Not much is expected by the Guardians on the future market, with little in the way of betting activity. Consider that Cleveland is no longer a serious contender with the baseball betting odds. It’s days as one of baseball’s best teams are over. Following playoff berths were achieved from 2016 through 2018. And then the Guardians made it again in 2020 and 2022. Last year was the second losing season in three years for the Guardians. No value was offered to gamblers. In the weak American League Central, improvement is possible.
2024 Cleveland Guardians
| Cleveland Guardians World Series Championship | Odds |
|---|---|
| 2024 Cleveland Guardians World Series Championship Odds | +6000 |
2024 Cleveland Guardians Manager
Manager Stephen Vogt was a journeyman MLB player for several teams from 2012 through 2022. Now, he is an offshore betting rookie manager. Last year, he was a coach with the Seattle Mariners.
2024 Cleveland Guardians Key Players
Last year, 3B Jose Ramirez produced 87 runs, 36 doubles, 24 home runs, 80 runs batted in, with a .292 average and .831 OPS. Ramirez is a five-time AL All-Star and a four-time AL Silver Slugger.
RHP Shane Bieber is the number one man in the Guardians rotation. Bieber was the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner and is a two-time AL All-Star. Last year, Bieber was 6-6 with a 2.88 earned run average and 1.23 WHIP.
RHPO Emmanuel Clase is the Guardians Closer. Last year, he saved 44 games in 56 opportunities with a record of 3-9, 3.22 ERA, and 1.16 WHIP.
2024 Cleveland Guardians Offseason Moves
Key offseason acquisitions: RHP Scott Barlow, OF Estevan Florial, C Austin Hedges, RHP Ben Lively, 3B Deyvison De Los Santos, RHP Carlos Carrasco (Minor League deal)
Key offseason departures: RHP Cal Quantrill, RHP Enyel De Los Santos, RHP Cody Morris, and OF Oscar Gonzalez
Despite plenty of roster needs and a $96 million payroll that ranks 26th out of 30, the Guardians have been one of the least active teams this offseason.
They made an Enyel De Los Santos-for-Scott Barlow reliever exchange with the Padres. Also, they dealt another reliever, Cody Morris, to the Yankees for former outfield prospect-turned-project Estevan Florial. And there was little else, aside from replacing Hall of Fame manager Terry Francona with Stephen Vogt and winning the draft lottery.
Cleveland dumped Cal Quantrill who was due a raise to $6.5 million via arbitration. So far, at least Shane Bieber remains. They can compete again in the decrepit American League Central without trying much. Still, it’s hard not to fault the Guardians’ approach after a third-place finish in baseball’s worst division.
Having a less active MLB odds offseason than the rival Twins takes a real effort. But that’s life in the mediocre American League Central, where the incentive to improve is moderate.
Cleveland ranks 26th for MLB payroll.
2024 Cleveland Guardians Recap
Overall, in 2023, the Cleveland Guardians had a record of 76-86 and finished 3rd in the American League Central Division. Offensively, Cleveland ranked 27th for runs scored, 13th for batting average, 27th for OPS, 30th for home runs, and 5th for stolen bases. In comparison, defensively, Cleveland ranked 10th for earned run average, 18th for WHIP, 1st for strikeouts, 14th for quality starts, 16th for fewest errors, and 9th for bullpen ERA. Cleveland was -1058 on the moneyline and -1000 on the run line.
Last season, the Guardians were one of the worst values on the board. Gamblers that did get involved with Cleveland did so in opposition, making a nice profit in the process.