Cleveland Guardians tease better be for on-field cap

The Cleveland Guardians are teasing a new hat, and chances are, the team is going to make available for sale the New Era on-field model.

The Guardians rolled out their new logo on some swag ahead of the holidays, but noticeably absent, were jerseys and on-field hats. Fanatics is selling the 9FIFTY snapback with the newly designed “C” logo, but nothing fitted.

Unsurprisingly, the “Fastball G” logo was a hot seller at the team shop when the merch immediately became available. No market research done here, just the assumption that the masses want something than another “C” hat to throw on the pile.

When the Guards make their announcement, look for the 59Fifty on-field fitted hat to be available for sale. I’d expect a “C” model, in addition to the “Flying G.”

Now, whether or not we’ll be able to wear all of this stuff to the regularly scheduled Opening Day-I’m not feeling confident the owners and the players will come to an agreement.

Remember, pitchers and catchers are supposed to report two days after the super Bowl. Seems like we’ve all got a better shot of winning the Keno jackpot than this actually happening.

Other Cleveland Guardians notes:

1. While MLB killed the fun of transaction season, one writer made the case for a trade: Acquiring left-handed outfielder Lars Nootbaar.

He’s a .240 hitter who’s better defensively, than with the stick right now. Seems right up the G-Men’s alley!

Writer Bernie Pleskoff still believes Nootbaar’s bat posses great potential, though.

2. There’s an update on the health of manager Terry Francona. Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes wrote he checked in with Tito, and the skipper said his recovery from surgery on his leg big toe, needed because of a staph infection, has been a “slow process.”

Remember, Francona was chasing down Lou Boudreau to become the franchise’s all-time winningest manager. When he stepped away in August, Francona hat 723 wins, six shy of eclipsing Boudreau’s 728.

If Francona returns to mange Opening Day, he’ll have the record. The way the stats work, teams wins under acting manager DeMarlo Hale, would count toward Francona’s record. That would give him 753.  If he doesn’t come back, that number goes back to 723.