Guardians return after lackluster offseason

It was beautiful, crisp, October day in Cleveland.Where would anyone rather be than at a playoff baseball game?My friend MJ and I went to see the first game of the Guardians/Tigers Division Series. MJ wanted to get to the game early, and we were probably two of the first 500 fans in the ballpark.After we'd taken our seats, MJ noticed that Carlos Baerga was on the field before the game.Baerga was a star for the then-Indians in the mid-90s, a three-time all-star who was among the best-hitting second basemen in the game for a few years.To Cleveland fans, Baerga is an icon.A star acquired in the Joe Carter trade in 1989; the first big trade the Tribe got right in what became a monumental and ultimately very successful rebuild.Now, Baerga is a Spanish language commentator on Guardians radio.When MJ saw him, she decided to get his attention."Carlos!," she screamed. "We love you!"Baerga heard this, stopped and faced us. He smiled, waved and blew us kisses.He was like an emperor coming into the Roman Colosseum, albeit with a somewhat smaller cheering section.It was a beautiful, moving moment.The beginning of a perfect day.The Guardians beat the Tigers that day, and won the series in five games. Cleveland couldn't beat the Yankees for the pennant, but they had their best season in years.Honestly, it had been a long time since I'd felt so good about my baseball team.Man, that seems like a long time ago.That's because the Guardians did more subtracting than adding in the offseason.Thirty-home run hitting first baseman Josh Naylor was shipped to Arizona. Gold Glove second baseman Andres Gimenez was traded to Toronto. Starting pitcher Matthew Boyd – who joined Cleveland after the All-Star break and pitched very well – signed with the Cubs.The 2025 season starts today in Kansas City. But the Guardians still have questions that haven't been answered.Who will be the primary second baseman?Who will play in right field?And where can I watch these games?As I write this, I'm still not sure what channel the games will be on (the Guardians will no longer be on the Bally's Network this season).My issue with Cleveland isn't with any individual move. Naylor was going to be a free agent after this season. Gimenez was a fantastic fielder, but with No. 1 overall pick Travis Bazzana waiting in the wings, he was expendable.I have nothing to add on the television deal, except I wish it was decided earlier.The issue is that the Guardians didn't exactly get better in the offseason. The offense will lean (heavily) on leadoff hitter Steven Kwan and future Hall of Famer Jose Ramirez, and hope, I guess, that the bullpen will be as dominant as it was a season ago. Oh, and Carlos Santana is back for the 19th time, replacing Naylor at first base, So, there's that.When you make it to the American League Championship Series (the Guardians were three wins from the Fall Classic), you'd like to think the team would see it as a time to add to an already impressive roster.Cleveland didn't do that.It's hard to see the Guardians duplicating what they did a season ago.At the very least, they seem to be gambling on a lot of things going right.And after last season, that's depressing.For a team that hasn't won a World Series since Harry Truman was in the Oval Office, it's also frustrating.But it's not like I won't watch, and won't cheer, hoping for more days like that one last October, when Carlos Baerga warmly greeted MJ and me.Actually, Baerga may be a decent option at second base this season.