DETROIT — Do you have a question about the Guardians that you’d like to have answered in Hey, Hoynsie? You can subscribe to Subtext here, text Hoynsie at 216-208-4346 for a two-week free trial or email him at phoynes@cleveland.com.
Hey, Hoynsie: The Guardians have outfielders C.J. Kayfus, Chase DeLauter, Angel Martinez, Jhonkensy Noel, Nolan Jones, Lane Thomas and Will Brennan trying to stay in or get to the big leagues. How do they sort through all these players? — Mike Barrett, Ashland.
Hey, Mike: That’s the challenge for the manager, coaches, and front office executives to navigate. Right now, they have All-Star Steven Kwan in left field and a cast of thousands in center and right field.
Jones is out of options, Thomas can be a free agent at the end of the year and Brennan is on the injured list. Martinez has an advantage because he can play the infield. Noel is struggling to get at-bats with the Guards.
DeLauter just arrived at Triple-A and needs to stay healthy to get to Cleveland. Kayfus, besides hitting well, is playing the outfield and first base at Columbus.
There’s nothing wrong with having decisions to make. It’s the sign of a healthy organization.
Hey, Hoynsie: How worn down were the Guardians after getting swept in Cincinnati, spending three miserable days in the rain in Minneapolis, and then arriving in Detroit to play a four-game series against the AL-Central leading Tigers? — Terry Richards, Peoria, Arizona.
Hey, Terry: Things did not look good when the Guardians touched down in Detroit late Wednesday. But taking the first two games of the four-game set against the Tigers certainly changed their perspective. Victory is a broom that sweeps away the big and small flaws that every team has.
Hey, Hoynsie: It is always amazing when managers win playoffs and manager of the year awards only to get fired a year or two later. I’m addressing the Brandon Hyde situation in Baltimore. Do you remember an occasion when a GM or team president was let go instead of the manager? — Dave Bowers, Avon.
Hey, Dave: It doesn’t happen often, but in August 2023 the White Sox fired GM Rick Hahn and executive vice president Ken Williams while manager Pedro Grifol stayed on to finish a 61-101 season.
That, however, is an outlier. In most cases, the manager takes the fall.
Hey, Hoynsie: Years ago the Indians used to do a winter caravan where they bussed players and coaches around Ohio and Pennsylvania, stopping in different cities to drum up enthusiasm for the upcoming season. That’s how I got Sandy Alomar’s autograph on his rookie card. Will they ever do that again? — Judy Ray, Columbus.
Hey, Judy: I’ll never say never, but I don’t think the winter caravan is making a comeback. For a while Tribe Fest and Guards Fest replaced the caravan, but the organization has pulled back on that offseason celebration for reasons known only to themselves.
I went on several of those caravans and it was always fun. The problem was that once you got on the bus, you couldn’t get off the bus.
Guardians second base prospect Travis Bazzana has been sidelined with a left oblique injury.Diamond Images/Getty Images
Hey, Hoynsie: Any chance we could still see Travis Bazzana in Cleveland this year considering his recent injury? — Mark Scott, Malvern.
Hey, Mark: I don’t think so.
Bazzana is going to miss eight to 10 weeks with a strained right oblique muscle. That means he has to make up that lost developmental time. MLB’s No. 1 pick in 2024 is not going to do that in the big leagues.
Hey, Hoynsie: Do you think the Guardians would try Kyle Manzardo in right field when David Fry returns? It would be great to see them in the lineup together. — Steve Buzon, Alexandria, Virginia.
Hey, Steve: The Guardians had Manzardo practicing in the outfield last year, but I haven’t heard much about it this season. They have several more experienced outfielders who can’t get enough playing time.
Then again, this is an organization that believes anyone can play the outfield. Let’s hope Fry’s rehab goes well and they are forced to have that conversation.
Guardians right fielder Jhonkensy Noel is trying to keep his swing sharp, while platooning.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Hey, Hoynsie: Is it possible to lower a batter’s chase rate when he’s hitting? Jhonkensy Noel is swinging at so many pitches that aren’t strikes. — John Kyle, Westfield Center, Ohio.
Hey, John: It’s possible, but it’s difficult. Power-hitters such as Noel get paid to drive the baseball. Noel’s chase rate on pitches outside the strike zone has jumped from 45% last year to 45.8% this year. The average chase rate in the big leagues is 26%.
Noel reached the big leagues in 2024 by hitting .290 (76 for 258) at Triple-A Columbus as an everyday player. Now he’s playing sparingly for the Guardians, and it’s difficult to keep his swing in line.
Hey, Hoynsie: If the season ended after Friday’s games, the AL Central would send four teams to the postseason. Who would have dreamed that? — Tim Johnson, Rockville Indiana.
Hey, Tim: I don’t think the season will end that way, but what a great shot in the arm for a division that has been looked down upon over the years. Last year the AL Central sent three teams to the postseason with the Guardians reaching the ALCS. Sending four would be shocking, but it shows the quality of baseball being played in the division.