Cleveland Sports Forum

Smith was sp good all season, I wonder if his role could change? Clase is still the ultimate closer and I doubt they'd move Smith to the rotation; so I'll keep him where he is for a two-headed bullpen pair of aces.

Stephen Vogt has been named Manager of the Year by The Sporting News.

civ ollilavad wrote: Sun Nov 03, 2024 9:46 am Smith was sp good all season, I wonder if his role could change? Clase is still the ultimate closer and I doubt they'd move Smith to the rotation; so I'll keep him where he is for a two-headed bullpen pair of aces.

Love that take civ.

I do know one thing about this bullpen the will not be repeating the freakish feats they accomplished this year. Who can say what the 2nd season for Gaddis, Smith and other really young arms? Remember Trevor Stephan? Stuff happens! (Though perhaps Stephan can come back next season and contribute)

On a related topic I hope the front office isn't too overconfident of this team overtall because the bullpen literally carried this team and they can't expect a repeat of a historic season. We have some great pieces but starting pitching should be the priority with 2nd priority seeing if they can trade for a bat.

It's unfortunate that there aren't any minor league starters close to the big time yet.
Comebacks from Williams and Allen would be greatly appreciated!
There does seem to be a thing about Logan Allens going one good year and then flaming out. I'm not giving up on Logan II yet.

Bullpen depth for 2025 has already been developed with Walters and surprisingly Sabrowski. Add back Stephan to Clase, Gaddis, Herrin, Smith and Morgan there are 7 talented arms and if 5 of them are solid we will retain deep depth.

Perhaps lefty Ryan Webb who had a good fall 2023 and summer 2024 could graduate to the back of the rotation sometime in 2025.
BTW, when I looked up his stats I was reminded that like Logan Allens, he would be our second Ryan Webb: his predecessor pitched 40 games in relief for us in 2015

And there's of course always the hope and the prayer for Daniel Espino super prospect when rarely available

Maybe I need to edit my own opinions about starting depth after looking at the Rule 5 eligibles and being reminded that all of LH Webb, LH Doug Nikhazy; and RH had really good seasons in Akron and the first two did well after promotions to Columbus. See stats posted in Minor Matters.

Guardians All-Star 2025 Season Debut Unknown After Offseason Surgery


David Fry of the Cleveland Guardians underwent elbow surgery which will delay his start to the 2025 MLB season.


Tommy Wild | 34 Minutes Ago



The Cleveland Guardians' offseason is not off to a great start. The team announced that their All-Star designated hitter, David Fry, underwent elbow surgery last Wednesday, making his 2025 season debut a massive unknown.

Here's what the organization had to say about Fry's injury and procedure:


"Due to right elbow discomfort during the latter part of the 2024 Season, David Fry was evaluated by Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas, Texas on Tuesday, October 29. After conferring with Cleveland Guardians' physicians and his own clinical evaluation, Dr. Meister confirmed the presence of a chronically insufficient ulnar collateral ligament with a resolving flexor strain of Fry's right elbow. Dr. Meister recommended Fry undergo a surgical procedure and subsequently utilized a hybrid/internal brace and tendon graft reconstruction technique to address the insufficient ligament last Wednesday, October 30 in Dallas, TX. Rehabilitation/recovery is expected to be in the 6-8 month range from a return to hit/DH standpoint and 12 months for a return to game activity from a position player standpoint."



Fry, a first-time All-Star in '24, was a critical piece for the Guardians early in the season because of his defensive versatility. He played first base, catcher, and even some outfield before he exited a game on June 23 with what the team called right elbow inflammation.

This injury never forced Fry to the injured list, but he did take a few games off and rarely played on the field after this game.



If the recovery time goes as planned, Fry may be able to return to the field as the team's designated hitter in June or July. However, he still won't be able to play for another full season in the field.

Fry played a critical piece in the Guardians 2024 ALCS run. He had a .286 batting average and a .869 OPS, including two home runs during the postseason. One of the home runs was a go-ahead two-run shot in Game 3 of the ALDS against the Detroit Tigers, and the other was a walk-off homer in the extra inning of Game 3 against the New York Yankees.


Cleveland will miss Fry's power, and now they have even more pressure to add another bat this offseason.

Published 34 Minutes Ago