This Week in Guardians Baseball: Opening Day Roster Guesses

The Athletic's Zack Meisel has written his Opening Day roster projection, so why not start up the 2023 version of This Week in Guardians baseball and get the feedback from the WFNY staff?Editor's note: comments have received some light editing for brevity purposes.

Bo Naylor

• Gerberry: I think Naylor will be the backup catcher. I can't see them putting more resources (40-man spots) into catcher.
• Forness: I’m of the same mind; the only other option should be Lava. Lava isn’t beating Bo.
• Bode: Zack has been insinuating that Bo is starting the year in AAA all offseason. I don't know if he knows something or is speculating, but it's seeped into the fanbase and now that is the expectation amongst most. Personally, I start Bo in The Show.
• Krall: I’ve been saying all along if Bo isn’t the starter, they should carry three. Bo can DH or pinch hit and you can get his bat in the lineup when needed. If he’s the sole backup, he can’t play if he’s not catching that day.

Other differences of opinion from Mr. Meisel on position players

• Bode: IF: +Tyler Freeman OF: -Will Benson (I do believe that Josh Naylor will spend some time in RF).
• Gerberry: Freeman over Benson. Brennan 4th OF, Naylor 5th if need be. They were using Arias in the OF at the end of the year.
• Forness: As long as they don’t use either (Arias/Benson) at 1B. Waste of tools.

Other differences of opinion from Mr. Meisel on pitchers

• Bode: SP: no change (unless we find a Plesac taker, unlikely until mid-year). RP: +Touki, -Herrin ... though I wouldn't be totally surprised to see them put Morris or Gaddis there instead.
• Forness: You don’t think Morris is a good candidate for opening day?
• Gerberry: I’d love Morris out of the pen, I don’t see them doing it to start the year. I want Morris to be this years Eli, but I think the org wants him prepped as a starter.
• Krall:  Morris hasn't shown an ability to stay on the field, and when you contrast that with a potential stud out of the bullpen, it's not that hard of a decision.
• Bode: Our rotation is full if we don't move someone. If we make a trade, then he's in... if we don't, then we might start him in the bullpen to reduce his overall innings load on the year because I do think the FO views him in the rotation (as a trial) by September.
• Forness: Also, Cantillo, Gaddis, Curry, Pilkington, Allen, Battenfield, Williams, Bibee, Espino all potentially available this season.
• Gerberry: So.Many.Arms.
• Bode: I'd be somewhat surprised to see Gavin Williams and Espino this season (maybe a short cup of coffee) as I fully expect the organization to be really careful with them. Bibee & Allen are the next high-end arms coming (imo).
• Forness: I don’t disagree, but none of them are truly impossible this season. I would be thrilled with a full season of AAA for Espino to hopefully shed some of that reliever risk worry.
• Krall: Espino I think is probably not happening, at least not in a starter role. The others are possible in really any capacity. Williams does have that injury history, but unlike Espino, he's built up from last year. maybe the guards cleaned something up mechanically that could keep him healthy. only time will tell.