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We’re back with another edition of Around the Horn. If you’ve missed any of the previous installments, our goal is to go position by position to examine what questions the Guardians might need to answer before the end of Spring Training.

Guardians Around the Horn: C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF

We’ve covered all of the infield and outfield. Let’s move to the starting rotation.

Projected starting five: Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie, Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Logan Allen
As long as everyone is healthy, this should be one area of the Guardians’ roster that doesn’t prompt any headaches. Bieber had been tied to trade rumors all offseason, but once Cal Quantrill was designated for assignment and traded to Colorado before the holidays, it made it much more difficult to envision a way for this team to have the depth it needed without Bieber. Although the organization was clear that losing Quantrill didn’t change the way it approached any other possible offseason moves, it’s difficult for that sudden lack of depth to not make an impact.

Bieber still could be moved before pitchers and catchers report, but as we get closer to that date, those chances become slimmer. Rarely does this organization watch top-tier starting pitchers walk into free agency, which is why it seemed so likely for Bieber to be traded this winter. But maybe his trade value wasn’t as high as the Guardians would have liked it to be.

Regardless, we’re going to assume Bieber is still in a Guardians uniform for at least the start of the 2024 season. Pair that with a healthy McKenzie and a trio of young starters who now have some experience under their belts and this could be the anchor this roster can lean on while the young offense figures out how to pick up steam. 

Depth options: Xzavion Curry, Carlos Carrasco, Ben Lively, Hunter Gaddis, Joey Cantillo
After the starting five, things get questionable for the Guardians. Guys like Curry, Gaddis or Lively are largely unproven in extended starting roles, should a long-term injury occur to one of the regulars. Eventually, Cantillo will get into this mix, however he will still need some time to get himself ready in Triple-A.

Cleveland at least gave itself some breathing room on Saturday, when Carrasco agreed to a Minor League contract with an invitation to big league camp, according to a source. Maybe in recent years he wasn’t the same caliber pitcher he once was, but the right-hander couldn’t escape injuries. If he’s healthy, coming back to a place he called home from 2009-20 as a possible sixth man or an extra arm in the bullpen could get him back on track. 

Question to answer: Can Bieber and McKenzie stay healthy?
This is a rotation that can allow Guardians fans to dream about its potential. Sure, growing pains can happen with young guys like Bibee, Williams and Allen, but if they are able to build even the slightest bit from what they were in their rookie seasons last year, this could be one of the best rotations in the Majors. That is, as long as everyone stays healthy.

Bieber and McKenzie are entering Spring Training with question marks. Although there’s no reason to believe that they’ll have restrictions once camp gets underway, it won’t be surprising if pitching coach Carl Willis slows down their normal spring progressions to make sure they don’t aggravate any of the injuries.

Bieber dealt with right elbow inflammation in the second half of last season. McKenzie started the year with a right shoulder strain before getting shut down with right elbow trouble after just two starts. Although both returned for the final week of the regular season, it’s still difficult to know whether they’ll be able to seamlessly jump back into action in 2024. If they can, this rotation will be quite an asset for the Guardians. If they can’t, the pitching depth will be tested. 

Who else is in the Pipeline?
• No. 3: RHP Daniel Espino (age: 23, Double-A Akron and on the 40-man roster)
• No. 9: LHP Alex Clemmey (age: 18, Rookie Arizona Complex League)
• No. 18: LHP Parker Messick (age: 23, High-A Lake County)
• No. 20: RHP Tanner Burns (age: 25, Double-A Akron)
• No. 23: LHP Jackson Humphries (age: 19, Single-A Lynchburg)
• No. 24: RHP Justin Campbell (age: 22, Rookie Arizona Complex League)
• No. 27: LHP Doug Nikhazy (age: 24, Double-A Akron)
• No. 28: LHP Will Dion (age: 23, Double-A Akron)

• Our friend Sarah Langs broke down the history Guardians manager Stephen Vogt is making by quickly going from player to manager.

• Now, let’s switch to the former manager. Terry Francona was honored at the BBWAA dinner in New York on Saturday night alongside Dusty Baker with Long & Meritorious Service Awards. Click here to watch the pair give their acceptance speeches.

• One of the Guardians’ most exciting up-and-comers made the Top 10 2B prospects list for 2024. 

MLB Pipeline released its Top 100 Prospects list for the ’24 season on Friday night, and four future Guardians made the cut:

• No. 31: OF Chase DeLauter
• No. 59: 1B Kyle Manzardo
• No. 91: SS/2B Brayan Rocchio
• No. 100: RHP Daniel Espino

DeLauter and Manzardo helped their cases at the beginning of the offseason, showing off their hitting ability, power and plate discipline during the Arizona Fall League. DeLauter could be ready for the big leagues in 2025, but Manzardo is hoping to get his name on the big league roster at some point in ’24 (He’ll certainly compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster). Rocchio will be in the thick of the shortstop battle this spring, and Espino will try to prove that the slew of injuries that have slowed his development are finally in the rearview mirror so that he can get to the Majors in ’25. 

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