The Cleveland Guardians are preparing for what should be an eventful offseason following a 76-win season in 2022-2023 that wasn't up to franchise ideals. The Guardians finished ninth in Major League Baseball in pitching even with a forgettable season by 2021-2022 key contributor Zach Plesac. It wasn't enough to make the playoffs.

Guardians manager Terry Francona called it quits after the season and now there are four leading candidates to replace him. Francona led the team to six playoff appearances including a World Series in 2016.

Cleveland players most to blame for the team's frustrating season were named including Emmanuel Clase and Cal Quantrill.

One player the team counted on last season was Plesac, whose uncle is 18-year Major League Baseball veteran pitcher Dan Plesac. Zach Plesac pitched in just five games this past regular season, compared to 25 the previous season. With an ERA of 7.59, Plesac had a rough, albeit shortened, season on the mound for Francona's team.

The Guardians starter was designated for assignment on June 4 to make room on the team's 40-man roster for Triston McKenzie, a month after he was optioned to Class AAA Columbus.

Article Continues Below
Related Cleveland Guardians News
guardians, emmanuel clase
1 player Cleveland Guardians must trade before 2025 deadlineGarrett Kerman ·
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) stands in the dugout in the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field.
Dodgers’ Dave Roberts reveals what went wrong in 7-4 loss to GuardiansZachary Howell ·
Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) hits a solo home run in the eighth inning of the MLB game between Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Friday, May 16, 2025.
Jose Ramirez’s offensive dominance gets truth bomb from Guardians All-Star teammateRexwell Villas ·
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Shane Bieber is introduced before the home opening game between the Guardians and the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field.
Guardians’ Shane Bieber set for massive step toward injury returnJason Patt ·
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) walks off the field against the Boston Red Sox in the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park.
Tarik Skubal earns ‘best pitcher’ claim from Guardians’ Stephen VogtScotty White ·
Detroit Tigers pitcher Casey Mize throws against the New York Yankees during the fifth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, April 7, 2025.
Tigers get rotation boost with latest roster movesZachary Howell ·

This past Friday, Plesac decided that he will be continuing his baseball journey elsewhere. The former 12th-round draft pick out of Ball State filed for free agency, which likely signals the end of his career with the Guardians.

Plesac had a 4.31 ERA in 2021-2022 but won just three games while losing 12.

As Cleveland prepares to move on, former big league outfield Will Venable is the odds-on favorite to replace Francona as Cleveland's skipper. Venable is also seen as a front-runner for the San Francisco Giants' open managerial position.