As the 2024 season gets closer and closer, Cleveland Guardians fans will finally get some clarity on who will be the team's choice to be in the everyday starting lineup. Specifically, fans want to know how the outfield will shake out with so many different options for rookie manager Stephen Vogt.
Mandy Bell, who covers the Guardians for MLB.com, touched on this topic in her latest newsletter . She mentioned that heading into spring training, Myles Straw is viewed as the most likely option to be the starting centerfield for Cleveland on Opening Day.
This is what Bell had to say about the current outfield situation:
Myles Straw probably will be the starter on Opening Day, and the Guardians can react later if that’s not working ... It seems safest to assume that he’ll get the first crack at demonstrating that his work over the offseason can pay off, but manager Stephen Vogt mentioned at the Winter Meetings that they’ll be looking at all center-field options.
She also mentioned earlier in her story that some positions that fans may think are up for grabs, in reality, are not. One of those positions is at center field.
The narrative about Straw has been the same for over two years now. Yes, he is a Gold Glove-caliber defender at the most important outfield position, but Straw's offense production has been unbearable at times.
Straw had a slash line of .238/.301/.297 and ranked in the 89th percentile in OAA in the 2023 season.
Cleveland needs more production on offense from their outfielders. Outside of Steven Kwan, the Guardians have been searching for answers as to who will be part of their long-term core.
The Guardians still have George Valera, Johnathan Rodriguez, and Jhonkensy Noel at the minor league level. Plus, Will Brennan, Estevan Florial, and Ramon Laureano will presumably be on the 26-man roster.
It's a crowded-position group with plenty of unknowns.
If the Guardians do choose to go with Straw to start the season, it will be interesting to see how long they give him if there does not seem to be improvement on offense.
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