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Cleveland Guardians 2025 Opening Day roster projection 2.0; Who's on, who's off?
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- Cleveland Guardians 2025 Opening Day roster projection 2.0; Who's on, who's off?
The Guardians have less than a week to make some difficult decisions before they break camp and head to Kansas City and Opening Day of the 2025 season .
They still need to figure out how they're going to handle second base — at least until Travis Bazzana takes it over for good. They need to see who will nab the fifth spot in the starting rotation — at least until Shane Bieber can return from Tommy John surgery. And, as always, the last spot in the bullpen is up for grabs.
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Here's our Guardians 2025 Opening Day roster projection 2.0.
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase (48) and catcher Bo Naylor (23) celebrate after a win over the Detroit Tigers on July 9, 2024, in Detroit, Michigan.
Catchers (2): Bo Naylor , Austin Hedges
No questions here. The Guardians are hoping that Bo Naylor, in his age-25 season, can take the next step in his development, particularly on the offensive side in a lineup that could use some extra length. He posted a 20-homer, 20-steals season in the minor leagues but hasn't put it together in the majors just yet.
Cleveland Guardians' Tyler Freeman (2) draws a walk against the Chicago Cubs on March 1, 2025, in Mesa, Arizona.
Infielders (7): Jose Ramirez , Brayan Rocchio , Carlos Santana , Kyle Manzardo , Tyler Freeman , Gabriel Arias , Daniel Schneemann
It is important to note (on a daily basis, if necessary) that spring training stats are never the full story when it comes to roster decisions. That being said, Tyler Freeman and Daniel Schneemann both appear to be putting together quality spring camps . Those two, along with Gabriel Arias — the Guardians like his defense, but he does need to show some offensive production at some point — could handle the second base duties in the short run while also providing outfield depth.
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Kyle Manzardo has also been putting up solid numbers and should be in line for semi-regular at-bats in the DH spot, especially with David Fry set to start the season on the injured list .
Angel Martinez and Juan Brito will open the season in Triple-A. And Bazzana , at some point, is on the way.
Outfielders (4): Steven Kwan , Lane Thomas , Jhonkensy Noel , Will Brennan
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt isn't too fond of the term "platoon" — it's too simplistic of a concept for how he actually views things — but Jhonkensy Noel and Will Brennan could see a timeshare in right field while Steven Kwan and Lane Thomas handle left field and center field, respectively.
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Johnathan Rodriguez and Chase DeLauter — when he can finally find some resemblance of health — could factor into the right field picture at some point in 2025.
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams (32) pitches against the Kansas City Royals on Sept. 2, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Starting pitchers (5): Tanner Bibee , Luis Ortiz, Gavin Williams , Ben Lively , Logan Allen
Barring any last-second injuries, the first four spots should be set, with Tanner Bibee taking the ball on Opening Day.
For the fifth spot, Logan Allen might have forced his way to the top of the leaderboard. After a down 2024 season in which he spent most of it in Triple-A, Allen has put together a strong spring camp, along with a 1.89 with 19 strikeouts in 19 innings in Cactus League play.
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Triston McKenzie is also in play for that fifth spot, though in terms of making the Opening Day roster, he might have to be saved by a minor-league-options situation.
McKenzie is out of options, meaning he either needs to be on the major league roster or be exposed to waivers by March 27. If he had come to camp and proved his command had returned, this would be an easy decision, but that hasn't been the case. He has an 8.18 ERA with 15 hits (including three home runs), 10 earned runs and eight walks in only 11 innings.
Spring training stats are not the whole story, but that isn't exactly a pretty first chapter, either.
Looking at his pure stuff (meaning movement and other factors), McKenzie has given the Guardians some reasons for optimism, though it doesn't quite overshadow other elements (namely with command).
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But considering they have to risk losing him entirely if he's not in the starting rotation or the bullpen, McKenzie might be given at least some length of a leash to open the season in the majors in the hopes he can rediscover the command that made him the No. 2 starter in the rotation a few years ago. It isn't a perfect scenario, but it might be better than the alternative given the possibility he finds a breakthrough soon.
Perhaps the Guardians believe a temporary move to the bullpen could help to jolt some things back into place, with Allen rounding out the starting rotation.
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Hunter Gaddis (33) pitches against the Detroit Tigers during Game 4 of the ALDS on Oct. 10, 2024, in Detroit, Michigan.
Relief pitchers (8): Emmanuel Clase , Cade Smith , Hunter Gaddis , Tim Herrin , Paul Sewald , Jakob Junis , Triston McKenzie , Joey Cantillo
The first six spots should be locked up.
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Andrew Walters would make sense for No. 7 after a strong finish to 2024, but he might not be ready for Opening Day. He's been ramping up slowly this spring. If he's good to go, he could take over spot No. 7.
Kolby Allard looked to be a strong contender for the eighth spot, but manager Stephen Vogt announced Friday that he was informed he won't make the Opening Day roster with the Guardians. Allard was in camp as a non-roster invitee and did well, (1.35 ERA, 10 strikeouts, 13⅓ innings), but he won't be part of the 26-man roster.
Both McKenzie and Joey Cantillo have recently made appearances in more of an out-of-the-bullpen setting. Cantillo would give the Guardians a second lefty out of the bullpen. If not, he'd likely go to Triple-A as a starting pitcher.
Erik Sabrowski will open the season on the injured list. Slade Cecconi should figure into the mix (rotation or bullpen) at some point but could be headed to Triple-A to begin 2025.
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Tyler Naquin won't come anywhere near the Opening Day roster, but his quest to convert to a pitcher will be interesting to watch.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians Opening Day roster projection, prediction
