home runs and walks.
Sandlin has only allowed two long balls, but the walks are a problem. He may need to go back to Columbus and find his control and then come back up to the big club.
Of course, someone could get banged up on the trip and force different moves, but we wouldn’t be surprised if Reyes and Karinchak are back in Cleveland after the nine game trip.
Cleveland Sports Perspective 