It is hard to believe that the Cleveland Guardians will open their defense of the AL Central Division title less than two weeks from now in Seattle. The long cold winter without baseball is about over.
The Guardians roster was pretty much set coming into camp, but there were a couple of spots up for grabs, namely backup catcher and the utility infielder.
The starting lineup is set and we would guess this will be the batting order on March 30th:
LF Steven Kwan
SS Amed Rosario
3B Jose Ramirez
1B Josh Bell
DH Josh Naylor
2B Andres Gimenez
RF Oscar Gonzalez
C Mike Zunino
CF Myles Straw
Since Terry Francona will probably keep 13 pitchers, that leaves room for four spots on the bench, one of which will be taken by Will Brennan.
It seems like the backup catcher will be longtime Kansas City reserve Cam Gallagher, whom Francona said recently the organization has tried to acquire for years.
Gallagher is a lifetime .240 hitter (656 OPS), but remember, what the Guardians value most at that position is defense and handling pitchers, and they trust the veteran, so he would seem to have a leg up, although he will have to be added to the 40-man roster.
Gabriel Arias seems to have one of the bench spots wrapped up as well. Remember, he did get some action in the Division Series against the Yankees. He’s had a very good spring, going 13 for 37, but has struck out 11 times.
He’s also played two games in LF and we know he can play all four infield positions, so he has versatility.
That would seem to leave the last spot between Tyler Freeman, Roman Quinn, with an outside shot for David Fry.
Freeman is another middle infielder by trade, and he’s played two games in leftfield as well. He’s just 5 for 28 on the spring, but has hit a number of balls on the button without good results. Freeman is a contact guy (3 walks, 4 whiffs) which fits in with the profile of the organization.
Quinn would have to be added to the 40-man roster as well, but he has plenty of major league experience, having played 201 games with the Phillies from 2016-22, and 22 games with the Rays last season.
Despite a two home run game early in the spring, Quinn is more of a speed and defense guy, spending most of his time in centerfield. If he makes the team, it would allow Francona to not have to shift Kwan or Brennan to center if he pinch hits for Myles Straw.
Unfortunately, until yesterday, his only hits this spring are three homers. He’s just 5 for 26.
The allure of Fry would be his ability to catch, giving Francona a third catcher. However, the only other positions he plays are 3B, which seems to be covered, and 1B where the Guards have Bell, Naylor, and also Arias who have played there.
He hasn’t caught a lot in the high minors, but did go the Arizona Fall League and was behind the plate for 10 games last fall.
He’s gone 6 for 20 in Arizona with four walks at the plate. He’s a long shot but would provide some unique flexibility on the roster.
With less than two weeks before a decision has to be made, watch how the skipper uses these players. Our guess is he will give them all a lot of at bats and chances.
That said, all will probably be counted on before the season is completed.
Cleveland Sports Perspective 