Forty sentences, many thoughts and one question for each player on the Guardians’ opening day 40-man roster: Starters Tanner Bibee: The new ace with a new contract has earned the title of opening day starter. Can he take the next step and win the Cy Young Award everyone thinks he can win? Gavin Wi lliams: An elbow injury wrecked his 2024 season, but he has been the most impressive pitcher in spring training. Can he translate that into becoming top-of-the-rotation arm the Guardians need to pair with Bibee? Ben Lively: He was Mr. Reliable in 2024 while others struggled. Will he be able to replicate the success on command, guts and pitchability? Luis L. Ortiz: One of the biggest offseason acquisitions aimed at stabilizing the rotation. He’s walked a quarter of the batters he’s faced in Arizona this spring. Can he build on last year’s second-half breakout? Triston McKenzie: Injuries and inconsistency have plagued the 2015 first-round picks for two years, and he is out of options. Is 2025 his last chance in Cleveland to get back on track near his 2022 success? Logan Allen: It looked like he was going to join Bibee and Williams as the next pitching wave in his 2023 debut, but he struggled to throw strikes last year. Will he serve as depth in 2025 or get back to holding down a back of the rotation spot? Joey Cantillo: Highly touted pitching prospect with big-league starter quality stuff made his debut in 2024 but lacks command. Can he have his first fully healthy season since 2019 and find better control to remain a starter? Doug Nikhazy: Made a mechanical change in 2024 to help with his control and impressed coaches in spring training. Will he have enough control and a role to debut in 2025? Bullpen Emmanuel Clase: An historic 2024 for Clase, and the bullpen anchored the pitching staff. Is he past his playoff inconsistencies? Cade Smith: Went from the last guy on the roster in April 2024 to pitching in the highest leverage spots in October. How will the league adjust to Smith’s overwhelming success in 2024 and how will he adjust back? Hunter Gaddis: Was quietly nearly as dominant as Smith in 2024 in his first full season as a reliever. Can he avoid a postseason hangover like the others in the bullpen? Paul Sewald: Struggled with injuries and effectiveness in 2024 after being one of the Diamondbacks’ most reliable relievers on their 2023 World Series team. Is he ready to get back to that to give this team a reliable veteran to go with the young pen? Tim Herrin: Emerged as a much-needed dominant lefty in 2024 after an injury to Sam Hentges. Can he also answer the question of beating postseason hangover? Jakob Junis: Former Royal battled injuries last season but was effective as a starter and reliever when healthy. Can he bridge the gap for Cleveland as Pedro Avila did a year ago? Kolby Allard: 2015 first-rounder who is still looking for some major league consistency. The club has talked him up in spring, so can he serve as a second lefty with Hentges and Erik Sabrowski down? Vince Velazquez: Has had flashes of success in the majors as a starter and a reliever with a big arm. Is this another chance for the Guardians to have success finding a reliever with a big arm on a minor-league deal? The injured Shane Bieber: Chose to come back to Cleveland as a free agent while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Will a second-half return springboard the Guardians into the playoffs and Bieber back into free agency? Erik Sabrwoski: From two-time Tommy John surgery recipient and minor league Rule 5 pick to a reliable postseason reliever. Can he fight off a forearm to come back again? John Means: Former Orioles ace is targeting an August return from Tommy John. Will he and the Guardians find the same success as they did with Matthew Boyd last year? Slade Cecconi: The main return from Arizona in the Josh Naylor trade has a big arm but needs a better fastball shape and is recovering from an oblique strain. Can he break out in the majors and find that better fastball? Trevor Stephan: Key setup man in 2023 missed all of 2024 with Tommy John surgery. How will he look coming back and can he serve as a piece to help with bullpen regression? Chase DeLauter: Results are good when he’s on the field. But he is recovering from yet another injury. How much will he play and can he impact the lineup this year? David Fry: Maybe the most underrated hitter on the team a year ago. After undergoing Tommy John surgery, can he come back and provide offense and value without being able to play the field? Nic Enright: A Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Rule 5 pick survivor who can provide some needed bullpen dept. Will he make his MLB debut now dealing with a lat injury? Franco Aleman: Relief prospect with big-time stuff that could have seen MLB time in 2024, but continues to deal with injuries. Will he recover from his hernia to impact the bullpen finally in 2025? Daniel Espino: Yeah, he still exists and we remember the BIG time arm. But he hasn’t pitched since 2022. Will he even throw in 2025 after a second shoulder surgery? The lineup Steven Kwan: Enjoyed a breakout first half and made the All-Star team before fading big time in the second half. Can he sustain more of his first-half success for a full year? Jose Ramirez: The superstar who chose Cleveland came this close to a 40/40 season and will hit second in the order. Will that move help provide more offense for the Guardians’ order? Lane Thomas: Struggled after being traded to Cleveland but recovered to have a big postseason. Will the 20/20 talent and former All-Star have a big year heading into free agency? Carlos Santana: Chose to come back to Cleveland for a third time and will replace Josh Naylor at first base. Can he fight off father time again at age 39 after a bit of a revival in 2024? Kyle Manzardo: Looked more like the prospect everyone thought in September/October after struggling in his early season look. Is he ready to take the mantle as a middle-of-the order thumper? Will Brennan: Has shown flashes of offense to go with strong defense and speed. Is 2025 his last chance to claim a full-time role and give the Guardians consistent right-field production? Jhonkensy Noel: Hit one of the biggest homers of 2024 for the Guardians but struggles to avoid chasing out of the zone. Can he be more disciplined and tap into more consistent power? Bo Naylor: Showed growth defensively in 2024 but took a big step back offensively. After spending the offseason focused on his bat, is he ready to find that offense again? Austin Hedges: Continues to be counted on by the team as an on-field and clubhouse leader. Can he provide enough defense to offset offense that will probably be overexposed without David Fry around? Gabriel Arias: Has undeniable defensive talent but has yet to find consistency offensively. Will he finally get enough time to find his offense and will this be his last chance? Juan Brito: Had 61 extra-base hits in Triple-A a year ago and could provide more offense at second if given a chance. Is he ready for a big-league opportunity and if he does, will he hear Travis Bazzan’s kangaroo-sized footsteps? Brayan Rocchio: Found some better offense in October after a disappointing regular season. Can he carry that into 2025 and be more consistent in the field? Nolan Jones: Cleveland re-aqcuired their first round pick from 2016 in a trade with Colorado after getting Juan Brito for him. Can he recapture any 2023 success? Will he stay healthy, and what is his role? Daniel Schneemann: 2018 33rd-round pick made his debut as a utility man in 2024. What role will he find for himself in 2025? Angel Martinez: Came back from a broken hammate and sparked the offense briefly in his first callup, but started to fade. What role and success can he find in 2025 as a former well-regarded prospect? Petey Halpin: Perhaps a surprise 40-man addition a year ago but does have good defensive skills, speed and some decent pop. Will he find more offense or continue on the path of a fourth outfielder? Johnathan Rodriguez: Another big-time offensive season in Triple-A in 2024 and made his MLB debut. Can his offense translate to the majors and will he get another chance? ...read more read less