3 Players who may not be in the Guardians' plans for 2024

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When looking ahead to the future of the Cleveland Guardians, there are going to be some players who will not be part of the equation. Identifying which players they are going to build around and those who they will move on from will have a major impact on the team's off-season plans. It will ultimately determine how the team approaches free agency and its aggressiveness on the trade market. As far as who they could move on from, some names are obvious while others may come as a surprise.

Myles Straw

The least surprising name gets the honor of showing up first on this list. Myles Straw is a solid defensive outfielder but has been a complete liability at the plate. As the lightest hitting option in an already power-devoid outfield, it seems logical that Straw would be someone finding himself on the outside looking in.

Even though Straw homered for the first time in two years, that still may not be enough for him to remain with the organization.

Straw was mentioned as the Guardians player most likely to be traded this off-season, a hardly surprising development considering how his last two years at the plate have gone. Cleveland needs more production from their outfield group, and Steven Kwan is not someone who will be bumped from regular playing time. Others could find their roles reduced, or as it is being suggested here, not in Cleveland after this season.

Oscar Gonzalez

The SpongeBob run of Oscar Gonzalez was an incredibly fun time. From August 2nd until the end of the season, Gonzalez slashed .301/.333/.477 with 15 doubles, nine home runs, and 29 runs batted in. Unfortunately, that success did not carry over into 2023.

Gonzalez struggled out of the gate and ultimately found himself with the Columbus Clippers, Cleveland's Triple-A affiliate. The 25-year-old saw his slash line drop to .192/.213/.288 before being sent down. Things have improved upon returning to Cleveland, as he has eight hits in 28 at-bats, including two that went from extra-bases (one double and one triple).

When it comes to Gonzalez, has been a lack of discipline at the plate. The tendency to be a free-swinger can result in a string of electric moments, such as the end of last season, but it can lead to prolonged ineffectiveness in the batter's box. Gonzalez struck out 19.6% of the time as a rookie and has seen that increase by over one-and-a-half percent in 2023 (21.2% entering Friday).

If the Guardians do not believe he can become a more consistent presence in the lineup, they could look for options internally and externally to fill his spot in the lineup.

Shane Bieber

This is far from being considered popular, but it exists in nearly every possibility that Dr. Strange could envision. The fact of the matter is that there is a scenario in which Shane Bieber is not in a Cleveland Guardians uniform next season.

The rumors about Cleveland potentially trading the 2020 American League Cy Young Award winner have been growing. They peaked this season as the Guardians were underperforming and as the trade deadline inched ever closer. Any possibility of that ended when Bieber went down due to an injury, with the Guardians opting to trade Aaron Civale to the Tampa Bay Rays at the deadline instead.

The outstanding pitching performances that the Guardians have received from their rookie trio of Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, and Logan Allen could factor into a decision that involves moving Bieber. There is also the eventual return of Triston McKenzie to take into consideration as well as other pitching prospects making their way through the system. This points clearly in the direction of Bieber being an off-season trade candidate. It may be too difficult of a proposition for Cleveland to pass up. If they can get a good enough offer which at least includes an impact bat being immediately inserted into their lineup, Bieber could find himself wearing the uniform of a different team come next season's Opening Day.