Factory Of Sadness
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Opening Day preview guide for the Cleveland Guardians’ 2023 season

By Chad Porto

GOODYEAR, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 23: Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians poses for a photo during media day at Goodyear Ballpark on February 23, 2023 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
GOODYEAR, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 23: Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians poses for a photo during media day at Goodyear Ballpark on February 23, 2023 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 24: Manager Terry Francona of the Cleveland Indians looks on during Media Day workouts for the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on October 24, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 24: Manager Terry Francona of the Cleveland Indians looks on during Media Day workouts for the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on October 24, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Coaching

It’s hard to deny that the Cleveland Guardians have a great crop of coaches. There’s obviously the man at the head of the table is Terry Francona, one of the greatest managers in baseball history. The work he’s done in Cleveland is nothing short of a master class and while it hasn’t delivered a World Series yet, the partnership has seen championship success. They’ve won four AL Central Division titles under Francona and one American League Pennennts.

Francona may be the best to ever do it, and certainly is the best manager the Guardians have ever had. While he technically was the manager for the 2021 squad, he missed a lot of time due to health issues, so realistically it’s fair to say he’s never had a losing season in Cleveland.

Carl Willis is the most important coach the team has. He’s a Cy Young maker, and has done incredible work with all sorts of pitchers; from nobodies from the minors (Corey Kluber), to pros who need a second chance (Kevin Millwood) to the top pitchers the team has ever seen as prospects (C.C. Sabathia, Cliff Lee). The team’s pitching is in good hands with Willis.

The team has two solid stand-ins at the manager as well with first base coach Sandy Alomar, and bench coach DeMarlo Hale.

The coaching is where this team has next to no doubts. The only lingering question that keeps this from being perfect is if Chris Valaika, the team’s hitting coach, can’t help get this team over the hump that it had at times last year.

Grade: A

dark. Next. Which Cleveland Guardians players are ready to break out?

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