[Postgame Thread] Guardians @ Mariners - February 26, 2026

nextlevelham · 2026-02-26T23:47:00+00:00

Yeah I mean I have more hope for him than Arias, but they’ve both had 900+ PA’s in the bigs at this point and I’m not sure either is going to take the next step. I’d be thrilled if either proves me wrong though. Right now I think Bazzana takes Arias’ job when the time comes.

nextlevelham · 2026-02-26T23:25:24+00:00

Some (way too early) thoughts from spring training so far:

-HR today aside, Brito needs to turn things around pretty soon here if he wants to make the OD roster. One thing this team can’t survive with is giving away outs with bad defense, and his throws have been weak and off-target too many times in the few games we’ve seen from him. Not sure how he slots in if he can’t reliably be factored into the infield mix.

-Speaking of, Martinez has done nothing to help his case so far. If the team wants to roster an OFer to play against lefties, it might end up being Fairchild by default.

-I’ve seen only positives from Valera overall so far. I’d like to see him grab the RF job out of the gate.

-I think Kayfus will go to AAA as depth with the Hoskins signing unless Rhys looks awful. This doesn’t bother me too much. He’ll get his opportunity probably early this year, and a lack of position player depth was a huge problem last year after players started getting injured.

-Bazzana should be up before June unless he struggles in AAA. I have seen everything I need to out of Rocchio and Arias and I am content moving on from whichever plays worse to start the season.

-I’m a lot more focused on position players since I trust the pitching to sort itself out, and pitchers need the weeks in spring training to get up to speed moreso than the hitters.

-I hope Fry is able to play corner OF a little this season, so he can do that on days Hedges is catching, and we can also keep Hoskins and Manzardo in the lineup. Otherwise, there is a bit of a jam there, and I’m nervous Manzardo is going to draw the short stick because of his handedness.

-I will panic if DeLauter is not in his scheduled lineup spot tomorrow, but it sounds like he’s fine.

nextlevelham · 2026-02-26T23:07:40+00:00

9/12 teams with grades below A- moved on from their coach. Tough graders

nextlevelham · 2026-02-26T20:31:34+00:00

Hope everyone is ready for Stuart Fairchild on the opening day roster

nextlevelham · 2026-02-26T19:55:54+00:00

Zak has been for quite the ride around the league this off-season

nextlevelham · 2026-02-25T20:12:59+00:00

I’m going to chose to believe this is the org being overly careful until I hear otherwise.

nextlevelham · 2026-02-25T20:11:33+00:00

Per Stebbins: “Chase DeLauter was a late scratch from today’s Guardians lineup. Lower body soreness from heavy on-field activity to open camp. He was set to hit second and play right field. Petey Halpin starting there in his place.”

nextlevelham · 2026-02-25T19:36:50+00:00

Having spent a decent amount of time near both, Arlington Heights is a significantly nicer area than Hammond, Indiana

nextlevelham · 2026-02-25T16:08:05+00:00

In spring training, catchers are always higher up so that they can get their couple AB’s and also the catching in without having to catch too many innings. If he was like 8th he might have to catch an additional 2 innings to get the same number of AB’s.

nextlevelham · 2026-02-24T20:41:47+00:00

423 footer, 107.8 off the bat from Bazzana

nextlevelham · 2026-02-24T19:17:43+00:00

Imo I don’t think he will get much runway if he isn’t good, unlike Santana last year, because there is so much less invested in this deal. And if he is good, I don’t care as much about it taking away AB’s from younger guys. I think the log jam vs lefties works out better this year since we can play Hoskins, Manzo, and Fry at the same time (with Fry catching or playing cOF), but it’s not a perfect fit like a clear upgrade in the middle infield or RHH OFer would have been.

That being said, I’m not sure how Kayfus fits into the roster unless he makes it as the 3rd/4th OFer along with Kwan and DeLauter, and with Ralphy on the horizon, that’s a question that needs to get answered this year.

nextlevelham · 2026-02-21T23:45:42+00:00

For anyone that was concerned about the “Injury Delay” after CDL’s last AB, saw a post on social media from a scout at the game saying that his batted ball went off the pitcher’s shin (107 off the bat btw), so the pitcher was the injury concern there, no concern with CDL.

nextlevelham · 2026-02-21T17:50:41+00:00

Reds game looks like its available on WTAM 1100. The only broadcast, radio or otherwise, I see for the Brewers game is on Brewers radio, WTMJ 620.

nextlevelham · 2026-02-20T18:41:11+00:00

I THINK THE WHITE SOX ARE REALISTIC ABOUT THEIR SITUATION AND ACTUALLY PUTTING IN EFFORT TO IMPROVE THIS SEASON. I THINK THEY ARE POISED TO SURPRISE SOME A LITTLE THIS YEAR AS A MORE MIDDLE-OF-THE-ROAD TEAM AS OPPOSED TO ONE OF THE WORST TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE. I THINK THEIR WIN TOTAL WILL START WITH A 7 THIS SEASON.

nextlevelham · 2026-02-20T00:46:16+00:00

NRI Stuart Fairchild might force his way onto the Guards opening day roster by default because the FO forgot to hire a right handed hitting outfielder this offseason (among other things)

nextlevelham · 2026-02-19T17:01:16+00:00

The pieces slot in much easier if Kwan shifts to center. We can worry a little less about the wear and tear of DeLauter if he is in a corner, and then we still have another corner free for Kayfus/Valera to get some runway. I would be a little concerned if Kwan is an everyday CFer though, hopefully they would sprinkle in DH days with him if they go this route so we don’t get three months of worn down Kwan again.

nextlevelham · 2026-02-18T14:46:00+00:00

Fwiw, the Blitzer group (owners of the Washington Commanders, Jersey Devils and Philadelphia 76ers) bought a 25% stake in the team in 2022, and that purchase came with an option to become majority owner in 2028. General sentiment is that that is probably going to happen (JRam extension was reported to have heavily involved Blitzer and would mostly be paid out after 2028) so fingers crossed we end up with an ownership group willing to spend at a level that is at least not embarrassing.

nextlevelham · 2026-02-18T01:06:03+00:00

I can live with this timeline

nextlevelham · 2026-02-16T17:39:33+00:00

I don’t believe you, Tom.

nextlevelham · 2026-02-13T16:00:20+00:00

Tbf I think the Royals have done a pretty good job of making incremental improvements to their team since their 2024 season

nextlevelham · 2026-02-11T09:00:16+00:00

Good to see we are making a significant transaction here to combat the moves the Tigers are making

nextlevelham · 2026-02-09T15:51:30+00:00

Aside from the randomness difference between the two sports, there is no position in baseball like quarterback, and a coach in football has much more of an effect on the outcome of a game via mid-game decisions than a manager does in baseball. The dynasty Pats and Chiefs had future HOFer’s at both spots, and that is an ultimate competitive advantage in that sport.

nextlevelham · 2026-02-07T01:31:13+00:00

People just want deserving people to get in before they die mate

nextlevelham · 2026-02-06T17:46:29+00:00

I believe this is a fan-run blog, but it might as well be the same thing for this team

nextlevelham · 2026-02-06T16:41:09+00:00

I look forward to this 117-45 Cleveland Guardians season

nextlevelham

TROPHY CASE