KANSAS CITY -- Having enjoyed their time in Spring Training, the Guardians are eager for the regular season to get underway.
¡°The fun part for us is we get to see all the work that¡¯s happened behind the scenes and the preparation that¡¯s gone on for the last two months to get us to this point,¡± team president Chris Antonetti said.
¡°But I think we¡¯re all ready to get going and start playing some meaningful games in Kansas City.¡±
After a thrilling run to the ALCS last fall, the Guardians begin their 2025 journey on Thursday against the Royals. Right-hander Tanner Bibee (who¡¯s fresh off signing a five-year extension with Cleveland) will take the ball for his first Opening Day start.
Cleveland and Kansas City figure to be among four teams (along with the Twins and Tigers) in the mix for the AL Central title this season, which should make for an exciting summer. Here is a look at Cleveland¡¯s season ahead.
What Needs to Go Right? The starting pitching behind Bibee
Bibee emerged as an anchor atop the rotation last season after Shane Bieber underwent Tommy John surgery in April, and Ben Lively was one of Cleveland¡¯s most consistent starters. But the rotation recorded a 4.40 ERA overall (tied for 23rd in the Majors) and tossed 805 innings (24th) while dealing with injuries and inconsistency. Good health and a steady workload from the starting staff will be paramount, certainly before Bieber and John Means (who¡¯s also recovering from Tommy John surgery) work their way back as summertime reinforcements.
Great Unknown -- How does second base shake out?
Second base was a key competition for the Guardians throughout Spring Training, and the picture grew clearer after Tyler Freeman was traded to the Rockies on Saturday. Gabriel Arias and Daniel Schneemann will get the bulk of reps at second to start the season, and with their versatility, Cleveland has an ability to get both in the lineup. Juan Brito (the Guardians¡¯ No. 10 prospect, per MLB Pipeline) figures to make his MLB debut at some point this season, after he was in the mix for the starting job this spring. Will someone emerge as the everyday guy?
Team MVP Will Be ¡ Jos¨¦ Ram¨ªrez
Of course. Ram¨ªrez is a perennial AL MVP candidate who is coming off one of his finest seasons in the Majors -- when he earned his sixth All-Star nod, fifth Silver Slugger Award and finished fifth in league MVP voting. The Guardians will again count on him to be a driving force and a catalyst in their lineup this year, and that order could take on a different look. Ram¨ªrez hit second for much of Spring Training, rather than in his usual No. 3 spot, as Cleveland looks to get him as many opportunities to deliver at the plate as possible.
Team Cy Young Will Be ... Tanner Bibee
With all due respect to closer Emmanuel Clase (who finished third in AL Cy Young voting last year), we¡¯re going with Bibee. His status as an organizational cornerstone was further solidified after he signed a five-year contract extension on Saturday. The 26-year-old was the Guardians¡¯ most reliable starter last year, when he led the team in starts (31) and innings (173 2/3) while recording a 3.47 ERA. Bibee¡¯s consistent production was crucial after Bieber underwent Tommy John surgery, and he will again be counted on as a frontline starter this season. Keep an eye on Gavin Williams, too, who had a dominant spring after a tough 2024 campaign.
Bold Prediction ¡ Kyle Manzardo will lead the Guardians in home runs
Last postseason, Manzardo was hitting second in the Guardians¡¯ starting lineup. It spoke to the massive turnaround he experienced last season. He struggled in his first stint in the Majors (.571 OPS in 30 games), was optioned and thrived in his second stint after being recalled in September (.873 OPS in 23 games).
Manzardo adjusted to the rhythms of a DH role and grew more comfortable in it over the course of last season. He¡¯ll split his time there and at first this season with Carlos Santana. If his Cactus League performance (.321/.357/.642, four homers) proves to be an appetizer to the regular season, it will mean big things for him and Cleveland.