Jensen Lewis fires up Hall of Fame Luncheon Club with forecast for 2023 Guardians

CANTON TWP. − Jensen Lewis completely understands the magic of Cleveland flirting with its first baseball world championship since 1948.

He was a kid wearing an Omar Vizquel jersey when the team reached World Series in 1995 and 1997.

He pitched two innings at delirious Jacobs Field when Cleveland took a three-games-to-one lead over Terry Francona's Red Sox in the 2007 ALCS.

Now, at 38, he works an "older kid's" dream job, TV analyst for a team whose 2023 season arrives on the heels of an ahead-of-schedule 2022.

Right out of the gate Monday at the Hall of Fame Luncheon Club, Lewis brought music to the ears of an energized crowd at Tozzi's on 12th.

"Enough about me," he said after covering personal history. "You want to hear about our team, and let me tell you, our team is damn good."

Here are nine topics covered by Lewis.

Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose. Guardians' prospects start with Ramirez

Third baseman Jose Ramirez signed a five-year, $124 million contract extension last April 6. Then he led the league in doubles, was No. 2 in extra-base hits and RBIs, and was top 10 in slugging percentage and runs.

Lewis: "Signing Jose was the turning point for all of last year. It may end up being the turning point for the whole franchise. That guy could have gotten $250-300 million on the open market.

"He said, 'I love it here. I want to build here. I want to win a title here.' There was no better endorsement for 'you all need to be here.'

"He played through a hand injury, which was hard. It appears he's 100% now."

Cleveland Guardians roster construction:Team plans to carry 3 catchers to begin 2023 season; Opening Day pitching staff set

Terry Francona pushing for World Series win

Lewis thought he would be drafted by Boston after he worked out for Francona's Red Sox in 2005. Instead he went to Cleveland in Round 3.

Now Francona has worked longer in Cleveland (845-671 record since 2013) than he did in Boston (744-552 from 2004-11).

Lewis: "I'm not sure how much longer Terry can do it. If he's upright, he's going to live at the park. He's going to do everything he can to get this team a world championship.

"He's a Hall of Fame manager."

Guardians defend American League Central championship

The 2022 Guardians went 92-70 and won their division by 11 games over the White Sox.

Lewis: "It's different this year. They're the hunted, not the hunters. Trust me when I tell you, after going to the ALCS in 2007, we got everyone's best bullet in 2008, every night.

"I am bullish on the overall offensive production compared to the last couple of years.

"Our pitching staff is as good as you can get in the American League. Shane Bieber had 11 strikeouts in his final spring tuneup. The boy is looking really good. Emmanuel Clase is as fearsome a closer as there is."

Lewis spoke earlier Monday before the Guardians announced starter Triston McKenzie could miss eight weeks with an injury.

More Cleveland Guardians:The top 3 factors to determine whether Cleveland Guardians win or lose AL Central in 2023

Don't call Jensen Lewis a former Guardian

The franchise enters its second season as the Guardians. An audience member asked Lewis about the 2022 name change.

Lewis: "I was a Cleveland Indian. That's who I'll always be. I'm never going to be 'a former Cleveland Guardians pitcher.' I'm a former Cleveland Indians pitcher.

"I enjoyed being a Cleveland Indian. That's all I ever wanted to be. Now I cover the team as the Cleveland Guardians.

"If you come out to the parade when we win a championship as the Cleveland Guardians, to me it wouldn't be any different than if the Cleveland Spiders was the name of the team."

Catcher Mike Zunino is a bridge to Bo Naylor

Zunino, 32, hit a career-best 33 home runs for the Rays in 2021 before injuries limited him to 36 games in '22.

Lewis: "Zunino struggled a little with the bat in spring training. I think he's going to be great behind the plate. I think we'll get that offense we've really been lacking from the catching position."

Former first-round pick Bo Naylor, 23, will catch in the minors, for now.

Lewis: "It's not a matter of if but when for him. Zunino only got a one-year deal."

Guardians open with uncertain TV situation

Lewis enters his 11th season as a TV analyst. Diamond Sports Group, which controls regional telecasts on the Bally Sports Great Lakes Network, has filed for bankruptcy. Those holding subscription packages with Spectrum, Direct TV and Fubo reportedly will receive telecasts in the near term.

Lewis: "We know as much as you do. All I can tell you is, Thursday night at 9:30, turn that dial to Bally Sports Great Lakes. Al (Pawlowski) and I will be with you (for a pregame show before the opener at Seattle).

"Until anything is decided, keep tuning in to Bally Sports Great Lakes. We'll be there."

Super prospect Danny Espino still one to watch

Danny Espino, 22, was shut down after four starts for Akron last April. In those, the 6-foot-2 righty struck out 35 in 18 1/3 innings.

Lewis: "If Danny can be healthy, man! He's ahead in his rehab. He throws upwards of 102. At Akron before his injury, it felt like watching Bartolo Colon when he was coming up."

Was Josh Naylor's 'Rock the Baby' stunt a mistake?

The Guardians' bid to beat the Yankees in a 2022 playoff series was still alive when Josh Naylor did a home run trot viewed by some as funny and by others as foolish.

Lewis didn't mind it.

"Everyone's been screaming for more personality from guys," Lewis said. "That's just Josh. He's trying to fire up his club. It's hard enough when the whole league and everyone else is against you, going into New York.

"By the way, we could have played in the 'delayed/canceled' game. We should have played."

More Josh Naylor:Guardians' Naylor says his 'Rock the baby' celebration wasn't aimed at Yankees' Gerrit Cole

Josh Bell brings muscle to 2023 lineup

The Guardians signed slugger Josh Bell to a two-year, $33 million deal. As a Pirate in 2019, he hit a ball out of PNC Park directly into the Allegheny River.

"You guys are really going to love Josh Bell. He is huge. In football terms, he's that 'notice-him-getting-off-the-bus' guy. Having him and Oscar Gonzalez together is going to be nice."

Reach Steve at steve.doerschuk@cantonrep.com

On Twitter: @sdoerschukREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Jensen Lewis' 9 takes on Terry Francona's Cleveland Guardians