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Minnesota Twins: Breaking Down the 2022 AL Central Rivals-Cleveland

By Otto Johnson |
Cleveland Guardians infielder Jose Ramirez prepares for his at bat against the Oakland Athletics during spring training. (Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports)
Cleveland Guardians infielder Jose Ramirez prepares for his at bat against the Oakland Athletics during spring training. (Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports)
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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.

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Franmil Reyes swings against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training game. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Cleveland Guardians outfielder Franmil Reyes swings against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training game. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports) /

Minnesota Twins: AL Central Rival Projected Lineup

  • C: Austin Hedges
  • 1B: Bobby Bradley
  • 2B: Yu Chang
  • SS: Andres Gimenez
  • 3B: Jose Ramirez
  • LF: Amed Rosario
  • CF: Myles Straw
  • RF: Josh Naylor
  • DH: Franmil Reyes

Unlike the Minnesota Twins, Cleveland’s lineup is not expected to be a strength, but there a few bright spots. Jose Ramirez is still a superstar, Amed Rosario, Myles Straw, and Franmil Reyes are solid bats, and Bobby Bradley offers some pop. Steven Kwan has some potential as a prospect. Unfortunately, the roster is far from settled aside from them.

Josh Naylor will miss the start of the year, and while Austin Hedges and Andres Gimenez are good defenders, their bats are not the same caliber. On top of that, the lineup could look totally different come Opening Day, with Owen Miller, Oscar Mercado, and Ernie Clement as possible starters, even though it might not be the best decision for the team.

This lineup won’t win enough games to take home a Wild Card spot, but there is help on the way. In addition to Kwan, top prospects Gabriel Arias, Tyler Freeman, and Nolan Jones should make their MLB debuts. The big question is: where will they play? If the team is going to get better, trading Franmil Reyes and Ramirez could open up more playing time and bring back more young talent.

Here’s how Steve DiMatteo felt:

The lineup is likely going to struggle at times, especially if the team insists on trotting out the likes of Bradley Zimmer instead of an intriguing rookie like Steven Kwan. If Cleveland really wants to roll with a youth movement, the Guardians need to do it in earnest. Kwan is a trendy AL ROY pick after making the Opening Day roster, though I’d expect to see Gabriel Arias sooner than later as well, and he could easily take the starting shortstop job immediately upon his entrance to the big leagues.
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber throws a pitch during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners. (Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber throws a pitch during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners. (Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports) /

Minnesota Twins: AL Central Rival Projected Rotation and Bullpen

Rotation

  1. Shane Bieber
  2. Cal Quantrill
  3. Aaron Civale
  4. Zach Plesac
  5. Triston McKenzie

Bullpen

  • Emmanuel Clase
  • James Karinchak
  • Nick Sandlin
  • Bryan Shaw
  • Anthony Gose
  • Sam Hentges
  • Trevor Stephen
  • Logan Allen
  • Eli Morgan
  • Konnor Pilkington

All of Cleveland’s playoff chances rest on the fate of the rotation. When this group is pitching at its best, it’s one of the best in baseball. Shane Bieber is one of the best pitchers in baseball, and when they’re on, Aaron Civale, Zach Plesac, Cal Quantrill, and Triston McKenzie form a formidable rotation.

On the bullpen side, Emmanuel Clase is an elite closer. James Karinchak, who’s hurt to start the year, Nick Sandlin, Bryan Shaw, and converted outfielder Anthony Gose are solid, but the rest of the bullpen is completely up in the air.

Unfortunately, injuries and ineffectiveness killed this team last year. If they struggle to recover their form, this team could struggle to reach 80 wins. The Guardians will once again rely on their pitching, hoping to not repeat another once-in-a-century rash of injuries to the rotation.

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase delivers the final pitch of the game against the Texas Rangers. (Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports)
Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase delivers the final pitch of the game against the Texas Rangers. (Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports) /

Minnesota Twins: AL Central Rival 2022 Predictions

Cleveland’s season could go in one of three directions. The first one is success, but it takes A LOT to go right. If Shane Bieber wins the Cy Young and the other four starters post sub-4.00 ERAs, the rest of the bullpen improves, the young lineup additions take hold, the team can make it to 90 wins. That seems unlikely.

The worst case situation is Bieber and Ramirez gets hurt, the young players are un-impressive, and the bullpen is a disaster, causing the team to lose 90 games. Ramirez, Reyes, and Plesac are traded, and a long rebuild begins. In reality, the third situation is the most likely.

The rotation carries the surprisingly solid lineup to a win total from 75-80 wins, the team finishes third in the division, and their team actually retools instead of rebuilding. DiMatteo agrees on these outcomes:

The best-case scenario is that the Guardians shock the world and compete for a playoff spot and possibly even make the postseason riding a truly excellent rotation that stays healthy. Worst-case scenario is injuries and another lackluster offense completely doom the season and, should he not be extended, Jose Ramirez gets traded at the deadline. My prediction is somewhere in-between, probably around another 80-85 wins.

Similar to Kansas City, Cleveland has several different outcomes for this season, and will be interesting to see how things shake out.

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