[U7Gohan]

Playoff Roundup

The Dodgers won Game 1 of the NLCS in dominating fashion with a 7-1 victory over the Cardinals, but the Cardinals erased a 4-0 deficit in the 8th of Game 2 with a Harrison Bader grand slam off of Ryan Pressly and then a Nolan Gorman RBI single an inning later. The Dodgers didn't let that stop them, though, dominating the next 2 games and winning Game 5 by a score of 2-1 on a tiebreaking solo shot by Joey Gallo in the 9th.

The 109-win Dodgers kept it rolling in the World Series, winning Game 1 on a go-ahead HR by Cody Bellinger in the 8th and Game 2 in blowout fashion. The Angels struck back in Game 3 and nearly erased a 6-1 deficit in Game 4, but the Dodgers stopped the bleeding in the 5th and held the Angels scoreless for the rest of the game, winning 7-5. The Angels took Game 5 to stay alive but lost Game 6 by a score of 4-1, as the Dodgers completed their all-time dominant season to win the World Series without much trouble.

State of the Team

News Dump

SP Nick Martinez, C Austin Hedges (2), SS Carlos Correa (3), and CF Michael A. Taylor (2) all won AL Gold Glove Awards. 2B Andres Gimenez and LF George Valera won AL Silver Slugger awards. LF George Valera won AL Rookie of the Year and CL Emmanuel Clase won AL Reliever of the Year as well.

Pitching Coach Bryce Bence retired, so we agreed to terms with John Courtright to be our new pitching coach. He brings a similar style of coaching to that of Bryce Bence, who coached the AL's top pitching staff in 2023.

The Guardians also agreed to an extension with pending FA RP Brad Boxberger (3.5, 3.5). The deal is for $4M/1yr and includes a team option for 2025.

For the arbitration cases, RP Anthony Castro (2.5, 2.5) and RP Angel Perdomo (2.5, 2.5) were non-tendered. Every other arbitration-eligible player was tendered a contract.

C Austin Hedges had his $3.4M team option for 2024 exercised.

SP Nick Martinez (2.5, 2.5), SS Brandon Crawford (3.0, 3.0), and LF Michael Brantley (3.0, 3.0) filed for free agency.

Offseason Goals

My biggest motivation currently would be to add another big bat. The playoffs were a struggle offensively for the Guardians, largely because of the struggles of Carlos Correa and George Valera, but with Michael Brantley leaving and George Valera entering his sophomore season, I need to be sure the lineup will be strong enough when accounting for potential regression. I would look for Bo Naylor to potentially headline a blockbuster deal. I also would like to acquire a #5 starter.

Minor League Report

The latest Top 100 Prospects update puts the Guardians at 21st in MLB, with four Top 100 prospects:

SS Angel Martinez (2.5, 3.0) - #46
SP Nazier Mule (0.5, 3.0) - #48
SP Lenny Torres (2.0, 3.0) - #81
SP Ryan Murphy (2.5, 3.0) - #82

SP Tanner Burns (2.5, 3.0) fell out of the Top 100.

Other emerging prospects to watch are:

C Zion Rose (0.5, 3.5) - R ACL
RF Edgar Periera (0.5, 2.5) - INT

Around the League

Awards

AL:

MVP: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)

Cy Young: Lucas Giolito (CHW)

Rookie of the Year: George Valera (CLE)

Reliever of the Year: Emmanuel Clase (CLE)

Manager of the Year: Aaron Sele (CLE)

NL:

MVP: Shohei Ohtani (LAD) (2)

Cy Young: Jacob deGrom (NYM) (3)

Rookie of the Year: JJ Bleday (MIA)

Reliever of the Year: Ryan Pressly (LAD)

Manager of the Year: Dave Roberts (LAD)

Top Free Agents

Hitters:

SS Javier Baez (3.5, 3.5)
3B Rafael Devers (3.0, 3.5)
CF Manuel Margot (3.0, 3.0)
LF Michael Brantley (3.0, 3.0)
3B Josh Donaldson (3.0, 3.0)

Pitchers:

CL Liam Hendriks (5.0, 5.0)
SP Jacob deGrom (4.0, 4.0)
SP Carlos Rodon (3.5, 3.5)
SP Mike Clevinger (3.0, 3.0)
SP Eduardo Rodriguez (3.0, 3.0)

Major Trades

SP Pablo Lopez (3.0, 3.5) to Mets

Major Extensions

RP Blake Treinen (3.5, 3.5) signs for $6.3M/2yr with Dodgers



The next post will round up December.