The Cleveland Guardians only had one thing on their mind when they signed Mike Zunino to a one-year contract extension in the offseason: offense.
The veteran backstop has been known as one of MLB's best slugging catchers for a few years. Zunino was an All-Star in 2021 when he slugged 33 home runs, leading the league for his position.
Considering that the Guardians had Austin Hedges as their primary catch last season (.163 AVG) and Luke Maile as their backup (.221 AVG), they were in dire need of an upgrade.
There's no doubt that Zunino will be that upgrade. Even if he only hits 10 home runs, it will tie the total that Maile and Hedges combined for last season.
However, everything comes with a cost. This includes the offensive addition behind the plate.
In the case of the Guardians, they'll pay for the extra offense with a downgrade on defense.
Cleveland has been spoiled by a handful of fantastic defensive catchers in the 2010s including Yan Gomes, Roberto Perez, and Hedges. It was rare that these guys would let a passed ball go through or not block a wild pitch. This was a norm for Cleveland but in reality, it was a privilege we often overlooked.
This left fans stunned at the number of balls that got passed Zunino during Cleveland's opening series against the Seattle Mariners.
There were 53 wild pitches during Opening Weekend and six of those came from Cleveland alone.
In Zunino's defense, this is an entirely new pitching staff that he's catching for and there will be an adjustment period to work through. This could have contributed to his struggles through the first three games he's been behind the plate.
But is this defensive downgrade for more offense worth it?
Absolutely!
It's been said time and time again about how the Guardians had no power and were one of the worst home run-hitting teams in 2022. Zunino changes that narrative and extends this lineup whether he's batting sixth or seventh.
He showed this off in the finale against the Mariners when he hit a three-run home run to left field. Cleveland doesn't win this game without the homer.
Zunino also already has four hits (three of them doubles) in his first 11 plate appearances as a Guardian. This comes out to an average of .444 and an OPS of 1.545.
The defense will be missed, but more offense is what the Guardians needed.
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