Guardians president addresses future of manager Terry Francona

Cleveland Guardians team president Chris Antonetti seems to see the writing on the wall regarding the future of beloved manager Terry Francona.

"I think we’ve been pretty clear in our preferences and that was we wanted Tito to manage here or want Tito to manage here for as long as he’s able to, and it doesn’t conflict with his overall well-being, his fulfillment and happiness," Antonetti said Wednesday about Francona, per Chris Assenheimer of The Chronicle-Telegram. "And if there ever came a point in time where his well-being, his fulfillment, his health started to conflict with his job, we would have to relook at things, and at that point, we could start thinking about what’s next." 

While nobody associated with the Guardians has yet officially confirmed Francona will step down and/or retire after this season, the 64-year-old strongly hinted on multiple occasions this week that he won't return for another campaign. On Wednesday, it was learned the Cleveland franchise record-holder for the most career wins accumulated by a manager needs major shoulder replacement surgery and two hernias removed. 

"The most important thing and the thing I and we care about the most is Tito’s life after this and beyond baseball," Antonetti continued. "And we want to make sure he’s well positioned to enjoy every moment with his kids and his grandkids and everyone for a long time."

Francona underwent a heart procedure in 2017, missed significant time during the 2020 and 2021 seasons due to health-related reasons and was briefly hospitalized this past June after he experienced lightheadedness. 

On Wednesday, Antonetti referred to the three-time American League Manager of the Year as "one of the toughest individuals that I’ve ever been around." 

Second-place Cleveland entered Thursday four-and-a-half games back of the first-place Minnesota Twins in the AL Central standings. Antonetti suggested he won't begin thinking about life after Francona until it becomes a reality. 

"...All we can do during the season is try to prepare and win as many games as we can and help this group develop," Antonetti added. "And once we get to the offseason, there’s a new set of things that we’ll be focused on and at that point, we’ll revisit things with Tito, see where his head is, and take the appropriate steps then."

Including Wednesday's suspended game, the Guardians will complete two home contests versus the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday.