Cleveland Sports Forum

David Blitzer officially joins Guardians as minority investor, with pathway to majority ownership
By Zack Meisel




David Blitzer officially joins Guardians as minority investor, with pathway to majority ownership.
The successor to the Dolan family, the longest-tenured owners in Cleveland's franchise history, is officially in place.

An agreement has been finalized for David Blitzer to join the Guardians organization, initially as a minority investor, but with a pathway to become majority owner. Sources suggested to The Athletic throughout the last year that Paul Dolan was seeking to maintain control for about five more years.

For now, Blitzer is purchasing about 25 to 30 percent of the team, multiple sources said. Matt Kaulig, a Cleveland-based businessman who played quarterback at the University of Akron in the ‘90s, will also be part of the minority investor arrangement.

The Dolans purchased the franchise from the Jacobs family for $323 million in 1999. About 15 years later, they hired Allen & Co., a sports banking boutique led by Steve Greenberg, son of former Cleveland GM Hank Greenberg, to help them identify a new partner. Through that process, they secured John Sherman as a minority owner and potential successor, but after about three years with the organization, Sherman instead paid $1 billion for his hometown Kansas City Royals.

Paul Dolan has been seeking a replacement for Sherman ever since. Last year, Dolan and the team’s top executives completed the process of changing the team name, which had stood for more than a century. They also extended the club’s ballpark lease, which will tether them to Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland through at least 2036 and includes $435 million in ballpark upgrades and renovations. The contract also includes a pair of five-year options.

As Dolan checked those items off his task list last summer, he ramped up his efforts to land a new business partner. He provided ballpark tours for several interested parties, and he engaged in what he described as “meaningful discussions” with Blitzer as the year unfolded. Any agreement was bound to include an eventual transfer of power, according to several sources with knowledge of the negotiations. Sherman also had a path to majority ownership etched into his pact, though his came without a specific timeline and instead was left up to Dolan’s discretion, sources said.

Blitzer already has stakes in an array of teams from various leagues, including the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, as well as several soccer clubs in both the United States and in Europe.

The league’s owners approved Blitzer’s investment in the Guardians earlier this month, which commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed at the owners’ meetings about two weeks ago.

The Guardians opened the season with a payroll just shy of $70 million, which ranked 27th in the league, ahead of only the rebuilding Athletics, Pirates and Orioles.

In late March, Forbes valued the franchise at $1.3 billion, which ranked 24th among MLB teams.

How should Cleveland Guardians approach trade deadline? A Q&A with Jim Bowden



Jun 25, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians shortstop Amed Rosario (1) rounds the bases during his RBI triple in the third inning against the Boston Red Sox at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
By Zack Meisel and Jim Bowden
Jun 27, 2022


There are obvious buyers and obvious sellers this trade season, the sorts of teams who are all-in, one direction or the other, to make immediate boosts to their roster for 2022 or further build for the future. And then there’s Cleveland.

With such a young major-league roster and a healthy farm system, the Guardians seem to have the trade ammunition to land pretty much whomever they want. And because they’re in position to contend this year in the lousy AL Central (even if they didn’t anticipate that would be the case until a few weeks ago) and plan to contend for the next several years, they’ll be buyers … to some degree.

With that in mind, how should team president Chris Antonetti and general manager Mike Chernoff approach the next month as they survey the trade landscape? How should they balance their pursuit of short- and long-term help?

We put those questions and more to The Athletic’s resident GM, Jim Bowden.

Bowden: The Guardians have a legitimate shot at winning the AL Central this season. At the very least, they have a realistic chance of making the playoffs as a wild-card team. They’ve built a well-rounded team that can pitch, play defense, make contact at the plate and “move the chains” with smart base running. They are fundamentally sound. If they can add a middle-of-the-order impact bat and/or significant starting pitcher, they should do it.

As you mentioned, they have the farm system to land any player in the trade market, and this is the year to do that, even if it means parting with a significant prospect or a young, non-arbitration-eligible player on their major-league roster. Why now versus waiting? Because the division is much weaker than in most years. The Tigers and Royals will be much better in the future. The White Sox, in theory, will be healthier. This division is winnable, and with so many rebuilding teams around the league, there’s a relatively clear path to playoff baseball. So this is the year to make the move that might make you a tad uncomfortable, parting with a future piece for a today piece.

Meisel: The Guardians have a well-documented excess of upper-level middle-infield prospects. Andrés Giménez has established himself in the big leagues this year, but we still haven’t seen Gabriel Arias, Tyler Freeman or Brayan Rocchio. Arias and Freeman, in particular, are bordering on being big-league-ready. The Guardians know they need to trade one or two members of their shortstop stockpile in the near future.

In your experience, is it more advantageous to put together a trade package — a few well-regarded prospects for an established player — at the trade deadline or during the offseason? Are there benefits to waiting until the winter, when more teams might express interest?

Bowden: I’m not a believer in making or not making trades based on whether it’s in-season or the offseason. I believe you make a trade when it makes your team better and you feel you’re getting the value back in the deal that makes your organization better. I also think middle-infield depth will be invaluable, particularly at this trade deadline, when so many of the “selling” teams need middle-infield help long term. Bottom line, here’s my answer: Don’t ever make a trade based on surplus; make a trade when it improves your organization the most, whether it’s during or after the season.

Meisel: As for team needs, the Guardians could use an immediate boost at catcher, with Austin Hedges and Luke Maile offering little at the plate. Their long-term need at catcher might not be as pressing now that prospect Bo Naylor has made massive strides at the plate (which helped him receive a recent promotion to Triple A). Assistant GM James Harris, who oversees the farm system, said of Naylor’s improvements: “I wish I could bottle it up and give it to other guys.”

Like most teams, they could use short- and long-term help in the rotation and bullpen. This front office loves targeting players with ample control. So, how much more would a starting pitcher such as Miami’s Pablo López (2 1/2 years remaining) cost than a starter like Oakland’s Frankie Montas (1 1/2 years remaining)? Which type of player makes more sense for Cleveland?

Bowden: Both of them make sense, and let’s add Cincinnati’s Luis Castillo, who has 1 1/2 years of control remaining, to that list. Obviously, I like having the extra year of control with López, but you also must account for the fact that he’s had shoulder issues in the past and is, to some degree, more of a health risk than the other two. Another thing to keep in mind: If you acquire any of these starters, you’ve improved your chances of winning this season while still having the option to trade them in the offseason or at next year’s trade deadline to replenish the prospect pool.

Meisel: Right. I keep coming back to the example of 2011, when Cleveland wasn’t a legitimate contender but had at least taken steps toward that distinction. The front office felt it was set up well for the immediate future, so it swung a deal for Ubaldo Jiménez. That trade didn’t pay dividends for two years, but Jiménez helped fuel the run to the wild-card game in 2013.

In 2016, Cleveland was in a similar position to its current standing — the onset of a contention window — and swung a trade for Andrew Miller. The bullpen has fared better than many expected this season, but, like many teams, the Guardians could use another top-tier reliever to pair with closer Emmanuel Clase.

Who will be available who fits that description and could make sense for the Guardians?

Bowden: The trade market is expected to be loaded with available relievers. Some of the relief arms I love who could be available include David Bednar of the Pirates, Joe Barlow of the Rangers and Scott Barlow of the Royals. All three are young righties under team control for at least two more seasons. There are also less-costly veterans available, such as Daniel Bard of the Rockies or Mark Melancon of the Diamondbacks.

Meisel: Bednar is especially intriguing, given his 4 1/2 years of team control. And, you know, his 97 mph fastball and wipeout curveball.

Ever seen an off-speed pitch suck the soul out of a hitter? Watch this:

So much of the Cleveland front office’s work is dedicated to building up this roster, but there are two veteran-ish players whose futures the team must consider.

Let’s start with Shane Bieber, who has two more years of team control remaining and whose velocity has decreased considerably this season, but he has remained effective. Would you look to trade him this winter to capitalize on his value? Would you be hesitant to grant him a hefty contract extension because of the velocity concerns and last year’s shoulder injury, or would you be more willing to do so now that a new minority (and, eventually, majority) owner, David Blitzer, is aboard and Bieber is still boasting solid numbers?

Bowden: I would stay in a holding pattern with Bieber: try to get to the playoffs with him this year and reassess the situation in the offseason based on how he pitches the rest of the way. Right now, I have no interest in an extension because of the risk and no interest in trading him because I need Bieber and Triston McKenzie to pitch Games 1 and 2 of a potential postseason series.

Meisel: Amed Rosario can become a free agent after the 2023 season. He doesn’t really fit in Cleveland’s long-term plans and seems to be holding down shortstop only until Arias or Freeman is ready for the majors. Should the club dangle him this summer? Does he have much trade value? For whatever it’s worth, he’s a central figure in the team’s clubhouse.

Bowden: I would dangle Rosario. I like the player but never thought he was more than a utilityman you can move around the diamond. If another GM thinks Rosario is an everyday player, I would consider moving him for that type of return value.

Meisel: Are there any other players you would pursue if you ran the operation in Cleveland?

Bowden: First baseman/outfielder/DH Trey Mancini of the Orioles, outfielder Bryan Reynolds of the Pirates and first baseman/DH Josh Bell of the Nationals. I would target all three but land one, then figure out where everyone played after the trade. I like Reynolds the best for Cleveland because of his plus defensive ability.

Guardians unconcerned over McKenzie's struggles

CLEVELAND -- Triston McKenzie does not dig the long ball.

On a day when the Guardians were hoping to turn the page on a sloppy weekend series to focus on setting a more energetic tone against the first-place Twins, McKenzie couldn’t keep the ball in the ballpark, resulting in Cleveland’s 11-1 loss to Minnesota on Monday night at Progressive Field, extending the Guardians’ losing streak to five games.

McKenzie’s seven earned runs tied his career high, and it marked the first time he’s given up at least six earned runs in consecutive outings. Monday was the same story it’s been for his last eight starts: Giving up home runs. The right-hander gave up a three-run homer to Gary Sánchez and a two-run blast to Nick Gordon, totaling 15 home runs in McKenzie’s last eight starts after he had given up just one homer in his first six trips to the rubber to start the season.

“I think it’s probably a little different every time out,” Guardians manager Terry Francona said. “I thought tonight his stuff was really good. Even in his last inning, the ball was going through the zone really well. He just caught too much of the plate with too many pitches, and some lineups will make you pay more than others.”

he pace in which McKenzie has given up home runs puts him in rare company, as he joins a short list of Cleveland hurlers who have given up at least 15 blasts in an eight-start span in a single season, joining Josh Tomlin (2018) and Charles Nagy (1998). Of the 36 runs McKenzie has allowed this season, 22 have come via the long ball (61.1%).

“I think home runs are a part of the game,” McKenzie said. “It’s more solo homers are OK because it’s one run. But when you allow those to compound and you give up hits or you walk guys beforehand and one-run home runs turn into two- or three-run home runs, that’s when they really change the game.”

After beginning the year with a 2.65 ERA over his first nine games (eight starts), McKenzie owns a 6.44 ERA (21 earned runs in 29 1/3 innings) in June. But neither Francona nor McKenzie have found a concerning trend during this stretch that would cause them to think these struggles should continue. And if you ask his opponents, they haven’t found a specific fault to focus on, either.

“He doesn’t have many outings like that,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “You go back and look at the work he’s been doing, he’s very challenging. He’s got a fastball with tons of carry. Every pitch that he has is a tough pitch to square up.

“All that being said, we’re not going to take any of what we’re doing right now against him for granted. We’ll have to get ready. We’re going to see him again at some point soon.”

Guardians mailbag: Andrés Giménez’s future, José Ramírez’s MVP chances, trade talk



Cleveland Guardians' Andrés Giménez runs leaves the batter's box after hitting an RBI double against the Texas Rangers during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 8, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Nick Cammett)
By Zack Meisel

CLEVELAND — To your questions (which have been edited for clarity and length) …

What will it take for Andrés Giménez to get playing time against lefties? It’s frustrating to see a 23-year-old who has made massive improvements and leads all second basemen in fWAR get platooned with Ernie Clement. Do the Guardians see him as a long-term solution for one of the middle-infield positions or are they just trying to slowly grow his confidence? — Josh C.

I asked manager Terry Francona about that this week, the art of gradually offering young hitters more opportunities to prove they can handle an everyday role.

“I’ll have people ask me from time to time,” he said, “like, on the street: ‘Why don’t you hit (Steven) Kwan first?’ Like, back in April. We’re trying to develop this kid, and I want to make sure that when we do something, we’re not setting a young player back. I talked to Giménez earlier in the year because he was the kid who felt like he had to get three hits or he wasn’t going to be playing the next day. I said, ‘Hey, there are going to be some days … you’ll grow into it. So don’t be trying to do too much.’ I think, more often than not, that’s how everyday players get to be (everyday players).”

For the last two weeks, Giménez has played every day, no matter the handedness of the opposing pitcher. (As he should.) A primary objective for the Guardians this season is to identify core members of the roster, the guys Francona can pencil into future lineups. Giménez has capitalized on his opportunity in the first half. He should be (and, very recently, has been) rewarded with more chances.

There’s also this:

Giménez vs. RHP in 2022: .318/.361/.533 slash line
Giménez vs. LHP in 2022: .318/.348/.432 slash line


José Ramírez has finished top six in AL MVP voting four times. (Ken Blaze / USA Today)
What are José Ramírez’s realistic chances to win AL MVP? — Andrew S.

It won’t be easy. Rafael Devers, Mike Trout, Aaron Judge and Yordan Alvarez are having exemplary seasons. Ramírez deserves credit for having such a diverse skill set: He hits for average and power, walks far more often than he strikes out, runs the bases at an elite level and typically plays above-average defense. But it’s a crowded competition this year in the American League. He’ll need a second-half surge to stand out. (The following stats are as of Tuesday morning.)

Devers: 4.2 fWAR, 176 wRC+, .995 OPS
Judge: 4.0 fWAR, 179 wRC+, 1.006 OPS
Ramírez: 3.9 fWAR, 178 wRC+, 1.000 OPS
Trout: 3.8 fWAR, 188 wRC+, 1.038 OPS
Alvarez: 3.4 fWAR, 198 wRC+, 1.053 OPS

It’s pretty wild how similar the numbers are for each player. Depending on your preferred criteria, you could probably build a case for any of the five at the moment.

What is the Guardians’ record this year with and without Franmil Reyes? Does he even fit in their lineup anymore? Even if he returns to his usual slash line, his all-or-nothing approach is clearly something the organization is trying to shy away from. — Alex J.

Entering Tuesday’s action, Cleveland was 17-23 when Reyes played and 19-10 when he didn’t. Only the A’s and Tigers, by far the two most pitiful offenses in the league, have socked fewer home runs than the Guardians. So, they need some oomph in the middle of the order. But Reyes hasn’t provided that this season. He carried a .314 slugging percentage into the doubleheader against the Twins, only a slight upgrade from the muscle (or lack thereof) the team has received from its catching corps.

Reyes’ hard-hit rate of 55.2 percent ranks in the top 2 percent in the majors, so when he hits the ball, he does so with authority. He just … doesn’t hit the ball with enough frequency. Only Rays outfielder Brett Phillips owns a worse strikeout rate.

Reyes’ track record would suggest a reversal of fortunes is coming, but it’s worth wondering what his future holds. He’ll be due — at minimum — $4.55 million this winter via arbitration. The club controls him through the 2024 season, but there’s a horde of position players angling for major-league plate appearances if his struggles persist.

For the first time in a long time we have outfield talent in the bigs and below. What area of weakness needs the biggest upgrade to be true long-term contenders? — Rob A.

This feels strange to say regarding this organization, but … how about the starting rotation?

The Guardians’ approach to the trade deadline will be fascinating. The front office will demonstrate over the next five weeks how strongly it believes this team can hang around in the AL Central race. The Guardians have a glaring need for a catcher who can hit his weight; those are scarce in today’s game, but there should be at least a couple of them available at the trade deadline. They could use another reliable arm in the bullpen, too.

Those are the immediate needs, though, and you asked about long-term upgrades. This front office targets players with an abundance of team control. There are enough intriguing middle infielders and outfielders in the organization to satisfy those positions. If the Guardians can land an unquestioned improvement in the outfield — an All-Star caliber player — that would be worth pursuing. But it doesn’t seem to be as pressing of a need as another top-line starter.

In a year or two, Daniel Espino, Gavin Williams and Logan Allen could usher in a new era of talented Cleveland rotations. Until then (and maybe beyond), the club could use someone to pair with Shane Bieber on the front end. The Guardians’ rotation entered Tuesday’s doubleheader ranked 19th in the league with a pedestrian 4.20 ERA.

If you had to extend one position player and one pitcher right now, who would they be? — Michael J.

Can I opt to re-extend Ramírez?

This is a trickier question than it might seem. I considered Giménez because he’ll be eligible for arbitration after next season and it might be prudent to secure him to a long-term deal soon.

But I’ll instead surprise you with a different answer, a player who hasn’t even reached Triple A: George Valera. I’m no prospects expert, but I think he’s a safe bet to be a productive major leaguer, at worst someone who will hit for power and whose patience will translate into a healthy on-base percentage.

Before he stepped onto a big-league diamond, Luis Robert signed a six-year, $50 million contract (with club options that could make it an eight-year, $88 million deal) with the White Sox in January 2020. This winter, I’d at least explore if Valera were open to a similar arrangement, probably a bit less pricy because Robert was widely deemed a top 10 prospect in the sport. If the two sides could hammer out a deal, the Guardians wouldn’t need to worry about manipulating Valera’s service time next season.

Much of what makes this topic difficult to answer is we know little about each player’s preferences. Valera did receive a $1.3 million signing bonus when he joined the organization in 2017.

As for the pitching side, I’m inclined to still lean Bieber, since he’s unearthed ways to remain effective despite the velocity drop, but the terms of any pact would have to look awfully different than they would have 12 to 18 months ago. There isn’t another obvious answer. A month ago, I might have said Triston McKenzie, but only Toronto’s José Berríos has surrendered more home runs this season.

Would you expect the Guardians to move at least one of their middle-infield prospects at the trade deadline? Wouldn’t it make sense to move at least one of Tyler Freeman/Gabriel Arias/Brayan Rocchio/Jose Tena? — Collin B.

For sure. Those in the front office know they’ll need to deal from that surplus this summer or this winter. There’s a Catch-22 with all of this: That prospect you’re eager to see in the majors is probably the prospect other teams would covet, too. In their ideal world, the Guardians will identify a team that values their prospects differently than they do internally.

Freeman and Arias should be major-league options pretty soon, and there isn’t room for both of them — especially with Amed Rosario still occupying the shortstop position. So, at some point, the front office needs to settle this logjam. But even with that pressure, it still needs to be the right trade. Timing is everything. They’ll want to deal a prospect when his value is high.

Am I the only one excited about the schedule changes in 2023? I am sick of hearing how weak the AL Central is, as if the teams don’t play the entirety of April in freezing weather. — Alex J.

I’m with you. I’ve been asking for this for years. It’s one thing to battle your division foes with regularity, but the disparity — playing division opponents nearly three times as often — is too great. A more balanced schedule can give us a clearer understanding of how to compare teams in different divisions.

Plus, the new format will allow fans to see more MLB stars on a regular basis, which is sorely needed.

Here’s how the schedule will look:

• 14 games against each division opponent
• Six games against each non-division league opponent
• Four games against a league-appointed rival
• Three games against each of the other 14 teams from the opposite league

So, instead of visiting Cleveland maybe once or twice in his career, Ronald Acuña Jr., for instance, should play at Progressive Field every other year.

Do you think Will Benson or Alex Call will get a shot with the big-league club at some point? — Elizabeth A.

Call will turn 28 in September and although his walk/strikeout rates fit the team’s M.O., he’s probably better suited for a shot with a team that doesn’t have such a crowded position-player picture.

Benson is interesting. The 2016 first-round pick just turned 24. He’ll never hit for average or make a ton of contact, but he possesses plenty of power, walks a lot (fueling his .401 on-base percentage), steals bases and can handle all three outfield spots. Those tools could make him a compelling fourth or fifth outfielder, someone a manager would want pinch hitting or pinch running when a late home run or stolen base is needed.

What are your splits looking like on diaper-change times? Do you think a change clock would help you speed up the process? In all seriousness, welcome back Zack! — Nathan D.

The difference between pitching and changing diapers is that when changing a diaper, you don’t get sticky stuff on your hands until after you start your motion.

Josh Naylor, Guardians head-butt way into AL Central race against Twins

Jun 29, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor (center) celebrates his game-winning two-run home run in the tenth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
By Zack Meisel and Dan Hayes
Jun 30, 2022

CLEVELAND — A Josh Naylor-fueled celebration resembles the mosh pit at a heavy metal concert.

You’re a little scared. Your heart rate soars. You’re at risk of an injury. The intensity of the surrounding chaos is enough to swallow you whole.

As Naylor neared first base, the decisive baseball disappearing onto the home run porch in left field, he flung his bat toward Lake Erie. After he rounded third, he launched his helmet into the air, nearly denting the moon.

He implored his teammates to take it easy with the home-plate huddle out of fear for his right leg, which was surgically repaired one year ago after a gruesome collision in a game against these same Twins. There’s nothing calm or relaxed about a Naylor bash, though.

As he strutted back toward the home dugout, he unleashed one of his patented diatribes, littered with language that requires so many clicks of the censor button that it sounds like a semitruck stuck in reverse.

Naylor tore off his jersey and then promptly head-butted his manager, who sported a helmet because he has learned his lesson about Naylor’s heroics-driven mayhem. To cap his theatrics, Naylor marched through an empty dugout, smacking himself in the head and flexing his arms and delivering primal shouts to no one in particular.


Guardians manager Terry Francona joked after the game that he needed to ice his neck. Naylor, sitting in the back of the press interview room during the manager’s session — by that point having morphed from a crazed fastball-crusher with enough energy to fuel a small village into a soft-spoken, introspective slugger — embraced his manager and apologized for the heat-of-the-moment noggin-knocking.

This probably won’t come as a surprise, given his emotion and fervor, but Naylor had no intention of settling for some game-tying bloop hit. It was walk-off homer or bust, bedlam or bummer.

“I just tried to hit a homer, to be honest,” Naylor said. “I was just trying to end the game. I didn’t want to hit a single. I wanted to end it. I just wanted to win.”

Naylor was sitting on a changeup throughout the at-bat, but Jharel Cotton kept throwing him fastballs. So Naylor adjusted.

It marked Cleveland’s first home run since Friday, snapping a power outage that lasted 58 innings. It rescued the club from yet another defeat during a brutal homestand and came against the team the Guardians are chasing in the division.

For the fourth time in the past nine days, the Guardiac Kids tormented the Twins bullpen. For as valuable as José Ramírez has been to Cleveland this season, Minnesota reliever Emilio Pagán might be even more pivotal to the Guardians’ fortunes. Per ESPN Stats & Info, Cleveland has three victories this season when trailing by three or more runs in the ninth; the league’s other 29 teams have combined for five such wins. For all their faults — and plenty have surfaced in the past week — the Guardians certainly aren’t daunted by a deficit.

A team staffer handed Naylor the baseball after the game, a keepsake to document his first career walk-off and the madness that followed. Naylor stared at it for a second and then stuffed it in his right shorts pocket, shrugging when asked if he wanted it detailed with fancy designs or information about the game.

“It’s just a baseball,” he said.

Well, that baseball inched Cleveland closer to first place in the American League Central and ignited an intense celebration that might have the manager and others reaching for aspirin in the morning.

For the fourth time in nine days, the Twins find themselves in the same position.

Shocked. Disappointed. Bewildered.

After Cleveland completed its stunning, four-run comeback Wednesday night, Pagán and Twins manager Rocco Baldelli once again had to answer questions about an outing in which the reliever didn’t get it done. Though Pagán didn’t get credited with the loss or even a blown save, his fingerprints once again were all over a gut-punch loss — the same as they were Tuesday, as well as last Tuesday and Wednesday.

No matter the final score Thursday, the Twins will head back to Minneapolis in first place in the division. But they’ll do so knowing they’ve missed multiple opportunities to create breathing room in the standings while also giving their closest competitor four double-espresso pick-me-ups.

“When you have one of them, it’s obviously frustrating,” Baldelli said. “When you have a few of them, you’ve really got to make sure you don’t get too inside your own head. You can get emotional, but not overly emotional or spastic or anything like that. We have a game just about every day coming up for a little while. We’re doing a lot right in these games. We’re putting ourselves in a really good spot. We’ve got to find a way to finish these games out.”

The Twins thought they were in a position to close it out Wednesday.

They’d come back from three runs down against Cal Quantrill and stuck around long enough to take a three-run lead in the top of the 10th on Carlos Correa’s pinch-hit, RBI single and Max Kepler’s two-run homer. But to get there, they had already exhausted the most effective part of their bullpen, as Caleb Thielbar and Griffin Jax each pitched a scoreless inning and Jhoan Duran completed two.


With Pagán, Cotton, Tyler Duffey and Tyler Thornburg remaining, Baldelli opted for Pagán, who blew a three-run lead last Wednesday.

Though his Fielding Independent Pitching has long suggested Pagán was due for a course correction this season, the reliever carried a 2.45 ERA through June 13. Just 16 days later, Pagán’s ERA has ballooned to 5.62.

After he recorded the first out of the 10th on a groundout, Pagán lost a seven-pitch battle to Steven Kwan, who walked. Three pitches later, Pagán left a split-fingered fastball up and Amed Rosario doubled into the left-field corner, which ended the pitcher’s night.

“(The walk) gives them life,” Pagán said. “I threw a lot of pitches in the zone that at-bat, and (Kwan) just didn’t put it in play. He’s a guy where as great as he is, I want him to put it in play because he doesn’t do a ton of damage. He can find holes and be a headache during the at-bat, but I’m trying to get him to put it in play, and foul ball, foul ball, foul ball, foul ball, close take. That’s the game.

“I’m pretty angry. Disappointed. Letting the team down — that’s probably about as simple as I can put it.”

Cotton was in disbelief.

He was happy to be trusted with the lead. He’d shaken off the Ryan Jeffers passed ball that allowed a run to score and the tying run to reach third base. He’d retired Ramírez on a broken-bat flyout.

And then Naylor muscled one out the opposite way and head-butted his way into the hearts of Cleveland fans everywhere.

“Honestly, I don’t even know how,” Cotton said. “First, I thought it was a fly ball to Nick Gordon, but it just kept going back and back. I don’t know how he kept it fair, to be honest.

“Just one pitch. One pitch messed up the entire game. … I’m still stoked (Baldelli) put me in that position. I feel like I could have succeeded in that role, but unfortunately, it didn’t happen. I’ve just got to get back at it (Thursday) and move forward.”

The Twins have proved capable of bouncing back many times this season. Thursday, they’ll have to do it once again.

Meisel: The Twins hold a two-game lead in the AL Central, though the Guardians have one fewer loss this season since Mother Nature wreaked havoc on the club’s April and May itinerary. Entering this season, contention was more of a hope and a prayer for Cleveland than any sort of certainty. And yet, thanks to an uninspiring division …

Hayes: There’s definitely some truth to that. The Central just isn’t very good. Even if the Twins win the series, they have to know they’ve let the Guardians hang around and breathed life into their division hopes.

Meisel: On Thursday afternoon, these teams will play the final game in this stretch of eight encounters in 10 days. The series has exceeded the hype. (Was there hype?)

Hayes: I’m not sure there should have been a lot of hype given how much of the season is left. The Twins have spent this entire stretch reminding everyone they’re not looking at the standings. A week ago these teams were tied, and the Twins are back in the lead again. Remember when Cleveland took three of four at Target Field in August 2019? The Twins said the same things then — there was too much schedule left to worry about one series. But the way they’ve lost these games — had they buttoned down all four, they could be sitting on a 10-game lead — certainly adds an element.

Meisel: Well, Naylor did say this: “We’re not really worried about anyone in first place, second place. We don’t really care, to be honest. We’re just gonna fight every day, we’re gonna play hard every day, no matter who we’re facing. Whether it’s the Twins, the Yankees next, Boston, we don’t really care. We want to play our game, play hard and hopefully celebrate after.”

Emphasis on the “celebrate” part.

Hayes: He definitely owns the postgame celebration. It feels like the on-field version of “Party at Napoli’s.” The one aspect the Twins are probably counting on to get them through is that this won’t be the makeup of their bullpen in a month. This is a team that went all in when it signed Correa, and addressing the bullpen is high on the Twins’ list. But it has to be concerning that they’ve potentially created a monster and given the Guardians life.

Cleveland Guardians’ All-Star candidates: Their cases and competition

Cleveland Guardians' Andres Gimenez celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a game-winning, two-run home run against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning of a baseball game Thursday, June 30, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
By Zack Meisel
2h ago
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CLEVELAND — The Guardians have four candidates for the American League All-Star roster.

Eli Morgan had compelling numbers for a bit, but he’s scuffled lately and there’s a bounty of deserving relievers. Amed Rosario completed a scorching June, but started far too slowly to earn serious consideration. Any team could use Josh Naylor’s intensity, but there’s plenty of competition at first base in the AL.

So, that leaves four legitimate candidates: two familiar faces on the All-Star circuit and two players seeking to crash the party for the first time.

Starters will be announced July 8. The full rosters will be revealed July 10.

The no-brainer
José Ramírez: He’s a lock to make the team for the fourth time in his career. The only question is whether he’ll start at third base or relieve Boston’s Rafael Devers. Ramírez overtook Devers in the recent balloting and is ahead by about 100,000 votes. They advanced to the second stage of fan voting, so it’s merely a matter of determining who will start and who will find their way onto the roster via another method.

Ramírez and Devers lead all third basemen in just about every category, including batting average, home runs and WAR. Ramírez hasn’t slugged a home run since June 10 — a bothersome right thumb might have something to do with that, although he’ll never suggest that the injury is plaguing him at the plate — but he’s still entrenched in the crowded (and early) AL MVP race. Ramírez has a chance to join Sandy Alomar Jr. and Kenny Lofton as the only players in franchise history to be elected to the team by the fans on three occasions.

Stats: .296/.381/.596 slash line, 16 home runs, 63 RBIs, 12 stolen bases, 36 walks and 25 strikeouts

Primary competition: Just Devers. There’s a wide gap between those two and Alex Bregman and Eugenio Suárez.

What more can he do?

Guardians players surround Andrés Giménez after he sent the Twins packing. (Ken Blaze / USA Today)
Andrés Giménez: If we display his numbers and hide his name, voters wouldn’t hesitate to dub him an All-Star. There’s not much more Giménez can do to build a convincing case. But have his peers taken notice? Before he reached the home-plate gathering after his walk-off homer Thursday, Giménez tilted his head and raised his hands to his cheek to act out a sleeping motion. Is the league sleeping on him?

Per FanGraphs’ WAR metric, Giménez has been the 20th-best position player in MLB this season. Well, tied for 20th … with Francisco Lindor, the guy he was traded for 18 months ago.

Jose Altuve seems bound to win the fan vote and start (in Los Angeles, where the fans will surely treat him cordially). Luis Arraez, the AL leader in batting average, is classified on the ballot as a first baseman, but has split time between first and second this season.

Giménez leads Altuve, Arraez and all other AL second basemen in fWAR. His average is second to Arraez. His wRC+ is third (at 144, which means he’s been 44 percent more productive than the league-average hitter). He’s also been fantastic defensively, not that voters typically give much consideration to one’s glove when electing players to participate in the summer exhibition. Giménez’s 10 defensive runs saved rank fourth among all AL fielders.

There should be room on the roster for all three, especially since Arraez can bounce around defensively and Giménez can play shortstop. One potential hang-up: Toronto fans nudged Santiago Espinal into the final stage of the voting to determine the starting second baseman. If he beats out Altuve, that could make Giménez’s path to a spot a bit more uncertain.

Stats: .308/.355/.502 slash line, 2.5 fWAR, 144 wRC+, nine home runs, 37 RBIs, six stolen bases

Primary competition: It’s really just Altuve and Arraez. You’d have to reach to make a case for Gleyber Torres, DJ LeMahieu or Trevor Story.

A national audience needs to see his 102 mph cutter
Emmanuel Clase: It’s risky to script any reliever’s name in Sharpie because there’s always that random seventh-inning guy with the 3.70 ERA for a last-place team who receives a spot because every team needs to be represented. And that guy could bump another reliever from the mix.

That said, Clase is among the most deserving AL relievers, ranking second in fWAR, sixth in ERA, second in FIP, first in walks per nine innings and first in saves. He hasn’t allowed a run in his last 19 appearances, and he has issued only four walks in 33 1/3 innings this season.

Who wouldn’t want to see him fling his 102 mph cutter and 93 mph slider toward the National League’s premier hitters?

Stats: 1.35 ERA, 1.72 FIP, 18 saves, four walks, 35 strikeouts

Primary competition: Clay Holmes (NYY), Jorge López (BAL), John Schreiber (BOS), Brock Burke (TEX), Jhoan Duran (MIN), Ryne Stanek (HOU), Michael King (NYY), Michael Fulmer (DET)

Ho-hum, another year, another solid case
Shane Bieber: Perhaps surprisingly, given his well-documented velocity drop, Bieber’s numbers are right in line with where they were in 2019 and 2021, both seasons in which he claimed a spot on the AL All-Star team. There’s no shortage of worthy starting pitchers in the AL this year, but maybe Bieber’s track record will carry some weight with those who assemble the roster. Bieber was a late addition to the AL unit in 2019 and then captured the game’s MVP honor in front of his home crowd at Progressive Field after a perfect inning in which he struck out Ronald Acuña Jr., Willson Contreras and Ketel Marte.

Stats: 3.16 ERA, 2.84 FIP, 91 innings, 22 walks, 93 strikeouts, 2.3 fWAR

Primary competition: Shane McClanahan (TB), Martín Pérez (TEX), Alek Manoah (TOR), Kevin Gausman (TOR), Frankie Montas (OAK), Justin Verlander (HOU), Logan Gilbert (SEA), Nestor Cortes (NYY), Gerrit Cole (NYY), Sonny Gray (MIN)

Cleveland’s All-Stars, 2010-21

2021: Shane Bieber, José Ramírez
2020: (no game)
2019: Shane Bieber, Francisco Lindor, Brad Hand, Carlos Santana
2018: Trevor Bauer, Michael Brantley, Yan Gomes, Corey Kluber, Francisco Lindor, José Ramírez
2017: Michael Brantley, Corey Kluber, Francisco Lindor, Andrew Miller, José Ramírez
2016: Corey Kluber, Francisco Lindor, Danny Salazar
2015: Jason Kipnis
2014: Michael Brantley
2013: Jason Kipnis, Justin Masterson
2012: Asdrúbal Cabrera, Chris Perez
2011: Asdrúbal Cabrera, Chris Perez
2010: Roberto Hernandez

The Pirates have designated infielder Yu Chang for assignment and reinstated fellow infielder Tucupita Marcano from the Covid-related injured list. Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic first pointed out that Marcano was in the clubhouse and that Chang, who is out of minor league options, was collecting his things and likely to be the corresponding roster casualty.

Chang has spent about a month in the Steel City, having been acquired from the Guardians at the end of May. He appeared in 18 games but managed only a .167/.286/.262 line, striking out in 18 of his 49 trips to the plate. That was enough for the Bucs to move on fairly quickly, as manager Derek Shelton has turned to Hoy Park and Josh VanMeter on the right side of the infield over the past few days. Chang is capable of covering all four spots on the dirt, but the Bucs’ left side is spoken for by Oneil Cruz and Ke’Bryan Hayes.

The 26-year-old Chang was regarded by evaluators as a solid prospect for much of his time climbing the Cleveland farm system. He reached the big leagues in 2019 and has seen sporadic MLB action in each of the past four seasons. He’s posted a meager .204/.268/.359 slash in just more than 400 career plate appearances, striking out at an alarming 29.5% rate in the process. He has rarely had much opportunity for everyday at-bats, however, and he owns a more serviceable .258/.332/.427 mark over parts of four Triple-A seasons.

Meisel’s Musings: Guardians-Yankees, Triston McKenzie, Franmil Reyes, Larry Doby



Cleveland Guardians' catcher Sandy Leon congratulates Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase for preserving a win over the New York Yankees at the end of the ninth inning of a baseball game in Cleveland, Sunday, July 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
By Zack Meisel
Jul 3, 2022
27

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CLEVELAND — Three outs against a first-place locomotive steamrolling its way to October stood between the Guardians and a sufficient cap to a roller-coaster homestand. Emmanuel Clase, perhaps the league’s most reliable closer, can record those final three outs with little more than muscle memory at this point.

But then Owen Miller dropped a throw at first base on what should have been a routine groundout. The gaffe created a traffic jam on the bases and sparked a palpable sense of anxiety from those in the Progressive Field stands who were trying to outdo the boisterous, pinstriped invaders from the Northeast. And from certain members of the dugout, too.

“I almost started crying,” manager Terry Francona said.

Sunday’s ninth inning, with Cleveland clinging to a 2-0 lead and aiming to dodge a gut punch from the ever-jabbing Yankees, offered its share of moments that can trigger rushes of adrenaline, bouts of agony and everything in between. That’s the drama the Guardians want more of, the sort of pressure-packed situation, in front of a raucous crowd, with which they hope to become familiar.

With one out, Aaron Judge, who leads the Milky Way in home runs, stepped out of the visitors dugout and onto the on-deck circle.

“He looked like he was swinging four bats,” Francona said.

Clase welcomed the heavyweight encounter. He ultimately walked Judge after slinging a 3-2 slider in the dirt.

He’s a great hitter,” Clase said, “but I feel like I’m a good pitcher, too. So that’s my mindset, and it’s let’s just compete. Let’s see what happens.”

Clase made quick work of Aaron Hicks for the final out, the Guardians avoided the series sweep and completed what likely will be the most grueling segment of their schedule this season.

“It’s hard to explain,” said Francona, motioning to demonstrate how his stomach was lodged in his throat in the ninth inning. “But you kind of live for it. I can’t get that anywhere else. It’s impossible to explain. Like, I wouldn’t change it for the world, but I’m not sure I even like it.”


Triston McKenzie allowed one hit in seven scoreless innings. (Ken Blaze / USA Today)
1. A driving force in Triston McKenzie’s reversal of fortunes last summer was the simple act of throwing with conviction and pitching like a confident big leaguer. In recent starts, McKenzie had surrendered home runs by the bushel. The Yankees have clobbered 11 more home runs than any other team. This appeared, on paper, to be a recipe for disaster for the Guardians.

But McKenzie leaned on that helpful mindset as he sat in the corner of the clubhouse Sunday morning and sketched out a game plan with pitching coach Carl Willis and catcher Sandy León.

The aim? “Make them feel my presence,” McKenzie said, “in terms of just establishing my dominance on the mound, per se, so they didn’t get comfortable and have those big swings.”

McKenzie mixed his pitches more, and to great effect. He struck out Josh Donaldson in the sixth inning on the fourth curveball of the at-bat — but he didn’t show Donaldson the curveball in either of his first two trips to the plate.

In all, New York sluggers swung at eight of McKenzie’s curveballs; they swung-and-missed on five of those attempts.

McKenzie’s pitch mix before Sunday
Fastball: 60 percent
Slider: 19 percent
Curveball: 21 percent

McKenzie’s pitch mix Sunday
Fastball: 52 percent
Slider: 28 percent
Curveball: 20 percent

The increased usage of secondary stuff was a theme for Cleveland pitchers all afternoon. Eli Morgan threw only six fastballs in his 15 pitches in the eighth inning. Seventeen of Clase’s 23 pitches were sliders. (They averaged 92.0 mph, just shy of the average fastball thrown by McKenzie and Morgan, which each clocked in at 92.6 mph.)

2. Could Clase crack the American League All-Star roster?

“That’s one of the goals of mine,” he said. “I’ll be really excited if that happens and becomes a reality.”

He’s registered 20 consecutive scoreless innings. In that span, he has limited opponents to 10 hits and three walks. He leads the AL with 19 saves. His ERA sits at 1.31, and he has more than six times as many strikeouts as walks. Before his two walks Sunday, Clase and Eli Morgan led the AL in K/BB ratio.

Five Cleveland relievers have made the All-Star team in the last 30 years:

Brad Hand: 2019
Andrew Miller: 2017
Chris Perez: 2011, 2012
Bob Wickman: 2005
Jose Mesa: 1995, 1996

3. For Cleveland’s offense to function, Franmil Reyes can’t be sporting a .611 OPS. For Cleveland’s offense to function on a day in which José Ramírez lounged on the bench, Reyes must deliver.

He did that, supplying both Guardians runs, one on a home run he yanked into the bleachers, the other on a sharp, opposite-field grounder. He treasured the latter hit, noting that when he’s going well at the plate, he’s using that side of the diamond.

“I needed that,” Reyes said. “The boys needed that.

“It’s very frustrating, honestly, but I have a lot of important people in my life who are always keeping my head up. … I know the type of player I am, and this is going to be done one day. … I’m working very hard. I’m not going to give up. Never.”


Franmil Reyes circles the bases after homering in the fourth inning. (Ken Blaze / USA Today)
4. The Guardians claimed outfielder Oscar Mercado, human boomerang, from the Phillies, who had claimed him from the Guardians. Think of it as though your cat escaped out the back door, went missing for 12 days, got in a tussle with a raccoon and then wound up back on your front porch.

The Guardians designated Mercado for assignment on June 21. The Phillies claimed him six days later. He totaled one plate appearance with Philadelphia — a strikeout — on June 30. The Phillies designated him for assignment the next day. Cleveland claimed him Sunday. He’ll join the team in Detroit in time for the doubleheader Monday.

Maybe Mercado will be a better solution to the club’s corner outfield woes against left-handed pitching than Ernie Clement has been. (Mercado’s .482 OPS against lefties this season might suggest otherwise.) Really, though, there are at least a couple of outfielders at Triple-A Columbus who seem ready for a major-league audition. Nolan Jones and Will Brennan are both 24 and haunting the dreams of International League pitchers.

5. The Guardians wore a patch Saturday night commemorating the 75th anniversary of Larry Doby breaking the color barrier in the AL. They’ll wear it again Tuesday, the actual anniversary. About 10 players who wore custom-made Doby cleats — designed by local artist Jonathan Hrusovsky — will don them again Tuesday at Comerica Park. The cleats include a drawing of Doby’s face, a silhouette of his batting stance, his No. 14, a list of his on-field accolades, baseball seams and a series of the C logos from 1947.

Over the years, the team has requested to wear No. 14, the way the entire league wears No. 42 on Jackie Robinson Day every April 15. Cleveland received league approval to do so in 2007, the 60th anniversary of Doby’s debut with the team.

Larry Doby Jr. tossed out a ceremonial first pitch Saturday night. A day earlier, the team unveiled a mural outside the left-field gates that features Doby, Satchel Paige and Frank Robinson.

Maybe Mercado will be a better solution to the club’s corner outfield woes against left-handed pitching than Ernie Clement has been.

DUH X 1000 !!!!

We like Ernie as a backup infielder but (especially in a lineup like ours) he can't be playing corner outfield.

Cleveland Guardians: It could soon be time to promote Nolan Jones
by Steve DiMatteo23 hours ago Follow @steve_dimatteo

With the Cleveland Guardians dealing with injuries and struggling infielders, is it time for them to call up a former top prospect?

At one point this season, it seemed impossible to find a major-league roster spot for Cleveland Guardians prospect Nolan Jones.

But with the Guardians experiencing a rash of injuries and a few key players struggling at the major-league level, now would be the perfect time for Cleveland to promote Jones and potentially inject an offensive spark while seeing what the team has in its former top prospect.

Jones, 24, has gotten off to a sizzling start in 2022, his Triple-A season starting late due to his recovery from surgery on his left ankle. In his first 104 plate appearances with the Clippers, Jones is slashing .314/.423/.512 with three home runs, six doubles, 25 RBIs and four stolen bases.

Though it’s a fairly small sample size this season, it appears there isn’t much left for Jones to prove at the minor-league level.


Where Does Nolan Jones Fit With the Cleveland Guardians?
As the Guardians deal with injuries and struggling players at key positions, it’s not hard to see how Jones could give the team a lift. Josh Naylor, the team’s first baseman on most days, is currently dealing with back spasms and is of course still working himself back from his own gruesome injury from last season.

But more plausibly for Jones, the struggles of guys like Owen Miller and Ernie Clement present an interesting opportunity. As the utility man, Clement has certainly struggled offensively, hitting just .186 in 124 plate appearances, with no home runs and just five RBIs. Miller, on the other hand, got off to a scorching start to the season, but is hitting just .186 since June 1 and has seen his wRC+ drop to an 86 for the year.

The potentially easy solution here would be to designate Clement for assignment and allow Miller to be more of that utility player, considering his ability to play first base, second, and even third base. It’s become clear that Clement just doesn’t have much, if any, of a long-term future with the team, and Miller has displayed more than enough offensive prowess to suggest he could work his way out of his slump and once again be a productive member of the lineup.

Jones most often plays third base (which is occupied by a certain player named José Ramírez, who could potentially be more hampered by a sore thumb than he might be letting on), but has also begun playing in the outfield while dabbling at first base. Clearly, the organization is trying to find a way to make him fit on the roster.

Speaking of making him fit, Jones is already on the 40-man roster, so bringing him up won’t require the logistical nightmare calling up a prospect sometimes entails.

What About Tyler Freeman?
Freeman, 23 and also on the 40-man roster, is another top prospect knocking on the door to the majors. He’s put together his own solid start to the season following recovery from a surgery (for Freeman, it was his left shoulder), hitting .262/.359/.349 with four home runs, seven doubles and 34 RBIs. Freeman doesn’t have much power to speak of at all, which gives Jones a potential leg up in the power-depleted Guardians lineup.

Cleveland is likely trying to move both players along slowly because of their recoveries, but the time may soon be coming to make a decision on how best to improve the major-league lineup as the Guardians stay in contention. Of course, the trade deadline is looming as well, and both Jones and Freeman could certainly be potential trade chips.

But if the Guardians had to improve the major-league team right this second and provide a potential boost to the lineup, Jones should be the choice. He was at one point the organization’s top prospect, and he still has the skills that could remind everyone why that was the case.

I did the bold highlighting there indicating I agreed.

Ditto

Trey Mancini would be perfect trade deadline target for Cleveland Guardians
by Steve DiMatteo16 hours ago Follow @steve_dimatteo

The Cleveland Guardians figure to be active no matter what at the trade deadline, and Orioles first baseman/outfielder Trey Mancini remains an ideal target.

We’ve talked about Baltimore Orioles first baseman/outfielder/designated hitter Trey Mancini as a potential Guardians trade target in these parts before, but as the trade deadline begins to loom closer, it’s a proposition worth revisiting.

The 30-year-old is having another solid season with the Orioles, slashing .281/.357/.428 with eight home runs, 15 doubles, 32 RBIs and a 125 wRC+. The power is down this year, but that’s only because he desperately needs to be rescued from that new left field setup in Baltimore.

Mancini fits particularly well with the Guardians in that he can play both first base and the outfield, giving Cleveland the roster flexibility it so often covets. With Josh Naylor now dealing with some back spasms and the outfield remaining an area of concern, Mancini can slide right in.

He does have a $10 million mutual option for 2023, which may give the Guardians slight pause. But at the same time, that would essentially be an affordable one-year deal for a solid veteran who will continue to help bridge the gap until other prospects are able to make it to Cleveland and establish themselves, which includes names such as Nolan Jones, Jhonkensy Noel, and George Valera.


The Guardians have more holes in their pitching staff than they have in recent seasons, but this recent stretch of injuries and collective struggles at the plate make it painfully clear Cleveland isn’t out of the woods yet when it comes to the offense, either.

Mancini would serve as the perfect veteran complement to an incredibly young roster, bridging the gap between trying to contend now and paving the way for a future core of exciting prospects. He doesn’t come all that cheap financially, but given his age and where the Orioles are at in their own timeline, the Guardians likely wouldn’t have to part with any top prospects to make a deal happen.

Guardians fans can continue to hold out hope for a long-shot deal to happen – like one for Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds – but Trey Mancini is the exact type of bat the team needs, especially as more young names will get called up over the course of the summer and the Guardians try to stay in the playoff race.

It's hard to say about Clement and Miller. Ernie is never going to be much of a hitter but he's pretty solid defender at 2nd 3rd and ok at SS; I can' t recall if he's played any first base but with 26 man rosters there could be room for him; I'm thinking of the BlueJays and Brad Zimmer whose role is just defensive replacement in the 8th or 9th and pinch running. For mop-up reliever Sandy Leon has Ernie beat.

Miller is a defensive liability. He seems capable of screwing up some of the most routine plays. He's a super star of the sac fly and sometimes looks like a good hitter but he's been pretty weak for the past month or more: 208/236/258 OPS over his last 30 games which is even worse than his indifferent 2021: 204/243/309

I think the long-term answer is Neither of the Above. Arias, Freeman both hit right handed; Rocchio is a switch hitter. At least one of those and probably all have brighter outlooks than Owen or Enrie.

Rookie of the Year Watch; Kwan will not win but his improvement of late has been noted:

rated No. 4 or 5: Steven Kwan, OF, Guardians;
Kwan’s .362 on-base percentage leads all AL rookies and his .274 batting average is second behind only Rodriguez. After a record-breaking start followed by a miserable slump, he’s rediscovered his form and is batting .307 since May 30.