The Cleveland Guardians offseason plate is full.

After ending the 2023 season with a disappointing 76-86, third place finish in the relatively underwhelming American League Central Division, the Guardians front office has their work cut out.

According to Fangraphs, Cleveland finished the season with an estimated $98 million payroll.

Here are the Fangraphs payroll estimates, and their finish in the standings for the teams in the American League Central:

Chicago White Sox-$177 million (4th)

Minnesota Twins-$159 million (1st)

Detroit Tigers-$121 million (2nd)

Cleveland Guardians-$98 million (3rd)

Kansas City Royals-$91 million (5th)

While payroll did not directly correlate to winning in the Central this past season, there is no mistaking the fact that the Twins and Tigers are on the rise.

The White Sox are headed in a new direction, having jettisoned their front office, and introducing a new group of administrators to manage the team’s baseball operations.

Payroll aside, the Guardians front office faces difficult, and potentially franchise impacting decisions this winter.

Here are five issues that require attention and resolution:

With Terry Francona now in retirement, the Guardians front office must find a new manager.

What factors will shape their decision?

Do they want a young, inexperienced voice with baseball knowledge as a coach, and great potential as a leader in the dugout?

Do they want an experienced big league manager looking to take a young club to the next level?

Do they want an experienced minor league manager capable of success at the highest level of the game?

Decision time looms.

It is no secret the Guardians need more run production.

Their 124 home runs were the least in baseball.

The Guardians scored 662 runs. Only the Detroit Tigers (661) Chicago White Sox (641) and Oakland Athletics (585) scored fewer runs.

The most common Guardians outfield of Steven Kwan in left, Myles Straw in center, and Will Brennan in right, hit a total of 11 home runs. Kwan and Brennan each hit five. Straw hit one.

The team felt Oscar Gonzalez could provide power in right field. However, after failing miserably to start the season, Gonzalez was sent to Triple-A Columbus to try to correct his hitting mechanics. Returning late in the year, Gonzalez did not help the offense. He hit two homers the entire year.

Unless they want the same lack of run production, the Guardians simply can’t start a new season with an outfield of Kwan, Straw and Brennan.

Two new regular outfielders are needed to replace Straw and Brennan, both of whom could be good role players coming off the Guardians bench.

Possibly Ramon Laureano, acquired late in the season is an option. But he reminds this writer of Myles Straw, with a bit of a better bat.

Kwan should be a fixture in either left or center.

Amed Rosario started 2023 as the Guardians shortstop.

His lack of range, and his inability to make all but the most routine plays became evident very early.

A free-agent after the World Series concludes, Rosario was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in July.

Now, Cleveland must find a replacement for Rosario. A replacement that can play defense and hit.

Some say that person will be 23-year-old Gabriel Arias.

Arias is a brilliant defender. However, he has not demonstrated the ability to consistently hit big league pitching. Yes, there were hopeful spurts. However, he has not mastered the strike zone, does not recognize pitches well, and struggles with high fastballs.

To this observer, the best Cleveland shortstop on the roster is the team’s Gold Glove second baseman, Andres Gimenez. Gimenez is still only 25.

Gimenez has shown promise as a hitter, and his defense at shortstop would be well above average.

Moving Gimenez would open second base for an infielder such as Tyler Freeman, 24, or Brayan Rocchio, who is only 22.

Or, do they trade for a veteran infielder with a proven bat?

Ultimately, Juan Brito, who is also only 22, may become the Guardians second baseman. He has a potent bat. However, Brito is not as good a defensive infielder as Gimenez, Arias, Rocchio, or Freeman.

Right-hander Shane Bieber, 28, can become a free-agent after the coming season.

Bieber has had arm and elbow issues.

This past year, his sixth with Cleveland, Bieber made only 21 starts. He threw only 128 innings.

Bieber was on the injured list between a start July 9, and his return start September 22.

As part of a package to help provide much needed offense, Cleveland might benefit by trading Bieber this offseason. That might be preferable to waiting until the trade deadline, or allowing Bieber to leave without compensation.

All Star Emmanuel Clase had a league-high 44 saves in 2023. He also blew 12 saves.

Reynaldo Lopez, acquired after being designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Angels, did a terrific job down the stretch for Cleveland.

To this scout, the Guardians would be wise to invest in Lopez long-term.

Historically, Lopez has shown command issues, but Cleveland’s outstanding pitching coaches can likely help him find command consistency.

The Guardians also have to shape a bullpen that includes another left-hander, beyond Sam Hentges.

Are there any potential Guardians bullpen arms waiting for promotion to the big leagues?

The team also has to decide what to do with inconsistent righty, James Karinchak.