The Guardians kick off the season Thursday night in Oakland, but it feels more like an extended spring training to me.
While they're obviously aiming to win games, the early matches hold extra weight for Stephen Vogt, the new manager. Vogt is a bit of a wild card, not necessarily a bad choice, but also not a guaranteed home run. He's just a year removed from playing, and his confidence during spring training is noticeable. It's understandable why the Guardians were drawn to his personality.
However, Vogt faces a tough task ahead. Managing a team comes with immense pressure, especially for a rookie manager succeeding Terry Francona. Francona, though beloved by most Guardians fans, might not be fully appreciated until a few years down the line. His track record in Cleveland speaks volumes, with nine winning records and six playoff trips in his 11 seasons.
Despite this, the last three years have seen two losing seasons (80–82 in 2021 and 76-86 in 2023) sandwiching a remarkable 92-70 record in 2022, indicating a concerning trend. The Guardians are likely to maintain the youngest roster in the Majors for the third consecutive year, coupled with a low payroll. The front office has been smart in the past, often compensating for these shortcomings.
However, in 2023, the front office didn't fare as well, with signings like Mike Zunino and Josh Bell failing to make an impact. The trades of Nolan Jones and Will Benson also stung, at least in the short term. Despite this, I remain optimistic about the Jones trade, as it could pay off when Juan Brito, my favorite prospect, eventually makes it to the majors – possibly even later this year.
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