Guardians Add to Depth by Signing Four

The Cleveland Guardians Wednesday continued to do what they do well — adding to their depth by signing four experienced players to minor-league contracts with invitations to the Major League Training Camp. Right-handers Touki Toussaint and Michael Kelly, catcher Cam Gallagher, and outfielder Roman Quinn were added. On December 21, Cleveland signed right-hander Caleb Simpson and lefty Caleb Baragar to similar deals. All most likely are ticketed for Triple-A Columbus, but provide Cleveland manager Terry Francona with experienced options should unforeseen injuries crop up during spring camp, which opens in February in Goodyear, AZ. The Guardians’ first spring game is scheduled for February 25 against the Cincinnati Reds.

Toussaint, 26, has the most potential upside of the newcomers. A first-round pick in 2014 by the Arizona Diamondbacks out of high school, he was dealt to the Atlanta Braves a year later and spent eight years in the Braves system. He split 2022 between Atlanta and the Los Angeles Angels. Dany Gilbert Kiti Toussaint (his given name) gets plenty of strikeouts (933 in 864 pro innings) with an exceptional curveball, but often has command issues with the pitch when he tries to break it off too sharply. While allowing only 744 hits, he has walked an unsavory 458 as a pro.

In 57 games in the majors, Toussaint fanned 181 in 170 1/3 innings and held batters to a .234 average. He has a good fastball that generally sits in the 93-to-95 MPH range, but has been clocked at 98. His changeup and delivery have always been constant work projects. Some scouts compare Toussaint to former Cleveland right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez. Like Jimenez, when Toussaint keeps his mechanics and mental approach under control, he can be very effective.

Kelly, 30, made his major league debut last June with the Philadelphia Phillies, throwing four innings in four relief outings. The pitch-to-contact right-hander has mostly been used in middle relief and as a backend starter in 11 pro seasons. He was a supplemental first-round pick by the San Diego Padres in 2011.

Baragar, 28, appeared in 49 games for the San Francisco Giants in 2020 and 2021, pitching to a combined 7-2 record with a 2.78 ERA and two saves. That came after five so-so seasons in the minors until the Giants’ analytics department determined that Baragar’s power sinker could play well out of the bullpen. Yet last spring he was placed on waivers. Arizona claimed the 6-foot-3 lefty and sent him to Triple-A Reno, where it was back to mediocrity: 3-1, 5.51 ERA.

Simpson, 31, has worked exclusively in relief in 164 games in the minors. His record was 12-16 with a 4.20 ERA and 13 saves. He does rack up strikeouts with low hits-allowed totals but Simpson may be a guy who can gain consistency under the tutelage of Cleveland pitching coach Carl Willis.

Gallagher, 30, gives the Guardians yet another experienced backstop with good defensive metrics. Francona insists on having a catcher adept at calling a game, framing pitches, and communicating with his hurlers. Recently signed veteran Mike Zunino likely will be the starter with Gallagher battling rookies Bo Naylor and Bryan Lavastida for the reserve role.

Quinn, 29, is extremely fast and can play all three outfield spots. He’s a switch-hitter who does not hit enough to be an everyday player. But he can be valuable coming off the bench as a pinch-runner or defensive replacement. He’s hit just .226 in 222 games with the Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays but has 43 steals in 54 attempts.

Last year, similar low-risk signings such as RHP Enyel De Los Santos and C Luke Maile helped the Guardians claim the AL Central Division. Cleveland’s farm system produced starting outfielders Oscar Gonzalez and Steven Kwan along with lefty reliever Sam Hentges as important parts of the playoff team. More youngsters are on the way which further adds to the depth of the Guardians.