The Perfect Platoon for the Guardians?

Before I even get started, I need to announce - I hate the idea of the platoon.

Now with that out of the way, sometimes a platoon is necessary, and there are even examples in which they work out pretty well. Back in 2017 Lonnie Chisenhall and Jay Bruce combined for a .272 average, with 26 doubles, 3 triples, 19 home runs, and 79 RBI over 125 games (what we would do to get that kind of production in right field again). Well, the club may be on the verge of implementing another formidable platoon in the outfield. Maybe. Hopefully?

The two proposed players to form this platoon are none other than Will Brennan and the recently acquired Ramon Laureano. Laureano is a nearly risk-free acquisition who has a track record of hitting lefties. In 283 at-bats Brennan owns a career slash line of .297/.336/.424 against right-handed pitching. While on the other side of this proposed platoon, you have Laureano who slashes .271/.343/.447 against left-handed pitching in 479 at-bats.

Again, this isn't meant to be a permanent solution to the outfield woes. But as a stopgap for a season or two, the club could do a lot worse. You may even argue that they are, by playing Myles Straw regularly. It's been well-documented that Laureano has struggled with injuries and also missed 80 games due to a PED suspension. Hopefully, a change of scenery does him well, and pairing him in a platoon should take a lot of pressure off of him as well.

With the club needing to likely address, at least, one outfield spot this off-season - it would be wise to take the remaining eight weeks and see if this (amongst many others) arrangement could work. Playing to the strengths of your team/players is a wise choice and on paper, the Brennan/Laureano center field platoon makes a ton of sense. Though it could just as easily blow up and fail miserably.