It’s time for an intervention, Stephen.
First of all, let me clarify that I do not believe the Guardians’ disappointing season so far is primarily your fault. Jose breaking his hamate wasn’t something this roster could sustain. Ownership wanting to have basically zero payroll on the books for 2027 has had a huge impact on a bullpen reeling from the loss of the best closer in baseball. Those things were beyond your control. However… there are still some things I hope you are coming to grips with as a manager.
After the ALCS loss to the Yankees in 2024, you famously said, “Learn the lesson, leave the event.” I can’t quite understand how you’re following your advice in a few areas:
-You try to get the platoon advantage more than any other team in baseball. In itself, the platoon advantage is OF COURSE a good thing. But, if you are slavishly devoted to it, it makes it very easy for other teams to counter. Sometimes, you’ll have to leave a Nate Lowe in to face a lefty in the seventh knowing it might not go well so that Lowe can face a righty in the ninth. Sometimes, you need to let Kyle Manzardo try to find his footing as a big leaguer with 10 straight starts instead of benching him every time a southpaw is in sight. You mentioned him getting consistent in Columbus; not playing everyday makes it hard for anyone to be consistent. Tim Herrin is a bad pitcher this year, Stephen. You have to use him, but don’t look at him as some sort of shutdown pitcher for left-handed hitters. The platoon advantage doesn’t matter if you walk seven guys per nine. The platoon advantage doesn’t matter if you have shown you can’t handle pinch-hitting.
-Unlike many, I am not going to castigate you for using Matt Festa. He has a 3.74 FIP. That’s fine for a middle-reliever. The issue I have is consistently using him in the fireman role. He often enters with runners on and the game in danger of getting out of reach. In games like last night, with the season on the line and only down two runs, I think it would have made more sense to get Collin Holderman that opportunity. Of course, Holderman walked out to the mound with a gas can and torched a winnable game last week, so, who knows? The bullpen issues, again, are mostly on cheap ownership, but you need to take some risks to give your offense a chance to come back right now.
-Rhys Hoskins has a 24 wRC+ in pinch-hitting situations for his career. He has shown he cannot adjust to being put in the game like that. Please stop trying to make it work.
-The issue this team has is making too many outs. For the love of God, please stop allowing/instructing your few competent hitters to sacrifice bunt. Bunting for hits? Fine. Squeeze bunting with someone other than Rhys Hoskins or Austin Hedges on third? Fine. Sac bunting to get a runner to third in the bottom of the 9th or later in tie-game with one out and one of your 6-9 hitters up? Fine. Otherwise, please, for my sanity, stop the madness.
-It’s time to step in and emphasize putting up good at-bats and attacking a pitcher with a game-plan. I don’t know what Grant Fink is doing, but this team has no discernible approach night-in and night-out. Why are they repeatedly swinging at first pitches when pitchers are having severe control problems? Why is every hitter dramatically regressing as the season progresses except for Chase DeLauter? You need to pound the table to demand new hitting coaches across the organization in the offseason.
-Things are bad. Isn’t it time to just play your most competent hitters every night until you can string together some wins? If that means Rhys, Brayan Rocchio and Petey Halpin sit for multiple days in a row, so be it. It’s crisis mode.
-As a player, you were known for singing, skits and being hilarious. Don’t lose that, man. This group needs you to keep them loose and Cleveland fans love a sense of humor. Show it to us!
I don’t think a single Guardians fan wants you to be a failure. I think every single fan wants to see you grow and develop as an in-game strategist. I think everyone knows you’re hamstrung by payroll. But, there are some things you can do to help us improve this year and for the future and I humbly appeal to you to make those hard choices.
