Cleveland Guardians Leadership Is Always on Guard

Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona chatting with general manager Chris Antonetti.

February 27, 2023

Guardians 12, Cubs 4

MESA, Ariz., Feb. 27 — What a difference seven years can make.

What a bigger difference having Chris Antonetti and Terry Francona making key decisions throughout that same era of Cleveland baseball.

The Cleveland Guardians played the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park Monday in a matchup of the two World Series clubs from 2016.

Entering 2017, the Cubs’ future shone brightly after beating Cleveland in seven games. Chicago had young stars Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Jorge Soler, Kyle Schwarber, Javier Baez, Willson Contreras, Aroldis Chapman and others.

Guess how many players from that team are still with the Cubs. One. Pitcher Kyle Hendricks.

For that matter, how many players are still with Cleveland? One. Jose Ramirez.

Yet these two ballclubs have not traveled anywhere near the same path. Since then, Cleveland has made the post-season five times; the Cubs three, including the Covid half-season of 2020. The Cubs are in the midst of a major rebuild that has seen them go 71-91 and 74-88 the past two seasons.

Meanwhile, Antonetti and his staff of scouts and numbers crunchers along with Francona and his coaches have won three AL Central titles and finished second three times. That’s sustained excellence despite fiscal restraints coupled with losing such stalwarts as Corey Kluber, Francisco Lindor, Carlos Santana, Trevor Bauer, Carlos Carrasco, Mike Clevinger and others.

Cleveland Guardians Plan for the Future

The difference is in the Guardians’ uncanny ability to plan for the future.

Chicago lost staff ace Jake Arrieta to free agency and got nothing in return. Cleveland’s ace was due for free agency, but Antonetti traded Kluber to Texas. They got back Emmanuel Clase, now one of the most dominating closers in the game.

When Lindor was about to bolt, he and Carrasco were sent to the New York Mets for infielders Amed Rosario and Andres Gimenez and two minor-leaguers who still may help down the road.

The Cubs dealt slugger Rizzo to the Yankees for two minor-leaguers who have not helped; NL MVP Bryant went to the Giants for two more minor-leaguers; Baez to the Mets for a minor-leaguer; for Soler they did get closer Wade Davis from the Royals, but they got nothing in return for free agents Chapman, Schwarber and Contreras.

Meanwhile, Bauer was dealt for five players including Franmil Reyes, who had a couple of nice years in Cleveland. Clevinger brought back six guys including current key pieces Cal Quantrill and Josh Naylor along with still-developing Gabriel Arias and Joey Cantillo.

What does it mean for Cleveland fans?

Have faith in two of baseball’s best leaders. Despite hurdles and roadblocks that stymies most teams, Antonetti and Francona are proven winners. Chances are that the Guardians once again will compete for the AL Central title.

Roman Candles Going Off Again

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Roman Quinn, signed last month to give the Guardians a speedy defensive outfielder in a reserve role, has gone from track star to Babe Ruth.

Quinn launched a two-run homer and three-run shot to power Cleveland past the Cubs, 12–4. It gave him three homers this spring. In 222 career games in the majors with Philadelphia and Tampa Bay, the 29-year-old hit…a whopping eight.

Leave It to Bieber … and Lots of Relievers

Cleveland Guardians ace Shane Bieber worked two hitless innings, walking one and striking out one. Eli Morgan was tagged for three runs and five hits in one inning. His chanegup didn’t seem to change ths Cubs’ minds about swinging freely. Big lefty Konnor Pilkington fanned four and allowed two hits and two walks over two scoreless innings. … OF George Valera, one of the Guardians’ top prospects, had a pinch-hit single. … The Cubs used 11 pitchers, allowing eight walks total. … Cleveland had six pitchers follow Bieber to the mound.