Antonetti and Chernoff: Grading the Cleveland Guardians front office at season’s midway point

Overall

The 2023 season performance of the Antonetti-Chernoff front office has to date been ordinary, maybe a bit less. In the AL Central, however, that puts you in contention.

Here’s the first-half report card on the Guardians front office. Note that grades for players departing the organization are based on the reverse of those players’ WAAs with their new teams.

Mode                    WAA               Grade

Acquired                0.0                        C

Traded                    0.0                        C

Signed                  -2.8                       D

FA Lost                 -1.3                       B

Rookies                -0.4                       C

Overall                 -1.9                       D

In their effort to improve the Guardians for 2023, Antonetti and Chernoff have made 27 personnel moves, 14 of them working out in Cleveland’s favor and 11 going against the Guardians; two have been neutral.

Since that’s a positive ratio yet the overall rating is negative, it’s obvious that the most consequential moves have been on the negative side.

That includes the decision to sign free agents Mike Zunino and Cam Gallagher to split catching duties and the callup of reserve infielder Gabriel Arias, who has found himself overmatched.

Despite that glum-sounding summary, Antonetti and Chernoff still have their team very much in the fight. Their story, and Cleveland’s, will be told by what they do from here on out, and particularly at the trade deadline.