Factory Of Sadness
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3 big questions surrounding the Cleveland Guardians heading into Spring Training

By Chad Porto

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 28: Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians looks on during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on August 28, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 28: Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians looks on during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on August 28, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 18: Myles Straw #7 of the Cleveland Guardians walks back to the dugout after getting out against the New York Yankees during the third inning in game five of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 18, 2022 in New York, New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 18: Myles Straw #7 of the Cleveland Guardians walks back to the dugout after getting out against the New York Yankees during the third inning in game five of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 18, 2022 in New York, New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Can the Guardians’ offense be improved?

The Cleveland Guardiasn offense was fine last year. They were 17th in RBIs, 29th in home runs, 11 in doubles, 7th in batting average, 12th in on-base percentage, 21st in slugging, 16th in OPS, 1st in fewest strikeouts (by a lot), and 3rd in stolen bases. So clearly some areas to improve upon, but also a team that did a lot of things well.

The thing that really strikes me as interesting is that the team didn’t sacrifice anyone who made the team much better. So the guys who hit the ball consistently got on base and didn’t strike out, they’re all coming back.

The club won’t be first in fewest strikeouts, at least in theory, as the additions of Mike Zunino and Josh Bell should see the club, at least, have 200 strikeouts more than the season before. That would still put the Guardians in the Top 10 of the fewest strikeouts, which is still great.

Not only that but should both Zunino and Bell return to 20-30 home runs each, that’ll put the Guardians in the Top 15 in home runs. Coupled with a full season of Oscar Gonzalez, a developing Josh Naylor, and a healthy Jose Ramirez, it’s very likely this club gets itself into the Top 10 for home runs by a club.

To question if the 2023 club could be dramatically better than 2022 isn’t unfair. It’s very possible that the club is dramatically better.

dark. Next. 5 Predictions for the Cleveland Guardians in 2023

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