Cleveland Indians: Brandon Guyer’s absence shouldn’t be a problem

The Cleveland Indians will likely be without Brandon Guyer for the duration of the postseason, but his absence shouldn’t have any major negative effects.

The Cleveland Indians have dealt with injuries in the outfield all season, but the depth has been there to avoid any major decline in production.

That is why Brandon Guyer‘s absence this postseason shouldn’t be a major problem.

Both Guyer and Michael Brantley were question marks for the postseason roster, with Brantley making it and Guyer being ruled out for likely the entirety of the postseason.

His wrist has been bothering him all season and caused him to only appear in 70 games, finishing with a slash line of .236/.326/.327. He had two home runs and drove in 20 runs.

More from Away Back Gone

• Cleveland Guardians tantalizingly close to locking up AL Central tiebreakers
• Cleveland Guardians: Terry Francona becomes meme in profanity-laced ejection
• Say goodbye to defensive shifts and hello to bigger bases, pitch clock in 2023
• Cleveland Guardians: Shane Bieber second-fastest to 800 strikeouts in major-league history
• The next week will make or break the Cleveland Guardians’ season

Guyer joins Bradley Zimmer as two players who may have made the roster if healthy, but such a discussion doesn’t matter now. There is already enough debate about the roster and a game hasn’t even been played yet.

Guyer appeared in 10 postseason games in 2016 and picked up six hits in 18 at-bats, including a big double off Aroldis Chapman that led to Rajai Davis‘ magical moment.

He is known for his great numbers against lefties when healthy, but having Jay Bruce, Lonnie Chisenhall, Austin Jackson and Michael Brantley taking up outfield spots in the lineup should more than make up the difference.

Guyer also hit just .250 against lefties in 2017, although that came in a sample of just 111 at-bats. He hit .204 against righties in 54 at-bats.

Injuries are a part of every team’s postseason run, and although Guyer’s injury is unfortunate for him, it won’t be something fans lose sleep over. The same goes for the coaching staff, who values his veteran presence, but already had enough time deciding who to include on the roster.

Next: Road to WS begins with tough Yankees team

Guyer will still be around the team during the playoffs, so expect him to help off the field as a leader, the same way Brantley was a player for others to go to when he was injured.