The Minnesota Twins enter 2022, and the team is looking to compete in a much-improved American League Central. The team has made some big moves in the offseason, but the other teams in their division did as well.
To get ready for the season, we’re taking a look around at the other division rivals; their lineups, their rotations, bullpens and their offseasons. To do this, I enlisted the help of the other FanSided network experts to help break down their team. We started out with the Kansas City Royals and are continuing today with the Cleveland Guardians.
We’re breaking down the Minnesota Twins American League Central rivals, continuing with the Cleveland Guardians.
After trading away several key veterans over the last few years to slash payroll, Cleveland took a big step back last year. I talked with Steve DiMatteo from Away Back Gone, and he helped me break down their team in 2022, and we’ll start once again with their offseason.
Minnesota Twins: AL Central Rival Important Offseason Moves
Key Cleveland Guardians Additions: C Luke Maile, RP Bryan Shaw (Re-Signed), RP Emmanuel Clase (Extended)
Key Cleveland Guardians Departures: OF Harold Ramirez (traded to the Cubs), RP Blake Parker, C Roberto Perez, C Wilson Ramos
Roberto Perez and Wilson Ramos were replaced by Luke Maile, but that’s a net loss, as Perez is a Gold Glover when healthy. Losing Blake Parker and Harold Ramirez is a bummer, but the big issue here is the lack of additions.
We added Bryan Shaw and Emmanuel Clase, because outside of Maile, the team didn’t make any other major league additions. Cleveland’s payroll is now down to just over $40 million. To quote DiMatteo: “Since I have to keep this PG, I’ll just ask: What offseason moves?” If I were a Guardians fan, I’d feel the same way.