CLEVELAND, Ohio — Center field has been open to just about anyone in the Guardians’ organization this year. That includes Gabriel Arias.
If Bally Sports announcer Rick Manning wanted to bring his Gold Glove out of retirement, he probably could get a shot out there as well.
Here’s who has started at least one game in center this year: Tyler Freeman (82 starts), Lane Thomas (22 starts), Angel Martinez (18 starts), Daniel Schneemann (14 starts), Will Brennan and Ramon Laureano (five starts each), Arias (two starts) and Estevan Florial (one start).
Freeman, the clubhouse leader, was optioned to Class AAA Columbus on Saturday and Martinez was recalled.
“Center field has been a spot where Tyler Freeman held it down for a lot of the year,” said manager Stephen Vogt. “Schneemann went out there. Then Martinez. Will Brennan has been out there.
“Now Lane (Thomas) is out there because of the way Jhonkensy Noel and Brennan have played in right field. There are going to be days when Lane is in right field and Schneemann is in center field. There are going be days when Angel plays center and Thomas plays right.”
Then there is Myles Straw, the forgotten man. He is the only outfielder still being paid by the team besides Manning, who played his last game in 1987 and owns a Gold Glove for his play in center field.
Straw was exiled to Class AAA Columbus at the end of spring training. He has not been heard from since. But with so much talk about center fielders before Saturday night’s game, Vogt was asked about Straw.
His answer caused a stir.
“We’ve had conversations about Myles,” said Vogt. “He’s been working really hard on his base stealing. We all know his defense is very, very good, and that’s an understatement. We’ve had conversations and Myles very well could join us up here at some point.”
Not sure if Straw returning from Columbus would be like Napoleon returning to France from Elba, but it would be worth a headline.
Straw is hitting .234 (100 for 427) with 17 doubles, six triples, two homers and 43 RBI in 121 games for the Clippers. He’s scored 58 runs and stolen 29 bases in 30 attempts.
If the Guardians make the postseason, perhaps Straw could help as a defensive replacement or pinch-runner.
One way or another, they probably need to make a decision on him. Straw is still owed $13 million in 2025 and 2026 as part of the five-year $25 million deal he signed in 2022.
