Travis Bazzana, the Cleveland Guardians' top prospect and 10th overall in baseball, is making strides during spring training, focusing on both mental and physical preparation for the MLB. After a somewhat challenging debut season where he batted .238, Bazzana is using this offseason to adapt to the rigors of a full 162-game schedule, contrasting it with the shorter college seasons.

Bazzana emphasizes the importance of maintaining mental health and finding routines that keep him at peak performance. He sees value in learning from big league veterans like Steven Kwan and Andrés Giménez, who contribute to a positive clubhouse atmosphere. While his spring training numbers have been modest, including a notable home run and good defensive work, he remains focused on continuous improvement and being ready for any opportunity that comes his way.

Chase DeLauter's recent surgery for a sports hernia has left the Cleveland Guardians facing a significant challenge heading into the new season. With an expected recovery time of 8 to 12 weeks, DeLauter's absence from the Opening Day roster highlights the Guardians' glaring weakness in their outfield's offensive production. Last year's performance from the outfielders was lackluster, particularly in right field, where the combined slash line of .219/.288/.385 was one of the worst in the AL.

This setback places the Guardians in a precarious position, having to rely on their existing outfielders such as Will Brennan and Jhonkensy Noel, who struggled to deliver adequate offensive contributions last season. The organization could have benefited from securing a free-agent outfielder as insurance, especially given DeLauter's injury history. Now, Cleveland must regroup and find a way to improve their offensive output from a struggling outfield as they prepare for the 2024 season.

The Cleveland Guardians may be poised to change their spending habits as they consider a long-term deal for outfielder Steven Kwan, who had a breakout 2024 season. Typically, the Guardians have been conservative with their finances, often trading away promising players like Josh Naylor instead of locking them down. However, Kwan, who posted a .292 batting average with 14 home runs last season, has ignited discussions around a possible extension.

With Kwan under team control until 2027 and showing elite defensive capabilities alongside his impressive offensive performance, there appears to be a growing sentiment among fans and analysts alike that the Guardians might finally invest in a long-term contract. Cleveland's decision to focus financial resources on player extensions rather than free agency could signal an evolving strategy aimed at retaining homegrown talent.

The AL Central division presents a paradox with teams operating under lower payrolls, yet each vying for postseason glory. The Minnesota Twins are currently viewed as the favorites, driven by key acquisitions like Harrison Bader and Ty France, but face injury concerns with stars Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa. The Tigers, with Tarik Skubal leading a solid rotation, also added Gleyber Torres, yet question their overall offensive depth. Kansas City hopes new additions will improve last year’s struggles, while the Guardians rely heavily on Jose Ramirez’s performance and need pitching help. The Chicago White Sox continue to underperform and face significant challenges ahead of the season.

As fantasy baseball drafts approach, the conversation around closer selections remains contentious. While saves can be a puntable category, they are also readily available on waivers throughout the season. This analysis categorizes potential opening-day closers by average draft position, providing insight into when and how to draft these relievers.

The top tier of closers includes elite talents like Emmanuel Clase and Josh Hader, who possess not only job security but also the skill set to thrive. However, their draft positions might deter some from taking a closer over impactful hitters in earlier rounds. In contrast, the second tier features solid options like Edwin Díaz but still poses the dilemma of sacrificing potential star hitters.

As we move further down the draft board, potential closers can be found in the third tier, where pitchers like Félix Bautista and Jhoan Durán could emerge as valuable assets. The final tiers present various options, but they come with significant risk, often leaving drafters with a choice between safety and the thrill of finding a diamond in the rough. This year, the discussion on how to approach drafting closers remains as vital as ever.