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Hey, Hoynsie: Why can’t the Guardians hit? They have a glut of .300 Triple-A hitters who struggle when they get to the big leagues. Also, why the endless position switching? Imagine doing this with Omar Vizquel, Kenny Lofton, Albert Belle or Jim Thome — Josh Badger.
Hey, Josh: There’s an old saying in baseball to describe the difficulty in hitting as opposed to pitching. It goes like this — “The ball moves, home plate doesn’t.”
It’s hard to learn to hit at the big-league level, and that’s what a lot of the Guardians’ prospects have been asked to do.
The Guardians stress versatility and platooning to get the most out of their roster. It’s also a way to keep the payroll down. Imagine what it would be today with Vizquel, Lofton, Belle and Thome on the same roster. That might be too much for even the Dodgers to handle.
Daniel Espino, Cleveland Guardians.Getty ImagesHey, Hoynsie: Did Daniel Espino finish his Arizona Fall League season healthy? If so, will he have a good chance to make the club as a reliever? — Steve Buzon, Alexandria, Virginia.
Hey, Steve: Espino made four starts in the AFL, and finished the season healthy. He topped out at 101 mph but pitched only 4 2/3 innings in his four starts with seven strikeouts and three walks.
I think it would be hard for Espino to help the Guardians in 2026 because he’s pitched so little in the last four seasons due to injuries. He’s going to need time in the Arizona complex league or the minors to compile more innings and strengthen his arm. He does have one minor league option left.
Hey, Hoynsie: What do you think the Guardians’ starting pitching lineup looks like in 2026? — Cleveland Ed, Winter Haven, Florida.
Hey, Ed: Providing the Guardians don’t trade one of their starters, I think the top four starters in the rotation will be Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Logan Allen and Slade Cecconi. The fifth spot will go to either Joey Cantillo or Parker Messick.
Hey, Hoynsie: Will the Guards have to pay Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz until their trial is over? — Tom Columbus, Dayton.
Hey, Tom: Right now, both players are on the restricted list. They don’t count against Cleveland’s 40-man roster and aren’t getting paid. It has not been determined if Cleveland will have to pay them in 2026.
There are two parts to the situation — the government’s case against Clase and Ortiz and MLB’s investigation into the two pitchers. Ideally, both will be settled sometime before the start of the regular season, but that’s far from certain.
On Tuesday, the judge announced that the jury selection will begin on May 4. The Guardians open the regular season on March 26.
Steven Kwan (right) and Brayan Rocchio celebrate a win over the Tigers last season.John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Hey, Hoynsie: If you had to guess, what are the odds Steven Kwan will get traded this offseason? If so, to whom and for what? — Bobby, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Hey, Bobby: I’m not good at making predictions, but it’s hard for me to believe that the Guardians, who had so much trouble scoring runs last season, would trade one of their top offensive players before the start of the season.
Hey, Hoynsie: I would love for Cleveland to re-sign Steven Kwan. However, Kwan is Cleveland’s union rep. No union rep will give a hometown discount or sign early without hitting free agency. As a result, Kwan will be traded by the deadline in 2026. — Andy Gasho, Strongsville.
Hey, Andy: If Kwan is traded or doesn’t sign an extension before becoming a free agent after the 2027 season, I don’t think being a player rep will be the reason why.
Hey, Hoynsie: Does newly-signed right-hander Connor Brogdon take up a spot on the 40-man roster? His ERA in the minors last year was 9.82 in 17 appearances. With as good as the Guardians’ pitching is, there has to be a Triple-A pitcher of equal or better value. — Tim Johnson, Rockville, Indiana.
Hey, Tim: Yes, Brogdon was added to the 40-man roster, signing a one-year deal worth $900,000. Over the years, this front office has done a good job of finding under-the-radar relievers including Jakob Junis, Matt Festa, Kolby Allard, Pedro Avila, Anthony Gose, Enyel De Los Santos, Nick Wittgren, Oliver Perez etc. Let’s give him a chance.
Hey, Hoynsie: How are Guardians players doing in the winter leagues? — Don Dohanyos, Escondido, California.
Guardians’ Gabriel Arias is hitting well in Venezuela this winter.John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Hey, Don: Shortstop Gabriel Arias has been one of the busiest Guardians this winter. He’s hitting .270 (27 for 100) with four doubles, three homers and 14 RBI for La Guaira in Venezuela.
In the Dominican Republic, prospect Angel Genoa is hitting .325 (27 for 83) with five doubles and eight RBI for Aguilas. Angel Martinez is hitting .158 (6 for 38) with one homer for Estrellas and Jhonkensy Noel is hitting .121 (4 for 33) with two homers and four RBI for Este.In Puerto Rico, Johnathan Rodriguez is hitting .237 (18 for 76) with one homer and 12 RBI for Carolina.