CLEVELAND, Ohio - Guardians fans have questions, and we've got the answers. Let's dive into the latest from the world of Cleveland baseball.
First up, Ike Langendorfer from Plymouth, N.H., has been a die-hard Cleveland fan since 1954 and is feeling a bit down about the team's chances this season. But let's not lose hope just yet, Ike.
After a recent 3-1 loss to Seattle, the Guardians are sitting at 42-40, just a game behind the first-place Chicago. Compare that to last year when they were trailing Detroit by 11 1/2 games at the same point in the season.
There's still plenty of baseball left to play, so hang in there.
Next, Skip from Broadview Heights is curious about the catching situation. With Patrick Bailey's arrival from the Giants, David Fry hasn't seen much action behind the plate.
Skip suggests platooning Fry with Daniel Schneemann at third while Jose Ramirez is out. Manager Stephen Vogt seems to prefer a Schneemann and Gabriel Arias combo at third.
Arias hasn't started there since a rough game against the White Sox, so we'll see what Vogt decides moving forward.
Stephanie Reeve Boles wants to know about the "opener" strategy used by the White Sox against the Guardians. This tactic, popularized by Tampa Bay's Kevin Cash, involves using a reliever to start the game for an inning or two before bringing in a long reliever. It's a strategy for teams without a full set of reliable starters and has become a useful tool in modern baseball.
Jerry Salvucci from Hudson asks about Tyler Naquin's attempt to return to the Guardians as a pitcher. Naquin, originally drafted as an outfielder, tried his hand at pitching last season.
He made it to Cleveland's High-A team but wasn't re-signed and is currently a free agent. His stint included a 3-0 record with a 6.16 ERA, striking out 20 in 30 2/3 innings.
Dennis Flynn brings a bit of humor to the table, wondering if his grandmother, who bats left-handed, would be pinch-hit for by his right-handed grandfather. A light-hearted reminder that there's always room for a little fun in baseball.
Wayne Schmigel poses a philosophical question about whether a pitcher can throw a changeup as the first pitch of the game. While it's a bit of a head-scratcher, the answer is yes-a changeup can be thrown anytime, even if it's not technically changing anything yet.
Andy Mees from Sandusky inquires about the Guardians' catcher situation with Cooper Ingle's call-up. Vogt has indicated that Ingle will mostly play left field and serve as a DH, leaving Bailey and Austin Hedges to handle the majority of the catching duties, with Fry continuing in a utility role.
Morrie Birnbaum wonders if the AL Central race will stay tight all season. The upcoming four-game series between the Guardians and the White Sox could be telling. The White Sox are showing signs of life, especially after a 22-1 blowout against the Royals, so stay tuned.
Neil H. from Yeagertown, Pa., is curious about the Guardians' trade deadline plans. Whether they become buyers or sellers will depend on their standings and the front office's belief in the team's ability to contend. It's a decision that's still up in the air.
Finally, Bobby from Albuquerque, N.M., has been a long-time supporter of Gabriel Arias but is concerned about his performance. Arias has had a challenging season, battling injuries and losing his shortstop role.
With Jose Ramirez's injury opening up third base, Arias has yet to seize the opportunity. He's out of options, making his future with the team uncertain.
That's the latest from the Guardians' mailbag. Keep those questions coming, and let's see how the rest of the season unfolds!
In Other News...
Former Guardians Coach Suddenly Looms Large In Mets Chaos
Kai Correas move from Cleveland to Queens was supposed to give the Mets a fresh voice in the dugout, and the former Guardians coach quickly found himself in a prominent spot under Carlos Mendoza. Instead, a rough start to the season has pushed the organization into another reset, with the focus now on how the club sorts through its next move after Mendozas dismissal. Correas background makes him part of the conversation, especially for a team trying to stabilize both its daily operations and its long-term direction.
The bigger issue for the Mets is that the problems have not been limited to the standings. Their defensive slippage has been a recurring headache, and the organizational picture has only grown messier as pressure builds around the staff and the roster. Correas lack of big league managerial experience has been one of the questions hanging over him, and in a season already defined by second-guessing, it is the kind of detail that keeps his name in the middle of the discussion even as the next decision takes shape. [Read more 🡒]
Austin Hedges Had A Heated Message For Josh Naylor In Reunion
A tense reunion between Austin Hedges and Josh Naylor added another layer to a close Cleveland win over Seattle, with the two former Guardians teammates exchanging words after a pitch sequence that quickly turned testy. The game itself still mattered most, and Cleveland came away with a 6-5 victory behind contributions from Gavin Williams, Matt Festa and Cade Smith as the club climbed to 44-40.
Hedges and Naylor were at the center of the flashpoint, which grew out of a strange plate appearance and an interpretation that left both sides with plenty to say. Naylor kept the interaction going through the end of the inning, underscoring how little had changed between the two, and Cleveland now turns its attention to a next series against the Texas Rangers with the memory of that scene still fresh. [Read more 🡒]
How Are The Guardians Still Holding Off Trouble In The Central
Clevelands grip on the AL Central has held even through a rough stretch of injuries that could have knocked a less balanced club off course. Instead, the Guardians have kept answering with the kind of depth and flexibility that has become a hallmark of the roster, as younger players have been asked to do more and the pitching staff has continued to steady the team from behind the scenes.
The front offices decision to build around a broad base of contributors rather than lean on one or two stars has suddenly looked even more important. Cleveland has found a way to keep the lineup moving and the rotation settled, but the larger question is how long that kind of margin can last if the injuries keep piling up and the division race stays this tight. [Read more 🡒]