Tale of the Tape Breakdown: Playoff Contenders, Mariners vs Guardians

A few years ago, an article series like this would have seemed like a waste of time. Before 2022, comparing the Seattle Mariners to anyone other than the worst teams in baseball was a waste of time. Now? Now things are different. In part 6 of an 8 part series, I'm going to take a look at the teams that could potentially stand in the Mariners way of not only making the postseason but winning the American League.

Today, we'll take a look at the 3rd ranked team among my Tale of the Tape threats, the Cleveland Guardians. Other than the Seattle Mariners incredible 2022 season, there may not have been a better story in the American League than that in Cleveland.

Heading into the season, there were questions about whether Terry Francona would continue to manage after health concerns, and there was the debate about whether they should trade Jose Ramirez. Instead of folding, Francona performed a masterclass in managing a young team, and a newly extended Jose Ramirez carried the load offensively. 

A dominant pitching performance, carried by former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber, future Cy Young  contender Triston McKenzie, and one of the best bullpens in the game, the Guardians rolled through a weak AL Central. A 92 win season, an AL Central pennant, and within a game of making the ALCS, the Guardians are the biggest threats to the Mariners in terms of joining the two big dogs in the American League.

Mariners vs Guardians: Cleveland's Offseason Summary

Heading into the offseason, the Guardians were able to have a successful season, but had their most glaring weakness exposed in October. With the second-lowest team home run total and zero players getting to the 30-homer mark, they simply couldn't keep up in a 5 game series with the New York Yankees.

There were only two moves made this offseason in Cleveland, but they were big ones. The Guardians signed 1B/DH Josh Bell, as well as former Mariner catcher Mike Zunino. Josh Bell is a solid power bat, but is an excellent switch hitter, averaging 131 OPS+ in his past three full seasons (82 OPS+ in the 2020 Covid season). Bell is exactly the kind of player that I had as a target for the Mariners in free agency. His playoff experience, his versatility, and his ability to take some pressure off of Ty France at 1st base would have been huge. 

The signing of Mike Zunino could also be an extremely underrated one. In 2021, Zunino smacked 33 home runs in 109 games for the 100-win Tampa Bay Rays. Last season, Zunino only played in a handful of games before having season-ending surgery. I was surprised to see Zunino leave Florida, but Cleveland is a fantastic landing spot for him to bounce back.

It's possible Cleveland will see a sizable jump in power to their offense. This could be really bad news for not just teams in the AL Central, but the entire American League.