Guardians glad Bryan Shaw can share in playoff journey, experience

CLEVELAND — The Guardians had to have a difficult discussion with one of the few true veterans in the clubhouse.

Only days before they were set to take on the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Wild Card Series, which the Guardians swept 2-0 to advance to the ALDS against the New York Yankees, manager Terry Francona, President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti and General mManager Mike Chernoff sat down with reliever Bryan Shaw. It wasn't good news. They needed to get Bo Naylor and Will Brennan on the playoff roster.

It meant that Shaw would need to be designated for assignment only a few days before the rest of the Guardians would get the chance to play in the postseason. It certainly wasn't what he wanted to hear, but by all accounts, Shaw took the news in stride. Francona said last week that Shaw probably took the meeting better than he and the Guardians front office did considering what the veteran reliever has meant to the team, both on the field and in the clubhouse.

"I give Chris and Cherny a lot of credit, too. They were in here and they said, 'Hey man, we know this isn't what you wanted. We want to be respectful,'" Francona said. "They worked it out. There was some move … where he could come back if he wanted. And he did. And we're glad. Shoot, I played him this morning in cribbage. He's got a good influence. I know lot of people don't see that who aren't around. But him and [Anthony] Gose both have been really good for our guys."

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Even after getting some disappointing news, Shaw could be counted on to simply do what was in the best interest of the club. Shaw, who in a four-season stretch between 2014-2017 pitched in more games than anyone else in baseball, has always been able to be counted on to show up and be there. That's why he has been viewed in such a positive light by those in the organization. He's always there when needed, willing to pitch several days in a row to save other relievers' arms from being overused, willing to stick around and help a young team navigate its first playoff run together, anything for which the team has asked.

"Bryan's a phenomenal teammate," Antonetti said. "We had to have a really difficult conversation with him about not making the postseason roster but his immediate reaction was how can I stay around, I want to be part of this, I want to be part of the team and help in any way I can. That's just who Bryan has been throughout his time with us."

Shaw, who now is a possibility to replace injured reliever Nick Sandlin, will be able to stick around regardless. He'll be able to remain a close contact for a pitching staff that now doesn't have anyone over the age of 27. In that way, he's a valuable resource able to offer a veteran perspective.

"He was explaining to them like, 'Hey, playoffs start, that phone rings, it’s different,'" Francona said. "They haven’t been through it. He’s good. He’s good with those guys. Real good. He’s not the type of guy that just overwhelms. If they want to talk, he’s there."

Shaw can effectively act as an advisor in that way. It's something that might have come in handy during their 1-0 win in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series, in which the bullpen had to cover nine scoreless innings. The Guardians wanted to ensure that, if he wanted, he could be a part of whatever happens during this playoff run in October, even if he can't be on the roster. After Saturday's Game 2 win, it meant Shaw could take part in the celebration. Because as the team views it, he's a part of whatever they end up doing.

"Just having that veteran presence that knows how to post up day in and day out, the guys see that," bullpen coach Brian Sweeney said. "I don't even have to teach them about it because Shaw shows them. To have him down there, he belongs down there and I was so excited we could run in and celebrate."

Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Guardians at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/cleveland-guardians. Follow him on Twitter at @ByRyanLewis.

ALDS Game 1

Guardians at Yankees

Time: 7:37 p.m. Tuesday

TV: TBS

Pitchers: Cal Quantrill (15-5, 3.38) vs. Gerrit Cole (13-8, 3.50)

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians 2022 playoffs: Bryan Shaw sticks around after release