5 way too early predictions for the Cleveland Guardians in 2025

2. Jose Ramirez goes 40-40

Alright, here we go, something a little more bold than simply adding a pitcher into Cleveland's starting rotation. Jose Ramirez was actually one home run shy of accomplishing this feat in 2024, finishing with 41 stolen bases and 39 home runs in 158 games. Cleveland's final game of the season was canceled due to weather, making it easy to wonder if he could have hit that 40th home run if given the chance to.

Even though Ramirez is on the other side of 30 and will be playing his 13th major league season in 2025, he has proven to be one of the best hitters in baseball. Ramirez has 29 or more home runs in three of the last four seasons, including hitting over 35 twice.

When it comes to baserunning, Ramirez is probably one of the most overlooked productive base stealers in the game. Three is an art to stealing bases effectively, and Ramirez has clearly perfected that, stealing a career-high 41 last season.

The only real obstacle for Ramirez that would prevent him from accomplishing this feat would be if the rest of the lineup fails to pose a threat to opposing pitchers. If they can just pitch around Ramirez to face hitters they are not scared of, it is going to make it completely impossible for him to do much of anything at the plate. However, this team should still be in good enough shape offensively that Ramirez will get good pitches to hit.