Inbox: How will Cleveland solve middle-infield puzzle?

CLEVELAND -- What better way to celebrate the holidays than opening a Guardians Inbox?

Let’s take a look at some of your questions:

What is your grade on the Guardians offseason? Also, do you see a trade that could include Will Benson? He doesn’t seem to fit with the direction of the team moving forward. Thanks! -- @BrianLSnyder216

I’d go with a B-minus for their grade so far. The team said it had financial flexibility and was ready to build on the foundation it set this past season, and it has backed that statement thus far, aggressively trying to pursue José Abreu before locking up Josh Bell. And the club ventured outside of Austin Hedges to fill its void behind the plate, though Mike Zunino will be a question mark until he proves he’s moved past the thoracic outlet surgery that caused him to miss nearly all of 2022.

Maybe catchers like Sean Murphy or another catcher (Alejandro Kirk) could have been a better bat than Zunino will be, but the one-year deal for a more veteran player makes sense for a team that believes prospect Bo Naylor is the future. For that reason, I think it’s a solid move to bridge that gap for 2023.

A B-minus represents the pleasant surprise of the initiative from the front office after a quiet couple of winters. If no other moves were made, the roster would be in decent shape. But there’s room left to prove that the Guardians are all in on 2023. If Cleveland adds a starting pitcher, bullpen help and/or another bat, or locks up a critical player to an extension, that grade will certainly go up.

As far as a Benson trade, he’s one of a handful of names that seem to be fighting off this roster crunch. He could be a name brought up in a trade package, but the Guardians’ focus in that scenario could be on their plethora of middle infielders. Let’s dig more into this.

What is the plan with the middle infielders and who is the most likely to get a chance somewhere? -- @mlbeuphoria

This is quite the puzzle.

Gabriel Arias, Juan Brito, Tyler Freeman, Andrés Giménez, Brayan Rocchio, Amed Rosario and Jose Tena are all on the 40-man roster. Brito is still some ways away from the Majors and Tena will need some time in Triple-A, but Rocchio is nearly big league ready and the rest of the group has already been in the Majors. There are so many players for just two or three (counting a utility guy) positions that it still seems inevitable a trade will be made.

For now, Giménez will be at second. Assuming Rosario is still in the picture, as good friend José Ramírez will certainly insist upon, expect him to be at short. The best guess would be Arias and Freeman helping out in utility roles to start the year, but this could all get shuffled around as we get closer to Opening Day.

What are the chances that the Guardians will add another starting pitcher to the staff this offseason, and would it be a LHP? Would that mean some pitcher other than Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie and Cal Quantrill could be traded? -- @PastorJNorris

I still think adding a starting pitcher is a possibility this offseason, but this is purely speculation. The Guardians crave starting pitching depth, and because their top prospects are still another year or two away from being big league ready, it would make sense to look externally to bolster their rotation. Like you said, I don’t see Bieber, McKenzie or Quantrill going anywhere, but a Zach Plesac trade would not surprise me.

What are the chances we go after an outfielder before Opening Day? Rather it be a platoon piece or everyday player? -- @brentroughton

The Guardians rarely give straightforward answers when it comes to looking toward the roster makeup for next season’s team, but manager Terry Francona said days after the 2022 season ended that he thinks they’re “in pretty good shape” when it comes to their outfield.

Steven Kwan will be a permanent fixture in left field, and the team is ready to give Myles Straw a second chance to bounce back offensively in center. Oscar Gonzalez has earned the right to get first crack at being the everyday right fielder. For once, it’s not a main priority to add more outfielders. They have depth pieces in Will Brennan, Benson and George Valera. There had been rumors about some interest in Michael Brantley before the outfielder re-signed with the Astros (which would have made sense from a leadership perspective), but it might be difficult to find places for all of these players, especially with Valera’s impending debut.

What do you think the ban of the shift will do to the Guards hitters and defense? -- @KatsarasRich

It’s hard to imagine José Ramírez won’t benefit tremendously from limited defensive shifts against him. And I think this will be the time we see just how valuable Giménez’s Gold Glove defense is at second base.