This Week in Guardians Baseball: Bold Proclamations

General over-reaction season is upon us in baseball based on the first initial set of games. So, let's feed into it and make our BOLD PROCLAMATIONS about the 2023 Cleveland Guardians season.Remember a bold proclamation is not for the meek. It's something that probably has only a 25% chance of happening, but you're willing to put your name onto it as something can/will happen. Say, it's the difference between a 30-30 Jose Ramirez season and a 40-40 Jose Ramirez season.

What are your bold proclamations about the offense for 2023 season?

Gerbs: More homers than you think. The front office has added power in Josh Bell and Mike Zunino, plus we stand to get full-ish seasons from Oscar Gonzalez and Gabriel Arias as pseudo-starters. Couple that with Andres Gimenez and Steven Kwan having a year under their belts and the development that comes with it plus a healthy season from Jose Ramirez and you've got (only just slightly) less Bloop Troop ball.Matt: That Myles Straw will hit a home run this year! (In the regular season that is.) With what we’re seeing so far, Straw has a new lease on life pulling the ball which has resulted in a WRC+ of 137 in the early showing. Him hitting a ball with a purpose has changed the complexion of the bottom of the order, So I feel like the baseball gods will do him a solid and he’ll hit his first big league home run in almost two seasons. It might not be the likeliest thing since Straw has hit more triples than home runs in his career (6 triple to 5 HRs) but hey a guy can dream.Michael:

• Guardians finish in the Top 6 in runs scored.
• Guardians finish with at least 175 stolen bases.
• Myles Straw finishes over 100 wRC+ and with more than 50 stolen bases (93 and 30 are his career single-season highs).
• Jose Ramirez finishes with a 40-40 (HR-SB) season.

What are your bold proclamations about the starting rotation for the 2023 season?

Gerbs: There will be more starters, but not how you think. 2022 saw 12 different starting pitchers, 11 if you do not include Bryan Shaw's masterful two starts as the opener, which was the most since 2008/2009. I do not think this will be the 2018 season where only seven different pitchers started games, nor will it be a huge number either, but I do think the organization is motivated to try some of these younger pitchers at the highest level early and often. If that means cutting ties with Zach Plesac, by all means.Matt: Tanner Bibee will not only jump into the rotation but start a playoff game. Look, this isn’t based on much reasoning outside of the reality that Zach Plesac will be punted to Saskatoon as soon as the opportunity arises. Either way, I am confident that Bibee who has the stuff and control that will give Tito some consideration for a playoff start and won’t have the same level of hesitation that he would with Plesac.Michael:

• Bibee and Allen both start their clocks in 2023.
• Plesac is not in the rotation after April (OK, not so bold after his first start, but I was planning on this already).
• 11 different pitchers start a game.
• McKenzie finishes second in strikeouts despite two month head-start for everyone else.

What are your bold proclamations about the bullpen for the 2023 season?

Gerbs: The Cleveland bullpen will lead the league in ERA. Last year, they finished with eh 5th lowest, this year they take the crown. More development from Stephan, Enyel De Los Santos, Nick Sandlin, Eli Morgan and others will keep the number low, plus when you add in the Triple-A starters that will come up and start out in long relief roles, ala Xzavion Curry, it will start to look real good.Matt: Recency Bias is a hell of a drug, but I think Tim Herrin will be the next breakout star of the pen. Obviously, it’s the smallest of small sample sizes but when a player makes history striking out the first 4 batters of his career it’s hard to ignore it. The slider and fastball combination, along with the funky three-quarter delivery gives me Andrew Miller vibes and I don’t think it’s a coincidence, even Francona said it himself. he’ll give the team another weapon and an extra lefty to go to. In a bullpen that already has an abundance of weapons, Tim Herrin will make it just a bit more lethal.Michael:

• Stephan leads the bullpen in strikeouts.
• Morgan leads the bullpen in innings.
• Hentges finishes with more innings than Herrin.

Any other bold proclamations for the 2023 season you would like registered on the record?

Gerbs: I feel like I've been pretty bold on the CornerCasts: Myles Straw gets replaced, seven different players will hit 20 HRs for the team, three of them will have 20/20 seasons...I've been out there. Basically, I think this is a banger year for the offense in GuardsTown.Matt: That the Guardians will send 4 all-stars to Seattle, and their names are Steven Kwan, Emmanuel Clase, Jose Ramirez, and Andres Gimenez.Michael:

• Guardians finish with at least 95 wins.
• Five different Guardians players get at least one AL MVP vote.
• No Guardian pitcher finishes in Top 10 of AL Cy Young vote.
• Guardians finish in Top 6 in runs allowed.