Which Guardians players will take home Gold Glove Awards on Sunday? (Podcast)

On Friday’s podcast, Paul Hoynes and Joe Noga look at which players should expect to hear their names called and why Ramírez has perhaps his best chance ever at winning his first.

Joe Noga 0:05 Welcome back to the Cleveland Baseball Talk podcast. I’m Joe noga. Joined by Paul Hoynes. Hoynes. We got word yesterday that the Guardians bench coach Craig Alvarez will be back with the club next season after it was reported by Jeff passing of ESPN that Albernez took his name out of the running for the Marlins managerial position, you know? 24 hours ago it looked like Albernaz was a lock for the job. With his connections to the front office there and and really just with Will Venable being named the the manager. In in in Chicago with the White Sox, those were the the two hot names in terms of coaching candidates, but now? Albernaz reportedly going back to Cleveland, staying in Cleveland for for year 2. Even vote, and it’s gotta be a relief for a vote. Who? Who told us? You know, once the Guardians clinch the play offs that he couldn’t have done it without albernaz by his side. What’s your take on albernaz being not the man in Miami?

Paul Hoynes 1:19 I’m sure Steven boat is happy. I’m sure Cleveland is happy. You know, keeps at continuity and the coaching staff, especially after losing hitting coach Chris Valenka to the Reds and Terry Francona. So you know this is a good move. I think I’m not sure why Albernaz did it. Perhaps he you know, he didn’t feel he was ready to manage. Maybe he didn’t like the situation in the with the Marlins. Who knows. Maybe he felt he needed a little more experience and there’s no, you know, no better experience to become a manager than being the bench coach. You’re sitting right next to the manager at his elbow for 162 games. And you’re going to learn something. Definitely every day.

Joe Noga 2:10 And that that’s a possibility that, you know, he wanted to get that experience too, but but also just maybe like you said, the situation not being ideal for him and and maybe there’s an opportunity somewhere else that that could come up next year. And and that he likes better. Or maybe a family situation better for him and his family in terms of the opportunity. Bunch of different reasons why it could be that he decided not to not to take to take the job. We don’t know if he was, if he was even offered the job. But really? But it had been reported that he was among the finalists for that Miami position. Which as of right now still left unfilled. Clayton McCullough, the first base coach from the Dodgers now that their season is done, he looks to be another guy. Another top candidate for that position. But we have not heard yet where. Where Miami is leaning, you would think within the next few days. Here we’ll find out. Going to get that job? As far as Alburnez goes though, pretty confident and vote was pretty confident it back in September, saying that, you know, this guy is going to be a Major League manager at some point. So you know, maybe this is just a second year on the bench and then he jumps back into the the pool for the next managerial cycle?

Paul Hoynes 3:40 Oh yeah, I don’t think this hurts his chances of becoming a manager, if that’s what he wants to do, and I’m sure that’s, you know, that has to be one of his goals he’s had. You know, he interviewed for the Cleveland job. He’s interviewed for the Marlins job. He was, you know, candidate with with the White Sox. So this is an ongoing process and like you said, Joe, who knows what what the reason was that he may. You know, taken his name out of consideration. You know, family. Perhaps you want? You just wanted. You like the environment in Cleveland? Who knows? Cleveland May gave him a raise to have him stay here because I think he’s an important part of the of the Guardians coaching staff and obviously. He gets along with both, so you know that’s important to have that relationship between the manager and the bench coach.

Joe Noga 4:37 As far as Venable goes, he had been sort of in a similar position to where Albernaz is now over the last couple of seasons, where his name had come up in in managerial searches for for the Mets, for example, for other positions. Where he was a candidate and he had taken his name out of consideration. You know, almost felt like he was being a little selective at the time. But now Venable taking over the White Sox and. That is definitely a spot that might not seem very enviable at this point, with all that’s going on in that organization, Will Venable will be seeing a lot of him as as Cleveland faces the White Sox in the years to come. But you know, he’s got a lot of work to do there on the South side of Chicago.

Paul Hoynes 5:28 Oh, definitely. Joe. In his press conference. Introductory press conference as as the White Sox new manager. He said he likes challenges. Well, he’s got a challenge on his hand 121 loss season. The White Sox are coming off of they set the Major League, the modern day Major League record for defeats. And anyone who saw that ballclub play last year. Realizes why? Yesterday, they what? They 910. They did not pick up Joanne Mancatas option. Who was, you know, supposed to be the franchise saver when they got him from Boston? So you know, there’s that team is in for a lot of changes. The one good thing, Joe is it sounds like Grady Sizemore, you know who was the interim manager steered them, you know through the last few games of that season. It looks like he’s going to get some consideration to bring him back to join the coaching staff. I hope that works out for Grady.

Joe Noga 6:34 Yeah, and, and Grady sighs more, you know, probably did himself a favor by taking on that. That sort of tough role as the interim manager in Chicago, if he ever has aspirations of managing or or advancing in the the coaching ranks, you know in Chicago or elsewhere, you know people. People saw that it was a job that sort of nobody wanted, and he he took over and and and did that. So hopefully he sticks. On Venable staff, or finds a job elsewhere as a bench coach, or, you know, a major part of somebody’s a Major League staff. As far as the MLB calendar dates are set now, now that the World Series is officially over, all of the the major upcoming you know dates. For free agency for roster, you know, setting your rosters and. Tendering contracts to your players. Those are all sort of set now. Big the big day upcoming would be November 4th. Where free agency opens and is official, free agents are going to be able to sign with any team. Right now we’re in that five day window of the teams can only negotiate with the the free agents that were on their roster this year. And you know, contract options, all those things need to be picked up. By 4:00 on November 4th. And players from the 60 day injured list must be reinstated to the 40 man roster by that time as well. We get the the qualifying offers. None of that applies to really any Guardians players. We’re not thinking there. There isn’t anybody on that free agent list who is going to garner a a qualifying offer. At least that’s the indication that we get from Chris Antonetti in the front office, but. But you never know. And then for free agency gets underway. Obviously the biggest name, the hottest name out there. Is Juan Soto on the heels of his tremendous season with the Yankees and his great playoff run that he had mostly at the expense of the guardians? But Juan Soto expected to draw a, you know, top dollar and you know, it could be a record-breaking contract for. For Juan Soto. Be hearing about the teams that are interested in monsoon.

Paul Hoynes 9:11 I Joe uh, this is not gonna surprise you, believe me. You know, teams can talk. You know, express interest in free, you know, outside teams can express entrance in certain free agents during this five day period and 11 teams, according to John Heyman from the New York Post, have already checked in on Soto and the talk is that he’s looking for a 7.

Joe Noga 9:26 Mm hmm.

Paul Hoynes 9:39 $100 million contract, Joe. I remember of the the the Nationals offered him a $400 million contract. He turned that down. They traded him to San Diego and then he ended up in, in with the Yankees for this season. And so it it looks like it was a smart move on his his part. And Joe, I just. Like you said, he did so much damage against the guardians in the ALCS. He had 368, seven for 19, three home runs, six Rbi’s, five runs in five games, and I still wondering how he hit that pitch from Hunter Gaddis in game five in in. Extra innings for that home run. I’d I’d watch it again and again. The pitch was above the strike zone and he just hammered that pitch.

Joe Noga 10:32 Yeah, it’s he’s a a special players and special players like him do what he did against Hunter Gaddis Gaddis again, was he was tremendous all year long and doing exactly what he had done there in that in that spot, throwing that high fastball and blowing it by people. And and Soto was ready, and he hit that ball as far as $700 million as far as. 11 teams checking out. We can be pretty positive and pretty sure that the guardians were not one of the teams checking in on them. In fact, we we, we joked with Aunt and Chernoff.

Paul Hoynes 11:06 Ha.

Joe Noga 11:10 I believe Tom Withers made the joke in our meeting with him with them after the season ended that that we should pretty much cross Juan Soto off the wish list. But. They they chirp back and they, they joke back, you know? Hey, anything’s possible, but not likely at $700 million.

Paul Hoynes 11:29 No, Joe, I do not think they’re gonna, you know, dive into that into the pool.

Joe Noga 11:34 As far as who will dive into the into that pool, though, you’re looking at possibly a bidding war between 2 New York teams for Soto services as the the Yankees and the very deep pocketed Mets are are rumored to be the two teams in in most in CONT. For his services. What do we think of the possibility of Soto just taking a a subway across the across the city to to, to Queens?

Paul Hoynes 12:04 Yeah, I think that’s a real possibility. Joe Steve Cohen got a taste of the postseason this year. The Mets made a great run. A deep run, and I think if if he feels that’s they need Soto. The Yankees are going to have a bidding war on their hands. Because if you’re the Yankees, you know you cannot let this guy get away. I mean, he meant so much to this ball club, so much to to a Giancarlo Stanton and and Aaron Judge. I mean, that was such a tough lineup to work through and this is a guy that not only hits home runs. Joey hits. He walks. I think he led the league in walks or he had an unbelievable amount of walks.

Joe Noga 12:46 His aunt. He’s on base percentage. He’s on base percentage is just among, always among the league leaders.

Paul Hoynes 12:52 Yeah, I mean, this is a guy that you cannot let go if you’re the Yankees and you have the wherewithal to keep him.

Joe Noga 12:59 Yeah, and. And that’s The thing is, there’s always going to be a a higher dollar amount coming from the Mets just because Cohen can can dig deep like that and and and spend that kind of money. But you know is is this the kind of contract that? Could could put the the Yankees in a tough position if they want to keep Garrett Cole, they’re going to have to add, you know, $36 million to his contract to to to keep him from opting out if they want. If they want to do that. You’re talking about several. You know, key players on that on that roster making excessive amounts including Stanton and judge. Should be. Should be tougher for the Yankees to keep him than it would be for the for the Mets to bring him over.

Paul Hoynes 13:48 Yeah, the Mets. You know the Mets. You know, I think a couple years ago the Mets learned a tough lesson when they when they bought everybody and it didn’t work. You know, they had to pare down their their payroll, so to speak, a little bit at least. This past couple years. You know, but boy, I I I think it’s going to be. It’s going to be a. It’s going to be a really interesting winter in the bidding between those two teams and and don’t look, don’t don’t count the Dodgers out either. They’ve been on every bit, you know, big Major League free agent or big free agent that’s hit the market and who wouldn’t want to go to LA and play with that lineup as well?

Joe Noga 14:30 Yeah, that’s that. That’s another interesting point and and where he could play in that lineup and where he could hit in that lineup, you know, behind Shohei Otani and, you know, it could be interesting. To as a choice for Soto, but I think the the the best likelihood is that he stays on the East Coast and and stays in New York. One of those two teams. I can’t see the Dodgers adding another $700 million contract to their payroll with. Even if it has deferred money like like Ohtani’s, it’d still be tough. Tough thing to do. Alright, I want to remind our listeners. Guarding subtext is the best way to get updates about the guardians throughout the offseason sent directly to your phone. Text back and forth with me and Hoynes all throughout free agency and awards season. Go to cleveland.com/subtext or send a text message to 2/1. 62084346 it’s 399 a month. We’d love to hear from you. Major League Baseball trade rumors website came out with their top trade candidates list, and to no one’s surprise, Josh Naylor, one of the top candidates for for trade on that list. He checks in at #8 on their list of, you know, biggest trade candidates for the off season. Kind of a surprise. They listed lane Thomas also on that list and kind of a surprise that they did not list Emmanuel Clase a as a trade candidate. As his name was bounced around last offseason for the Guardians as a trade candidate. Out of Thomas or Josh Naylor, Hornsey. Which one do you think has the the best chance of getting traded this offseason for the Guardians?

Paul Hoynes 16:24 But I would definitely say Naylor. You know, he’s he’s what expected to make around 12 million in arbitration. You know, Lane Thomas is right around 8 million. So I think you’ve got, you know, you know what? I just think Naylor. Obviously. You know, he’s one year away from free agency. I think Thomas is just about the same. What I think he’s he’s eligible in 2000. Maybe. Maybe they’ve got one year of control over both guys.

Joe Noga 16:53 Mm hmm.

Paul Hoynes 16:56 But maybe I’m not sure. Yeah, I should check that, but.

Joe Noga 16:58 No, I think. I I think they’re both in their final year of arbitration. So yeah.

Paul Hoynes 17:02 OK. Yeah, and but I think you know Thomas is is less expensive. He can play, you know, different positions. Naylor’s you know, basically, first baseman DH. And you know, I just think Naylor has probably the higher you could probably get a higher return now. He had to, you know, break out season this year. Thirty home runs, 100 Rbi’s, you know, he posted every game. He didn’t spend any time on the IL, you know, interesting guy, I think. I think you know deep down, I think he’s gonna. He’ll he’ll spend his last year in Cleveland. I don’t think they’re gonna trade him, but you know, he he is. He definitely is out there. I would think teams are gonna call on him because teams call on on teams best players.

Joe Noga 17:49 Yeah, that that happens. And I I see that it’s just a matter of what our Chris Antonetti and and Mike Chernowff willing to. You know, able to get in, in return if they’re willing to part with Naylor at some point before the season. Like like you, I think he’s at least going to begin the the season on the roster and you know, maybe by by the end of June or the end of July, you know, we we see where things stand in terms of the team and and whether or not. There, in a position to trade him. All right this Sunday. With calendar being set, one of the first awards dates on the list is the Gold Glove announcements always. Has been a good time for the the Guardians over the last several years. They’ve got a couple of guys who have won consecutive gold gloves. I think Stephen Kwan and Andre Jimenez have both won two each. Both of them are finalists again among the four finalists for Cle. Rookie Brian Rocchio at shortstop. There’s also a finalist as well as Jose Ramirez in line, and has probably a pretty good chance to take home his first career Gold Glove at third base. What do you what do you like about Jose’s chances of finally coming up with a Gold Glove award?

Paul Hoynes 19:13 Joe, I think you know this was probably one of his best defensive years. I thought he moved around really well. I thought he dropped some weight and that helped him really defensively. Great arm and a great reactions at third base. I think he’s really a strong candidate to finally win this award.

Joe Noga 19:34 Yeah. When I look at just with the eye test on Jose’s season, defensively, just purely defensively, I I think. Yeah, like you said, he moved around real well. But he he never looked rushed or or hurried, or, you know, out of position for a play. He’s he’s so natural over there at third base now. After you know years of of playing in that spot. That it it almost seems like nothing surprises him. And he always gets the ball where it needs to be when it needs to be there. So yeah, I I think if this is the if there was ever a year that Jose was gonna win a Gold Glove, I think it it could be this year it might be this year. I like the way he went back on pop flies behind third base. I really admire just the way he moved in that regard. Helped out cuz Steven Kwan maybe likes to play a little deep in in left field and he’s he’s always making that running catch towards the line. Look easy and it’s it’s really not an easy play, something that Jose is really become an expert at.

Paul Hoynes 20:46 And he comes in on the ball really well too. Joe, you can make that bare hand play on the slow rollers down the third baseline like you said. You know, he’s really comfortable at third base. He reminds me of kind of Omar Vasquez at at when Omar was at his peak. You know, it was like he never saw a play that that caught him off guard.

Joe Noga 21:09 Yeah, that’s a good way to assess it. All right, before we get going, we got word that a former or a, you know, a a Ford C Frick Award winner that recognizes the outstanding broadcaster in baseball every year. Bob Costas is is stepping away from doing play by play. A lot of us who who watched the the. Cleveland teams in the late 90s go through the playoffs. Have a lot of memories of Bob Costas calling a lot of those games, watching them on TV. Obviously Hindsie you were there in the press box. You didn’t necessarily get to hear a lot of those calls because you were there watching those games, but Bob Costas is a voice that a lot of us from the the mid to late 90s associate with those, those great Indians team’s runs into the postseason. He’s Ste. Away from doing play by play among most recently he had done. Some work for for TBS calling. The American League playoffs the last several years and the last couple of years I, you know, it was it was kind of weird having having him broadcast. You know, Guardians versus Yankees, because you know he’s a New York guy. You know, he’s a a A guy who, you know, wants to see the Yankees succeed. And you started to be able to hear that come through in a little bit of his play calling so. You know, probably. You know, you know a good thing for for Kostas to. To sort of step back and you know, as far as his his play by play calling duties and you know, maybe he’ll jump in and do a game of the week here or there down the line. But you know he’s he’s had a really good run as one. Of the top play by play guys in in all of baseball.

Paul Hoynes 23:00 Past Joe. What a career this guy has had. I don’t. You know he’s done Olympics, he’s done everything. Just a great career. I don’t know if he’s. I don’t think he’s going to retire, retire, maybe just from play by play in baseball, but he’s.

Joe Noga 23:14 Yeah, he’s he’s just stepping back from play by play. Yeah.

Paul Hoynes 23:17 And he’s Ford Freck winner. He’s in the Hall of Fame, you know, he’s done it all. Just, you know, just I really like him. You know, he’s one of those guys, Joe. He’s kind of old school when he would do, when he would do the Guardians games or the Indians games. You know, he would call the beat writers and just to to check out if what his information, if it’s information was right, you know, he’s very detailed. Very organized. Just he did it right, Joe.

Joe Noga 23:49 And you could tell in those those broadcasts from the the late 90s when you when you would do the the Indians games that he he had all those stories and all those behind the scenes sort of looks that you can only get by by talking to the guys. Were around the team every day and it’s, you know, a classic. You know, when you think of those those games, that’s, that’s the voice that you hear sort of in the back of your head. All right, hoynse, that’s going to wrap up today’s edition of the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast. We’ll be back with you on Monday to talk about. Who took home gold gloves and and what the rest of the the week’s gonna look like there as the offseason gets underway, we’ll talk to you then.