As the Cleveland Guardians prepare for the start of the 2025 MLB season, the team faces critical decisions regarding its roster and starting rotation that could shape its performance in a competitive landscape.
The Guardians' starting rotation will consist of Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Ben Lively, Luis Ortiz, and Logan Allen. This group is under pressure to uphold performance levels that match or exceed last season's achievements. Wilkins has a lot to prove after a prior injury interrupted his 2024 season. His spring training performance shows promise, with a 2.94 earned run average (ERA), a 0.973 WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched), and an impressive 15.3 strikeouts per nine innings across 12.1 innings pitched.
Ben Lively, while not at the same level as Bibee or Williams, is expected to provide the Guardians with stability and endurance on the mound after a solid 2024 season with a career-best 3.81 ERA, 1.245 WHIP, and 8.0 K/9 in 29 games. As for Ortiz, he demonstrated strong potential with the Pittsburgh Pirates last season, posting a 3.32 ERA and 1.113 WHIP in 37 games. Concerns exist regarding his sustainability due to low ground ball and strikeout rates, but he is expected to maintain a solid presence within the rotation.
Logan Allen claimed the fifth starter position over Triston McKenzie, who will now start the season in the bullpen. He struggled with control last year, allowing 15 hits and three home runs, resulting in a disappointing MLB-leading 19 home runs in just 16 starts. The Guardians hope that McKenzie will manage to find his footing later in the season and return to a starting role.
However, uncertainties loom over the Guardians' outfield, specifically in right field. With the recent acquisition of Nolan Jones from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for Tyler Freeman, a logjam has resulted, impacting Will Brennan's place on the roster. Despite having batted .265 in 252 games over the last two seasons, Brennan was optioned to Triple-A Columbus following the trade.
“It’s tough,” said Guardians manager Stephen Vogt regarding Brennan’s demotion. “Will took it like a pro, like he always does. Doesn’t mean it was easy. So, obviously, we know what Will can do, and we know he’s going to help us win games at some point this year, it’s just not going to be on Opening Day.”
Additionally, Andrew Walters, a right-handed pitcher who made his MLB debut in 2024, was also sent to the Minors as the team continued to finalize their roster. Walters allowed an unearned run across 8.2 innings in his debut season.
Another player underscored in the roster conversations is Will Wilson, a MiLB Rule 5 draft pick. Wilson has been a strong performer in spring training, hitting .303/.333/.485 with an OPS of 818, making him a viable internal option for the final roster spot that remains open.
“We are working through that final spot in the position player club,” initially stated Chris Antonetti, the Guardians’ president of baseball operations, on March 25. “It will likely be an internal candidate. Potentially, we could, with the number of IL placements we have, we might recall a player that’s already been optioned.” This includes the possibility of external acquisitions through trades or waivers.
The pressure intensifies as Opening Day approaches. The Guardians’ manager remains optimistic about Logan Allen’s abilities, who has been soaring in spring training with a 1.89 ERA, one save, and 19 strikeouts in six games.
“Like I told him, completely different pitcher than the one I saw last year, and that’s a credit to him and the work he put in this winter,” Vogt praised Allen's growth. “We continue to believe that the best version of our team has Triston McKenzie in the rotation.”
Beyond pitching, roster turnover has raised questions about the team's direction. Nolan Jones was drafted by Cleveland back in 2016 and had left for Colorado after the 2022 season. In 2023, Jones garnered attention by being fourth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting, batting .297 with 20 home runs. However, injuries plagued his 2024 season, limiting him to only 79 games with a .227 batting average and three homers. Given the team's familiarity with Jones, his return is anticipated to provide a much-needed left-handed bat in their rotation.
As the Guardians continue to make critical last-minute adjustments to their roster, fans and analysts alike eagerly await how these changes shape their performance in a robust American League Central division this season. With essential players like Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams ready to step up and new acquisitions like Nolan Jones among established talents playing pivotal roles, there is hope for Cleveland's baseball future.
