As the Cleveland Guardians begin their Spring Training in Arizona, fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming season and keeping an eye on several important storylines that could shape the team's success. Let's dive into the key areas to watch over the course of February and March.

1. Health of Starting Pitchers: The Guardians' starting rotation will be crucial to their performance, and it's imperative that pitchers like Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie demonstrate their ability to pitch at full strength. Additionally, the progress of young talents Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, and Logan Allen will be closely monitored. The team will also be evaluating the readiness of Ben Lively and Joey Cantillo to contribute as major league starters.

2. Battle for the Starting Shortstop Position: The competition for the starting shortstop role takes center stage this spring. Gabriel Arias seems to be the frontrunner, but Brayan Rocchio and Tyler Freeman will be given opportunities to impress the decision-makers. The Guardians will also evaluate Jose Tena's impressive performances in Columbus, as well as the potential of Angel Martinez and Juan Brito to fill the position.

3. Centerfield Plans: The Guardians will assess their options in centerfield, with questions surrounding Myles Straw's ability to be an everyday player. The team may consider utilizing his skills in a bench role and could turn to newcomers Estevan Florial or Ramon Laureano for the starting position. Tyler Freeman and Angel Martinez are reportedly getting practice time in centerfield, which could put them in contention for playing time.

4. Rightfield Strategies: The team will determine whether to carry four or five outfielders. In a four-outfielder scenario, either Estevan Florial or Ramon Laureano is likely to take on the full-time right field duties, while the other splits time in center with Straw. If the Guardians opt for five outfielders, players like Will Brennan, George Valera, Johnathan Rodriguez, and David Fry could compete for platoon roles. David Fry's versatility across multiple positions adds an intriguing element to his potential role.

5. Managerial Approach of Stephen Vogt: With a new manager in Stephen Vogt, it will be interesting to see the approach he brings to the team. Fans will look for changes in lineups and the handling of media, as well as Vogt's strategies to improve offensive output. As Spring Training progresses, his managerial style and personality will start to emerge.

6. Non-Roster Invitee Impact: Spring Training provides an opportunity for non-roster invitees to prove their worth and potentially secure a spot on the Opening Day roster. Pitchers like Jamie Barria, Tyler Beede, Carlos Carrasco, and Tyler Zuber will be evaluated for their performance and ability to contribute. Additionally, all eyes will be on Kyle Manzardo, who may start in Columbus but could impress the team enough to alter their plans.

7. Deyvison De Los Santos' Role: The selection of 20-year-old Deyvison De Los Santos in the Rule-5 draft raised eyebrows, and fans are curious to see how the Guardians will handle his future. The team will assess his prodigious power and determine if he can contribute to the roster or if a trade or eventual return is in the cards.

As Spring Training progresses, the focus will be on the collective effort, observations from coaches and front office personnel, and the use of analytical tools to make roster decisions. While box scores and traditional statistics may not provide the complete picture, Guardians fans eagerly anticipate the gradual formation of the 2024 roster based on these spring developments.