3 Cleveland Guardians players who do not deserve to be back in 2024

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The Cleveland Guardians season is coming to a close, and with it comes a time to evaluate which players should and should not be part of their plans moving forward. The following are three players who should not be on the roster for the 2024 season.

1. Cam Gallagher

It is incredibly difficult to make a case for Cam Gallagher being on this team in 2024. Gallagher is not impressive offensively, with just 18 hits in 136 at-bats while striking out 44 times this season. 12 of his hits this season are singles, with the remaining six being doubles. Gallagher's .132/.162/.176 slash line and .338 OPS are the worst marks of his career.

Cleveland's backstop of the future is Bo Naylor, and yet, Gallagher has seen much more time behind the plate than anyone would have preferred this season. While some of that is in part to the signing of Mike Zunino being a complete failure, the fact of the matter is that this a team that must go all-in on the younger Naylor brother.

Is there a world where Gallagher returns next season as Naylor's backup? Sure, but other options should be explored, as it would be nice to have a backup catching option capable of running into one rather than employing someone who has not homered since 2021.

2. Myles Straw

One thing has become abundantly clear this season. The Myles Straw experience has run its course.

It would be different if Straw hit like he did in 2021, slashing .271/.349/.348 between Houston (.262/.339/.326) and Cleveland (.285/.362/.377). Even the midway point from what he has done the last two seasons (.224/.290/.279) and 2021 would be tolerable. The problem is that it does not appear that Straw is capable of not being a complete and total liability.

It would be one thing if Straw's performance at the plate was better. It would also be another if he was not someone who played as much as he has. Straw's 141 games played is second most of Cleveland's outfielders and fourth-most among all Guardians players this season. Ideally, Straw would be in a part-time role that saw him come in as a defensive replacement, pinch runner, or designated extra-innings man that starts on second base. Unfortunately, Cleveland's outfield has been so bad that they almost have to play him on an every day basis, because the alternatives are not anything to write home about.

Straw's defensive metrics have also seen a decline in 2023. In 2022, Straw was first overall in Ultimate Zone Rating (13.4) among all center fielders and is now 25th (1.8) in 2023. Straw's 17 defensive runs saved was second, only behind Michael A. Taylor's 19, with his six in 2023 ranking seventh.

The issue for Cleveland is the contract extension they signed Straw to after the 2021 season. This extension continues to age like milk in the hot sun as he is owed $4.9 million in 2024, $6.4 million in 2025, and $7.4 million in 2026. There are club options for the 2027 and 2028 seasons at $8 and $8.5 million respectively, both of which are almost guaranteed to be declined. The Guardians may have to attach a prospect of note in order to move him. While this does not sound ideal, Cleveland does have an excess of middle-infielders, and they could part ways with one to get his contract off the books.

3. Lucas Giolito

There was a time when the prospect of having Lucas Giolito in a team's rotation was a promising one. Unfortunately, that has not been the case as the 2023 season comes to a close.

While Giolito looked to have bounced back early on, with a 3.79 ERA and 1.223 WHIP in 21 games for the Chicago White Sox, the wheels fell off once he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels. Giolito struggled, allowing 25 runs in 32.2 innings with 34 strikeouts and 15 walks in his brief tenure on the west coast.

Cleveland took a chance on Giolito, claiming him on waivers along with two of his teammates (Reynaldo Lopez and Matt Moore). Giolito's numbers are slightly better but still not impressive by any means, giving up 14 runs on 19 hits, including seven home runs, in just 22.1 innings with the Guardians. The change of scenery in both cases could be to blame, as it is notable that his performance declined once being traded from Chicago. With that being said, 36 runs (42 total) in 49.2 innings is less than ideal.

There are two more things to consider when it comes to whether or not it would be wise to keep Giolito. Cleveland saw the emergence of three rookies in their rotation this year, which they will lean on moving forward. The trio of Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, and Logan Allen is clearly the future of the Guardians' pitching staff.

Additionally, Shane Bieber has one year of arbitration remaining, while Triston McKenzie is just entering his arbitration eligible years. There is the possibility that Bieber is moved this winter, opening up a spot for someone else, possibly Giolito. But it is much more likely that Bieber will be moved during the year considering the time he has missed this season. This means that there may not be an opening in Cleveland's rotation until some time in the middle of the season, making it hard to envision a scenario where Giolito returns.

1. Cam Gallagher

2. Myles Straw

3. Lucas Giolito

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