Three Guardians Who Need More Playing Time In Final Weeks Of Season

Originally posted on FanNation Cleveland Baseball Insider
By Tommy Wild | Last updated 9/13/23

The Cleveland Guardians aren't mathematically out of the playoff picture yet, but it would take a miracle for them to sneak their way in. It's time for the organization to start giving a few players more opportunities in order to evaluate what the future for them and the team could be.

Tyler Freeman

The Guardians traded Amed Rosario at the deadline primarily to see what their young middle infielders could do. Tyler Freeman was a part of that equation but found himself on the injured list shortly after the deadline passed.

Gabriel Arias took over the full-time shortstop role and has been good in that position. However, we still need to see what Freeman has. He's currently hitting .236 on the season with an OPS of .636 These numbers aren't exactly great but it's hard to give a fair evaluation if a player isn't getting consistent at-bats.

Cleveland seems to have realized that as Freeman received starts in each of their games against the San Francisco Giants.

Will Brennan

There's only one outfielder who is a sure thing next season, that's Steven Kwan. Outside of that, there are a number of questions on who and where each outfielder will be playing.

Out of all the talent the Guardians have, Will Brennan carries the most potential to be a long-term fit alongside Kwan. Brennan should be playing every single day until the end of the season whether that be in right, left, center, or as the team's designated hitter.

The 25-year-old can take this opportunity to establish himself as a mainstay for the future and give Cleveland some more answers about how they should approach the outfield this offseason.

Jose Tena

If the Guardians are going to have Jose Tena up with the Big League club then he needs to get more than one start a week. He was called up on September 1 and has appeared in six games since then, but he can't keep being brought in the game to pinch-hit or a substitute runner roles.

Tena is currently ranked as Cleveland's 14th best prospect and for good reason. He shouldn't fall into a utility piece just yet.

Yes, the infield is jammed, and playing time isn't easy to find. However, Cleveland needs to give Tena the opportunities so the team can plan their future.

This article first appeared on FanNation Cleveland Baseball Insider and was syndicated with permission.

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