AL Central predictions 2026: Are the Guardians the team to beat in the division?

Updated: Feb. 13, 2026, 1:50 p.m.|Published: Feb. 12, 2026, 5:36 p.m.

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians’ pitchers and catchers went through their first official workout of spring training Thursday at their facility in Goodyear, Arizona.

Position players are scheduled to report Sunday — although many of them are already in camp — with the first full-squad workout scheduled for Tuesday.

BETTING: The Guardians are listed at +430 to win the AL Central Division next season on FanDuel. Our comprehensive FanDuel Sportsbook review shows you how to navigate through their platform. Check out our futures betting if you’re interested in learning more about how to bet on futures.

All of which means it’s time to predict how the five teams in the AL Central will do this season based on what they’ve done to improve or regress over the winter.

The teams will be ranked from fifth place to first place.

5. White Sox

Last year: 60-102, fifth place

Manager: Will Venable, second year.

PECOTA, FanGraphs predictions for 2026: Fifth at 69-93 and fifth at 67.5-94.5.

One-on-one: Guardians went 11-2 vs. White Sox last year.

The skinny: The White Sox have averaged 108 losses per season over the last three years, but they just may break that pattern this year. They’ve added Erick Fedde, Seranthony Dominguez and Anthony Kay to the pitching staff. They signed Japanese first baseman Munetaka Murakami to a two-year, $34 million deal and outfielder Austin Hays to a one-year, $6 million deal after trading Luis Robert Jr., another outfielder, and his $20 million salary to the Mets.

Fun fact: The White Sox won the MLB draft lottery at the winter meetings, gaining the first overall pick this year.

4. Twins

Last year: 70-92, fourth place.

Manager: Derek Shelton, first year.

PECOTA, FanGraphs projections for 2026: Third at 78.8-83.2 and third at 79.7-83.3.

One-on-one: Guardians went 9-4 vs. the Twins last year.

The skinny: It’s hard to get a handle on what the Twins are doing. At the deadline last year, they traded 10 players and it looked like they were headed for a big rebuild. However, Derek Falvey, team president and the man leading the rebuild, left the organization at the end of January. While Falvey was leaning into a rebuild, Tom Pohlad, the team’s control person, felt the team could contend in 2026. The Twins have added free agents in first baseman Josh Bell, catcher Victor Caratini and reliever Taylor Rogers. They also acquired lefty Anthony Banda from the Dodgers.

Fun fact: Shelton, former Cleveland hitting coach, returns to manage the Twins after five seasons managing the Pirates. Before taking the Pirates job, he was the Twins bench coach.

3. Royals

Last year: 82-80, third.

Manager: Matt Quatraro, fourth season.

PECOTA, FanGraphs projections for 2026: First at 85.5-76.5 and second at 81-81.

One-on-one: Guardians went 8-5 against the Royals last year.

The skinny: The Royals just might win the AL Central if their rotation of Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Kris Bubic and Michael Wacha can avoid last year’s injuries and their offense improves. Their offensive production from the outfield was poor last year so they sent valuable lefty Angel Zerpa to the Brewers for outfielder Isaac Collins and right-hander Nick Means. Then they signed Lane Thomas, who spent two injury-filled years with the Guardians. If power-hitting Jac Caglianone can recover from his shaky big-league debut last year that would be an added boost. The Royals have depth in the pen, especially at the back end with closer Carlos Estevez and Lucas Erceg, which should ease the pain of losing Zerpa.

Fun fact: Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., starting his fifth season, has led the big leagues in hits for the last two years with 211 in 2024 and 184 in 2025.

2. Guardians

Last year: 88-74, first.

Manager: Stephen Vogt, third season.

PECOTA, FanGraphs projections for 2026: Fourth at 75.3-86.7 and fourth at 75.6-86.4.

One-on-one: Guardians went 36-16 vs. the AL Central last year.

The skinny: Preseason projections are not treating the defending AL Central champs kindly, mostly because they did so little this winter to help one of last year’s worst offenses in baseball. But have they really taken a 13-game tumble from 88 to 75 victories as PECOTA and FanGraphs project? The only counter the front office has is if untested players such as Chase DeLauter, George Valera, CJ Kayfus and others can lend a hand to Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan to awaken this offense. If not, it won’t matter how many arms the Guardians added to the bullpen this winter — and it was a lot — because they’re going to struggle. No doubt the rotation is strong, but a team has to score to win, even one that rallied from a 15-1/2 game deficit last year.

Fun fact: Last year the Guardians went 50-33 in games decided by two or fewer runs.

1. Tigers
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Last year: 87-75, second.

Manager: A.J. Hinch, sixth season.

PECOTA, FanGraphs projections for 2026: Second at 83.1-78.9 and first at 85.7-76.3

One-on-one: The Guardians went 8-5 against the Tigers last year.

The skinny: After a nine-year drought, the Tigers have gone to the postseason for the last two seasons. It feels like they’re determined to make it three straight based on what they did this offseason. Yes, Tarik Skubal won a historic $32 million arbitration contract for 2026, but that didn’t stop Detroit from signing lefty Framber Valdez to a three-year, $115 million deal and bringing home Justin Verlander on a one-year, $13 million deal. It gives Hinch a rotation of Skubal, the two-time Cy Young winner, Valdez, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize and Verlander. It also makes up for the loss of Reese Olson, who will miss the season with right shoulder surgery. In the bullpen they added closer Kenley Jansen, while second baseman Gleyber Torres decided to stay in the Motor City by accepting the qualifying offer.

Fun fact: The Guardians and Tigers played each other 16 times last season, including the three-game wild card series. Ten of the 16 games were decided by three or fewer runs.

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[ Should be a close finish for second place in this division. Will a second place finish be good enough for post season play. Don't think so. ]

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Why Failing to Extend Steven Kwan Would Be a Major Mistake for Cleveland Guardians

The Guardians would put themselves further down the totem poll of major league talent if they moved on from Steven Kwan without an answer in place.

Cade Cracas

2 hours ago

It's that time of year.

The Cleveland Guardians are just a few weeks away from the start of the 2026 MLB season, and with that, the organization released its promotional schedule.

While many teams around the league received praise for theirs, the Guardians instead were met with one major question: Where's Steven Kwan? He was let out of all promotional nights, not being showcased in memorabilia, bobble heads or jerseys.

The 28-year-old has been involved in trade rumors and contract extension discussions for a little over a year now, with no end to them in sight.

But if the front office isn't able to lock down the two-time All-Star and four-time Golden Glover, it would be a major mistake. They have the cap space, they have the room on the roster, it's all about making it happen now.

Following the promotional schedule release, Guardians sideline reporter Andre Knott spoke on the situation.

"Read between the lines... I think that's being careful of something happening," Knott said. "Go back last year, did you notice there were no Josh Naylor giveaways... You don't want to give a giveaway of someone you may not have."

While those comments from someone close to the organization would obviously signal that something is going to happen, Knott then calmed the storm a bit.

"I don't think they want to get rid of him, but also, you know, the Guards are one team that's not gonna overpay for him either," he said.

In 2025, Kwan slashed .272/.330/.374 for an OPS of .705, knocking 29 doubles and 11 home runs for a career-high 56 RBIs. He also put up some of the league's best fielding numbers, with 308 putouts, 13 assists and a 97.6% fielding mark.

The Issue Moving Forward

The decision to either trade Kwan or let him walk at the end of the season presents a few unique scenarios.

The first:

a trade. This would ultimately be the best option for Cleveland, especially if they are seriously not considering signing him long-term. With how high his value is, at least for his defensive efforts, the team could get a good chunk of prospects and a short-term replacement in return. This would obviously signal, though, that the Guardians believe they have enough talent in the minors to eventually replace his role.

The second:

letting him walk. This would be the worst possible option. If the Guardians played him for the next one to two campaigns, allowing him to continue thriving and carving out his role in left field, and then he just left, it would be one of the most disappointing decisions the organization has ever made. Kwan's an elite talent, and if you are just going to let him leave, you may as well get something back in return.

Currently, he's under control with the team through the 2027 campaign, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent in 2028. By that time, he will be entering his 30's.

The front office may be unwilling to extend him into that age range, mainly due to how many promising prospects they have right now. At the end of last year, they platooned Chase DeLauter, George Valera, Petey Halpin and CJ Kayfus, all players who could hypothetically play in the outfield moving forward. Kayfus is more of a first baseman than anything, but he did play 29 games in right field in 2025.

If Cleveland believes in them, and others still itching to make their debut, a Kwan extension might not be in the team's best interest.

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Alarming Details Revealed About Emmanuel Clase Rigging Pitches in MLB Playoffs

Clase is also accused of using coded language to discuss pitch-rigging.

Matthew Pisani

1 hour ago

More information regarding Emmanuel Clase and his pitch-rigging investigation has come to light. According to Zack Neisel and Mike Vorkunov, Clase rigged pitches back in the 2024 playoffs.

The pitch-rigging Clase allegedly underwent has to do with the first pitch of his appearance. On sportsbooks, the most common live, in-game bets people can make are pitch results and pitch speeds. If you look at the pitches thrown in that Gam 1 of the ALDS against the Detroit Tigers, it is clear which one was the alleged rigged pitch.

Like almost all of the alleged rigged pitches Clase threw, it was the very first one of the inning. In the top of the 9th inning in Game 1 of the ALDS, the first pitch Clase threw was 93 MPH and fell short of the plate by about 10-15 feet. That pitch looks oddly similar to all of the other ‘rigged pitches’ Clase threw in this investigation. A slow pitch that was nowhere near the zone.

After that first pitch, Clase returned to his normal form. He got a strikeout on that first batter. The next batter rolled one over to second base for the easy out. The final batter flared a fly ball to left field for the easy final out of the game.

Clase was dominant in that inning. Except for that first pitch, which was extremely ugly and extremely short of the plate. It falls in line with all the other videos out there of him allegedly rigging pitches. It is always the first pitch, and it is always well short of the plate.

Thankfully for the Guardians, the rigged pitch did not play a factor in the game, and the Guardians were able to maintain their 7-0 lead en route to a Game One victory.

Rigging pitches in a playoff game is a new level for players. Rigging pitches in a regular-season game, of which there are 162 of them, is much less significant than in a five-game ALDS series against a division rival. Every pitch counts in the postseason, and giving one away for free to the opposition is very risky business.

The fact that Clase was able to get away with a pitch like this for a year and a half amidst the investigation is impressive, but the investigation did what it was supposed to do, and that is find any and all instances where a rigged pitch may have occurred.


"THROW A ROCK AT THE FIRST ROOSTER IN TODAY'S FIGHT"






In addition to the postseason pitch-rigging, Meisel mentions that code phrases were used ahead of pitch-rigging being done by Clase. “Throw a rock at the first rooster in today’s fight” was a message Clase received before a May 2025 game against the Reds. He responded with, “Yes, of course, that’s an easy toss to that rooster,” following up saying he will throw it “low.”

Clase used words like rooster and chicken regularly to describe his pitch-rigging opportunities, according to new text messages revealed in Friday’s indictment.

This postseason pitch is now one of 15 times already identified as potential rigged pitches from 2023 to 2025, all in an effort to help sports gamblers win prop bets on him. Federal authorities also mention that there were at least three occasions in which Clase planned on rigging pitches, but never appeared in the game.

The co-conspirators made at least $450,000 with kickbacks to Clase, but Clase still denies all allegations and claims his innocence.

The first “rooster” came in 2023, when a bettor asked, “And the rooster the same?” Clase replied, “Yes, the same rooster.” That night, multiple bettors won about $33,000 wagering that Clase’s first pitch would be slower than 94.5 mph.

In September of 2023, Clase texted a bettor, “chicken number 3, after I kill the first 2, play the 3…And if I can’t kill it, don’t play it. I have to kill the first two.” Clase never did enter that game, therefore not being able to throw a fixed pitch to batter number three in that inning.

This is an investigation that gets messier and murkier by the day. More pitches are found, and the allegations continue to grow. One thing is clear: Clase will likely never step foot on an MLB mound again, and this allegation, whether it be true or false, will follow him his entire life.

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These articles are just getting terrible. The one mentions that the Guardians have cap space to sign Kwan. What the hell is cap space ?

One article says that the Guardians have picked up bad apples when they are desperate . Who said they are desperate ?

MLB Network's reliever rankings shows how blessed Guardians fans are with Cade Smith

We're lucky.

By Henry Palattella

5 hours ago

Last season, the long-term outlook of the Guardians’ bullpen changed overnight thanks to Emmanuel Clase being placed on paid leave as a part of a pitch rigging scheme that has likely resulted in him throwing his final pitch with the Guardians.

For most teams, losing a Hall of Fame caliber reliever would be a death blow to their bullpen. But it was barely a blip for the Guardians thanks to Cade Smith, who dominated after taking over the closer role in the second half of the season.

Now Smith is entering spring training as the Guardians’ clear No. 1 option for the ninth inning and also ranks as one of the best relievers in baseball.

We got even more reinforcement of that thinking earlier this week when MLB Network released its list of the top 10 relievers in baseball, where he came in as the No. 4 reliever on the list behind Edwin Díaz, Mason Miller and Aroldis Chapman.

Guardians’ Cade Smith ranks as one of the best pitchers in all of baseball

While Smith’s counting stats took a bit of a hit last season compared to his fantastic rookie season in 2024, he was arguably even more valuable to the Guardians in 2025.

Last season Smith finished the year with a 2.93 ERA in 73 2/3 innings while striking out nearly 35% of the hitters he faced.

After opening the season as the Guardians’ eighth inning man, he got his first taste of being a closer during a two-week stretch in April when Clase ran into some uncharacteristic struggles. He shifted back to a setup role after that, but was thrust into a full-time closer role at the end of July when Clase was placed on paid leave.

Although he blew his first save opportunity in that time, he posted a 2.51 ERA in 28 2/3 innings in his final 29 appearances of the season before throwing 3 1/3 scoreless innings in the postseason.

Smith’s dominance is even more impressive when you consider his approach. While he technically throws three pitches, he threw his fastball 70% of the time last year. Batters know what’s coming and still can’t hit it, which is the mark of any dominant reliever.

Smith finished last season in the 98th percentile in expected ERA (2.51) along with being in the 97th percentile in strikeout rate (34.7%) and barrel rate (4%). The best relievers in baseball are the ones who are able to generate swing-and-miss, and Smith’s ability to do so is unparalleled.

In fact, you could argue that’s better than the three pitchers ranked ahead of him. Miller has a 102 mile per hour fastball and cost the Padres one of the top prospects in baseball at the trade deadline, but he struggled in the first half last year and seems to always be flirting with the idea of going back to being a starting pitcher.

Díaz and Chapman are clearly two of the top relief options in baseball, but they’re both deep into their careers and have dealt with injuries in their career. Meanwhile Smith is entering his third MLB season, is extremely durable and is due for a long-term extension.

Smith’s one of baseball’s best, and is a tangible example of the Guardians’ bullpen dominance over the past couple seasons.

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No splash, all substance: Here’s the Guardians’ answer to big-spending MLB teams

The Cleveland Guardians continue to find success despite their status as a small-market team. So, how do they do it?

By Joey Mistretta

Feb 15, 2026 at 12:39 PM ET

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — The Cleveland Guardians are one of baseball's most fascinating teams. In similar fashion to many small-market ball clubs in the MLB world, Cleveland often sits back and watches the heavy-spenders go head-to-head in free agency. Plenty of analysts and prediction-makers consistently count the Guardians out in spring training. And then, like clockwork, the Guards often end up in the postseason nonetheless. So, how do the Guardians keep winning without spending big in MLB free agency?

Guardians general manager Mike Chernoff does not have as much financial room to work with as compared to big-market teams' GMs. He's done a phenomenal job, however. Chernoff does not take all of the credit, though

During Spring Training Media Day in Arizona, Chernoff explained the Guardians' approach to building a contender.

“In today's economic system in Major League Baseball, we can't compete in free agency. So, we have to do things very differently,” Chernoff told ClutchPoints. “And I understand that in an offseason, we may not be the team that wins an offseason. But our scouts, and our analysts, and our coaches, are second to none. And that group works so hard to make sure that the guys are just consistently improving, and that's what it comes down to.

“We have to win with our own players. We know who we are. We've put all of our effort in developing those guys, and we've been, you know, really fortunate that we, you know, won, whatever, six division titles in the past, whatever, decade or something like that. Postseason seven out of 10 years. Yeah, but we know we have to do it very differently.”

The Cleveland Pitching Factory?

Another thing the Guardians do well? Develop starting pitching. There's a reason they've been called the “Cleveland Pitching Factory” in the past.

“To me, it's a combination of all of the factors,” Chernoff said of the Guardians' pitching development. “I think our group, our pitching group, is so collaborative. And it has to be a joint effort. You have to be acquiring players that you feel like you can develop and have that upside. I think our scouts and our analysts do a great job of helping to do that.

“But that transition is seamless, you know, our coaching group is very involved in the acquisition process… As soon as a guy gets here, we know that player inside and out, and we meet them where they are. We hit the ground running. We have a great group of coaches that finds a way to get the best out of players.”

Guardians don't pay attention to outside noise

As mentioned, the Guardians are not always included among the top contenders in preseason predictions. One may imagine that Cleveland uses that as motivation. Manager Stephen Vogt explained that the ball club simply attempts to tune out the outside noise, however.

“I don't know if it puts a chip on our shoulder. We try really hard not to pay attention to that,” Vogt told ClutchPoints. “We focus on us. We know that we have an objective, that's to go out every night and win. Chris (Antonetti, Cleveland's president of baseball operations), Mike, they've built this organization to win… Obviously taking over for somebody like Tito (Terry Francona), you just pick up where they left off.

“You just try to get better every day. Our group does such a great job… We're worried about us. We're not worried about anything outside of us. I'm thankful that our players are like that.”

The Detroit Tigers had a big offseason. The Kansas City Royals have steadily improved. Many of the experts are already taking those teams over the Guardians in the American League Central.

Will history repeat itself once again? Only time will tell, but it would not be surprising to see Cleveland playing meaningful baseball in October once again in 2026.

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Stephen Vogt on Guardians’ spring-training roster battles: What to know for 2026

Updated: Feb. 14, 2026, 6:12 p.m.|Published: Feb. 14, 2026, 5:47 p.m.

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Most Guardians have been in camp for a while, but the pace of spring training will officially start to quicken Tuesday for the first full-squad workout at the team’s year-round facility in Goodyear, Ariz.

Here are seven quick hitters from manager Stephen Vogt’s press conferences on Friday and Saturday regarding players and their roles for the 2026 season.

1. Outfielder George Valera made his big-league debut last year after being designated for assignment in November 2024, only to be re-signed to a minor-league deal by Cleveland.

Vogt: “The first time you get to the 40-man roster with your original organization, get taken off it, and then another team takes a chance on you, you sometimes get that renewed freshness. George is getting his second chance with us ... and that doesn’t happen very often. He can manage an at-bat, he has power and he’s a good, good hitter. We’re excited to see him healthy.”

2. Rule 5 pick right-hander Peyton Pallette, who was selected from the White Sox in December.

Vogt: “We told Peyton, ‘Go show us what you can do. You’re not going to make the team on Feb. 13 or Feb. 14. Just dive in. Be stubborn with who you are, but just dive in with our coaches and see how we can grow together over the next six to seven weeks.’”

If Guardians don’t keep Pallette on the 26-man roster, they must offer him back to Chicago.

3. Left-hander Logan Allen, who will be pitching for Panama in the World Baseball Classic.

Vogt: “We’re going to try and build him up as close as possible to 60 pitches so he can go and represent Panama at a full capacity. He started his progression before he got to camp to try and build up.”

Allen and Panama open the WBC on March 6 against Cuba in Puerto Rico.

4. Utility player David Fry, who was limited to pinch-hitting and DH last year as he recovered from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

Vogt: “I don’t know if David is an option at third base. Coming off his surgery we want to keep it as simple as possible. I imagine he will catch the majority of spring training, and we’ll get him some first-base reps at the end of camp. I don’t know if it’s fair to him to add him in at third base or the outfield.”

5. Outfielder Chase DeLauter, whose career has been stalled by several injuries.

Vogt: “In our meeting, we told Chase we’re going to build you up appropriately for the season. We want you to continue to stay dialed into your routines to keep yourself in the best position to sustain seven months of baseball. Chase has had some really rough injury luck. For him, it’s just be a healthy baseball player. We want to provide him with every resource to help him.”

6. The starting rotation (Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Slade Cecconi, Joey Cantillo, Allen and Parker Messick):

Vogt: “It’s going to be a really hard decision. We had six starters down the stretch last year, and we’re going to open this season with five. There is going to be a real competition and they’re all excited about it. All six of them, plus our depth starters, are ready for it.”

7. First baseman Kyle Manzardo:

Vogt: “His swing is looking great. The ball is jumping off his bat. Even his miss-hits off the machines or live BP, the ball is jumping. We’re really proud of Kyle. He transformed his body. It’s fun to watch.”

Finally

All Guardians players are in camp except Jose Ramirez. He’s expected to report on time Sunday and be ready for Tuesday’s workout.

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After past injuries, Valera relishing normal start to spring

February 14th, 2026

Tim Stebbins

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- George Valera stood in the batter’s box at Field 3 of the Guardians’ player development complex on Saturday, facing Adam Tulloch in a live batting practice session. Cleveland’s first full-squad workout is on Tuesday, but Valera is among the crowd of players already in camp.

Valera would have it no other way. When he arrived at Spring Training last year, he had just begun walking without a limp, following surgery for a torn patellar tendon in his right knee the previous September. He was a non-roster invitee, but spent the entirety of camp rehabbing.

This year, Valera is unrestricted physically as Spring Training begins. And after the 25-year-old outfielder was able to enjoy a normal offseason, he finds himself well in the mix for a spot on the Guardians’ Opening Day roster.

“I'm pretty happy, man,” Valera said. “[It feels] pretty normal, honestly, just being a part of all the practice and the conversations with the guys and the team this year. I don't have to be in the training room so much. It’s a blessing.”

It’s also a major source of excitement for the Guardians as they fast approach their Cactus League opener next Saturday.

Valera made a good impression down the stretch last season, following his MLB debut on Sept. 1. He slashed .220/.333/.415 with two homers, five RBIs and seven walks with 13 strikeouts over 16 regular-season games. In Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Tigers, his solo homer opened the scoring in Cleveland’s 6-1 win.

That brief display of Valera’s potential is something fans and the Guardians have long waited to see in the Majors. Valera was Cleveland’s No. 1 prospect in 2022, per MLB Pipeline. Injuries, of course, impacted his timeline. Valera played 79 games in ‘23, when he suffered a right wrist injury during Spring Training. He played 90 in ‘24, when he strained his left hamstring during camp.

“I'm excited. I have not seen George Valera play a Spring Training game yet,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “Going into Year 3, seeing him healthy, hearing his confidence level, and just having a full offseason to be able to be an active player rather than rehabbing, I think we're all excited to watch what George can do.”

Certainly if we get the chance to see it over a full season. Valera is among a slew of outfielders in the mix for the Guardians’ Opening Day roster this spring, and Cleveland gained a fourth (and extra) Minor League option on him this winter, due to his injury history.

But Valera has upside as a onetime top prospect, and last year was just an initial taste of what he can do. The Guardians’ belief in him was evident; Valera was Cleveland’s No. 2 hitter down the stretch and in the postseason.

“He can manage an at-bat,” Vogt said. “He makes great swing decisions. He's got power. He's just a good, good hitter. Watching him play the outfield in a limited capacity and how well he played the outfield in a limited capacity, I think we're all really, really pumped to see him playing outfield healthy.”

Valera’s offseason was valuable both on and off the field. He spent a few weeks in the Dominican Republic, in his first visit home since before his knee surgery. After that procedure, it was hard for him to take a long flight where his knee would remain bent for an extended time.

“It was fire. I loved it. Home is the best, bro,” Valera said. “Being able to work out every day, good weather every day. Just going to the beach, hanging out with my mom [Nina] and my dad [Danilo] all the time, seeing all my cousins every time, my uncles and aunts every time.

“It’s a blessing because I have a lot of family that just can't come over here, so I hadn’t seen them for a long time. Just going back home and seeing my friends too was special.”

This could be a special season for Valera. He obviously must stay healthy, and he even noted how that would help constitute a successful season on an individual level. If he can stay on the field, we know the rest may come, given his talent.

Last season gave Valera an idea of what to expect in the Majors. But there is still work for him and the Guardians to do.

“It was a dream,” Valera said. “It was sweet. We didn't finish it, though. So we’ve gotta finish the job this time around.”

Tim Stebbins covers the Guardians for MLB.com

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Welcome back to the Guardians Beat newsletter. My name is Tim Stebbins, and I'm heading into my second season covering Cleveland for MLB.com.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The only person perhaps more excited that Logan Allen is participating in the upcoming World Baseball Classic than the Guardians lefty himself is his mother Pam.

“She's pumped,” Allen said.

Allen will pitch in the Classic for Panama, which is his mother’s birthplace. It’s something that has been on his radar since the 2023 edition of the tournament, and one that carries tremendous meaning to the Allen family.

While Allen is a Florida native, Pam is from Colón, Panama, which is located near the Caribbean end of the Panama Canal. She grew up in the country before heading to the United States during her 20s.

Allen still has a lot of extended family in Panama, and he’s expecting many of them to come out to watch him pitch in the Classic. Panama is in Pool A (alongside Canada, Colombia, Cuba and Puerto Rico) and will play its first-round games in San Juan from March 6-11.

“[Panama] playing in Puerto Rico makes the travel a little bit easier for the family,” Allen said. “I’m really excited. It should be a lot of fun.”






Also unique for Allen is having three-time MLB All-Star Carlos Lee, whom he grew up watching, as Panama’s hitting coach.

Allen had interest in pitching in the Classic in 2023, when he was a Guardians non-roster invitee during Spring Training. But he was still trying to establish himself in the Major Leagues and had yet to make his MLB debut, which eventually came on April 23 of that season.

“I feel like now that I'm a little bit more established, it's a little bit of a better time to take this opportunity,” said Allen, who’s made 74 appearances (73 starts) for Cleveland the past three seasons.

With the Classic taking place during Spring Training, Allen had some change within his preparation for the regular season. He arrived at camp sooner than previous years, and started his throwing progression before heading to Arizona.

The Guardians’ Cactus League opener is on Saturday, so Allen (who’s part of Cleveland’s starting rotation competition this spring) could make one or two starts before leaving to join Panama, and then stay on a five- or six-day routine during the tournament. Players cannot throw more than 65 pitches during the first round of the Classic. Cleveland will build up Allen as close and appropriately to that figure as possible.

Allen is among nine players in the Guardians' organization who will be playing in the Classic, in a group that also includes Travis Bazzana (Cleveland’s No. 1 prospect and No. 20 overall, per MLB Pipeline), who will be playing for Australia, and big leaguers Bo Naylor (Canada) and Matt Festa (Italy). Allen will see Naylor on March 8, when Panama and Canada square off.






If Allen takes the mound against Canada, it could mark one of his first (if not the first) matchups with Naylor. Teammates square off during Spring Training in live batting practice sessions, but catchers are often behind the plate, not in the batter’s box. Allen said he would enjoy facing his battery mate.

“For sure. I’d probably just throw him heaters, let him feel good. Maybe run one up under his chin,” Allen joked, while laughing. “It’s going to be really cool.”

The top two teams in each of the four pools of the Classic will move on to the quarterfinals. Pool A has some stiff competition, but Allen is hopeful about Panama’s chances to advance. Overall, he’s looking forward to playing in one of the sport’s best environments while representing his family heritage.

“I should have quite a bit of that side of the family showing up, so that'll be fun,” Allen said. “My mom, aunt, my cousins on that side. It should be really cool. I'm excited.”


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Joey Cantillo, Logan Allen will start Friday’s spring-training openers: Guardians takeaways

Updated: Feb. 17, 2026, 9:26 a.m.|Published: Feb. 16, 2026, 8:15 p.m.

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Lefties Joey Cantillo and Logan Allen will be the starting pitchers when the Guardians open the spring-training season Saturday with split-squad games against the Reds and Brewers.

They will play the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark and the Brewers in Phoenix.

Manager Stephen Vogt said the decision has not been made on what team Cantillo and Allen will face.

Cantillo and Allen are two of the pitchers competing for a spot in the starting rotation. The Guardians currently have six starters for five spots.

Allen is getting Friday’s start because he’s pitching for Panama in the World Baseball Classic. Panama opens play in the WBC on March 6 in Puerto Rico. Vogt said they want to have Allen ready to throw at least 60 pitches before he leaves camp and Friday’s start will help him reach that goal.

Cantillo, according to Vogt, earned Friday’s start “because he’s been here (in camp) longer than anyone.”

Last season was an interesting one for Cantillo.

He came to spring training as a starter.

He made the Guardians’ Opening Day roster as a reliever.

The Guardians optioned him to Triple-A Columbus on May 27 to get stretched out as a starter.

He was recalled on July 3 to join the rotation after Luis Ortiz was placed on non-disciplinary leave and later indicted for throwing fixed pitches in games.

After making 13 starts, Cantillo was optioned to Triple-A again so the Guardians could take a look at lefty Parker Messick.

When the roster was expanded on Sept. 1, he was recalled and rejoined the rotation as the sixth starter. In that role, he went 2-0 with a 1.55 ERA in his final five starts and was named AL Rookie of the Month.

“All the way to Game 3 of the wild card series, the game plan was, ‘How do we get the game to Joey,’” said Vogt. “If you look at that journey across 2025, to handle all those things and never complain or argue. We got to see what Joey Cantillo can be as a starter in this league and it was really exciting for him and us.”

Cantillo struck out 108 batters in 95 1/3 innings last season. He appeared in 34 games, including 13 starts.

His best pitch is a changeup.

“It looks like a fastball,” said Vogt. “There’s no way to pick it up. A lot of hitters sit on the changeup and now the fastball is by them.

“I like to call his changeup a stop ball. It looks like the ball just stops in midair and drops. It’s definitely one of the better changeups in our game.”

Action players

Vogt said Travis Bazzana and Stuart Fairchild are going to be busy during the early part of the Cactus League season to get ready for the WBC. Bazzana is playing for Australia and Fairchild for Chinese Taipei.

Australia and Chinese Taipei play in Pool C in Tokyo starting on March 5.

“Bazzana and Fairchild are going to play quite a bit before they leave,” said Vogt. “We need to get their innings ramped up.”

The Guardians used the No.1 pick in the 2024 draft to select Bazzana. Fairchild is a spring-training invitee, who spent last season with Atlanta.

Finally

Switch-hitter Juan Brito, a natural second baseman, is getting work at first and third base in camp. Vogt said he may even play some right field.

Brito is one of only 11 position players in camp who can hit right-handed, including six switch-hitters.

On the 40-man roster, there are only four pure right-handed hitters: David Fry, Austin Hedges, Gabriel Arias and Johnathan Rodriguez ... Slade Cecconi and Daniel Espino were among the pitchers who threw to hitters on Monday ... José Ramírez is in camp. He was the last player to report.

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Why Stuart Fairchild could be the Guardians’ most strategic offseason acquisition

Published: Feb. 17, 2026, 10:41 a.m.

By Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — You might not recognize Stuart Fairchild’s name among the Guardians’ offseason moves, but inside Cleveland’s front office, the veteran outfielder was identified as a priority target long before spring training opened in Goodyear, Arizona.

“They had targeted and targeted him early in the off season, this is a guy they wanted,” Paul Hoynes revealed during a recent Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, referring to manager Stephen Vogt’s comments about Fairchild.

Why such interest in a 28-year-old journeyman who signed on a minor-league deal? The answer lies in two critical areas where Fairchild addresses specific organizational needs: defensive versatility and right-handed hitting.

“It was important that he plays all three outfield positions and he’s really good in center field,” Hoynes explained, highlighting Vogt’s comments about Fairchild’s defensive value.

In an outfield picture crowded with question marks, Fairchild’s ability to play all three positions – particularly center field – gives the Guardians a flexibility that’s especially valuable. While players like Nolan Jones might have stronger offensive upside, Fairchild provides a defensive skillset that Cleveland has lacked since parting ways with Myles Straw.

Perhaps even more important than his glove is which hand he swings the bat with. In an organization dominated by left-handed hitters throughout the major and minor league levels, Fairchild’s right-handed bat stands out.

“This is a left-handed world for the Guardians right now. They need some balance,” Hoynes noted.

This lineup imbalance isn’t just a statistical curiosity – it’s a strategic vulnerability that opposing teams can exploit by stacking left-handed relievers against Cleveland in high-leverage situations. Fairchild provides a counter that the current roster largely lacks.

Though he enters camp on a minor-league deal, there are clear pathways for Fairchild to impact the major league roster, either by breaking camp with the club or joining later in the season. His three years of service time across stints with Cincinnati, Seattle, Arizona and Atlanta give him the kind of experience the Guardians value.

“The way that Stephen Vogt is talking about Stuart Fairchild, it just feels like he’s a guy who at some point is going to get a shot to play in the big leagues for the Guardians this season,” Joe Noga observed during the podcast.

Fairchild’s spring training performance now takes on added importance as the Guardians determine their optimal outfield alignment. With a spot on the World Baseball Classic roster for Chinese Taipei, he’ll get plenty of competitive at-bats early in camp as the coaching staff evaluates his potential role.

Whether he makes the opening day roster or starts at Triple-A Columbus, Fairchild’s specific skill set makes him a name worth remembering as the 2024 season unfolds. In baseball’s marathon season, sometimes it’s the under-the-radar acquisitions that end up making the most significant difference.

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Is Daniel Espino finally ready to show why he’s still the Guardians’ most electric pitching prospect?

Published: Feb. 17, 2026, 10:44 a.m.

By Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — When Daniel Espino took the mound for a live batting practice session this week at the Guardians’ spring training complex in Arizona, it represented far more than just another routine February bullpen. For Cleveland’s hardest-throwing prospect, it was the culmination of years spent rehabilitating knee and shoulder injuries that have kept him off the mound consistently for four years.

“He really hasn’t pitched full time at any level since 2021 because of knee and shoulder injuries,” explained Paul Hoynes on the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast. “He talked about how emotional it was to finally make a start last season for Columbus.”

That emotional moment came in a brief one-inning appearance for Triple-A Columbus last season – his first official game action in nearly two years. The significance wasn’t lost on anyone in the organization, including the major league coaching staff.

“When he made that start for Columbus last season, the Guardians were in Minnesota getting ready to play the Twins. And he said everybody on the coaching staff and a lot of the players were watching the game,” Hoynes revealed.

It’s not just Espino’s triple-digit fastball that has the organization captivated. There’s something about his character that commands unusual respect from Cleveland’s staff.

“Joe Torres, the assistant pitching coach, came into the press room and was just talking to some of the reporters and he said this is the kind of kid that you would adopt,” Hoynes shared. “He said if you had a daughter, you’d want her to marry this guy.”

Now healthy and throwing 99-100 mph again, Espino faces a new challenge. After years focused solely on recovery, he must rapidly develop the finer points of his craft if he hopes to make his long-anticipated major league debut this season.

“Once you get back to the mound where he is now, you’ve got to start thinking about pitching again, holding runners, getting ground balls, you know, fielding your position,” Espino acknowledged to reporters.

The Guardians beat writers emphasized this point during their podcast.

“Now you’ve got to go out there and be able to quickly develop and learn the skills and the knowledge that you’re going to need to take to the mound in a big league game,” Joe Noga explained. “You can’t go out there and just be raw. The 99 will get you a few outs in an outing, but it won’t get you through against major league hitting.”

For his part, Espino appears to be embracing this next phase of his journey, choosing to focus on the present rather than comparing himself to the pitcher he was before the injuries.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for both Espino and the Guardians. If he can stay healthy and quickly master the nuances of pitching at the highest level, Cleveland could find itself with an unexpected midseason boost to its pitching staff – a potential difference-maker with the kind of electric arm that changes postseason equations.

As he drives to the facility each day, Espino admits he allows himself to dream about his eventual MLB debut, right down to what his warmup music might be. After years of setbacks, that dream finally feels within reach.

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Can Joey Cantillo’s elite changeup lock him into a spot in the Guardians rotation?

Updated: Feb. 17, 2026, 10:54 a.m.|Published: Feb. 17, 2026, 10:47 a.m.

By Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — When the Guardians announced their Cactus League rotation for this weekend’s split-squad openers, it wasn’t just a procedural spring training update. It was the opening bell for what promises to be one of the most consequential position battles in Cleveland’s camp: the race for rotation spots. At the center of this competition stands Joey Cantillo, the laid-back Hawaii native and lefty whose demeanor masks a fierce competitor armed with what might be baseball’s most deceptive changeup.

“Vogt is in love with that changeup. He says it’s one best in the big leagues,” revealed Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com Guardians beat reporter, during a recent Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast. “He calls it a stop pitch. He said it seems like Cantillo’s changeup just stops in midair and drops and the hitters really have a hard time adjusting to it.”

That pitch has become Cantillo’s calling card, but it’s not just his arsenal that’s impressed Cleveland’s manager. What truly set Cantillo apart during a 2025 season filled with organizational shuffle was his professionalism in handling circumstances that might have rattled other young players.

“He was really impressed that Cantillo never really complained. He never really argued with the decisions the coaching staff made. He just put his head down and went to work,” Hoynes said of Vogt’s assessment.

That work ethic was tested repeatedly last season. After making the club out of spring training as a reliever, Cantillo was eventually moved into the rotation, then sent down to Columbus to get stretched out. Just days later, when Luis Ortiz was placed on administrative leave (later revealed to be related to a betting scandal), Cantillo was immediately recalled.

The organizational pinball continued when he was later optioned again to make room for prospect Parker Messick, before ultimately returning to help anchor a six-man rotation that clinched the AL Central title in September. Through it all, Cantillo never wavered, eventually earning American League Rookie of the Month honors.

The statistics back up the eye test. In 95⅓ innings across 34 appearances (including 13 starts), Cantillo struck out 108 batters while holding opponents to a .218 batting average. His fastball-changeup combo proved particularly effective, with both pitches looking identical coming out of his hand before taking dramatically different paths.

“I think he’s going to have a great shot to make this club one way or the other because he’s out of options,” Hoynes noted. “But I would think he’s got a leg up on that, on that race for the rotation.”

That lack of minor league options adds another layer of intrigue to Cantillo’s spring. Unlike some competitors for rotation spots, the Guardians can’t simply stash him in Columbus if he doesn’t make the starting five. It’s major league roster or potentially losing him to another organization.

As Cactus League play begins this weekend with Cantillo taking the ball for one of the split-squad games, all eyes will be on the southpaw with the mystifying “stop pitch.” With his combination of talent, temperament and roster circumstances, the rotation spot appears increasingly his to lose.

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Stephen Vogt Drops Major Goal for Cleveland Guardians in 2026

Vogt has been very vocal this offseason about how this team isn't going to go into a rebuild, let alone give up the American League Central title without a fight.

Cade Cracas

1 hour ago

Even if the Cleveland Guardians are young and unproven, the expectation of excellence remains intact.

With spring training set to begin, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt made it clear Tuesday, Feb. 17, what the standard will be for the 2026 campaign.

"We're here for one thing, and that's to win a World Series," Vogt said.

That message sent from Vogt applies to a team that's set to sport countless youngsters this season, potentially including outfielders Chase DeLauter and George Valera, infielders Juan Brito and CJ Kayfus, and even starting arms like Parker Messick. Each of these players is young and relatively unproven.

Standards are standards, though, as just last season the team dealt with countless injuries and bumps in the road, but still found a way to win the American League Central title. They did so even after being down 15.5 games for the No. 1 spot in the standings.

This message was also dished out earlier in the offseason.

Back at the MLB Winter Meetings on Monday, Dec. 8, Vogt expressed those same expectations.

"We expect to go out and win every night," He said. "We are trying to win as many games as we can so we can have a chance to win a World Series. I think when that's our expectation, whatever expectations or pressure is coming in from the outside, it's not as much as the pressure we put on ourselves."

At that point, much of the offseason still lay ahead, and he had yet to see the strides many players would make in the months that followed. That only helps to prove how serious he is about it.

His goal was not tied to offseason moves or spring progress, but rather to a standard.

The Biggest Challenges to the Guardians' Success

There's no doubt some of the team's leaders, like José Ramírez and Steven Kwan, will continue to be top bats in the lineup.

But guys like DeLauter and Valera will need time to ease into their respective games and become consistent. They have all the talent in the world, that's been on display in the minors; it just needs to translate to the big leagues.

Kayfus and Brito, if they are apart of the coaching staff's rotation, will have to as well.

Outside of the team's prospects, another part of the Guardians' success will be if the pitchers are reliable on the mound. Yes, there's going to be hiccups and growing pains with arms like Logan Allen and Joey Cantillo, but Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams need to showcase that ace-type talent.

Williams is coming off an excellent campaign, while Bibee struggled. Every sign is pointing towards Williams potentially competing for a Cy Young after his promising year in 2025, but Bibee is going to need to show signs of growth following back-to-back campaigns that have progressively gotten worse since his debut season.

Many around the league point to the Los Angeles Dodgers or other teams that the Guardians will have to compete against, but in reality, 2026's success will come down to the players on the roster and if they are ready to go come Opening Day.

The first look at what the Guardians have in store for the 2026 campaign will be on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 3:05 p.m. EST against the Cincinnati Reds.

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Guardians’ Austin Hedges says resignation of union chief Tony Clark is ‘shocking in its timing’

Updated: Feb. 17, 2026, 5:47 p.m.|Published: Feb. 17, 2026, 5:23 p.m.

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Austin Hedges, one of the Guardians’ assistant player reps, was a popular man in the clubhouse on Tuesday following the resignation of Tony Clark, longtime executive director of Major League Baseball Players Association.

Clark and members of the MLBPA were scheduled to meet with the Guardians on Tuesday in Goodyear for their annual spring-training visit, but the appointment was abruptly canceled following the news of Clark’s resignation.

“A lot of players were curious,” said Hedges, following the first full squad workout of the spring. ”I told everyone, ‘Let’s just wait until more details come out.’”

The news came as a surprise with the basic agreement between players and owners set to expire Dec. 1, 2026, after this season.

“It’s shocking in its timing,” said Hedges. “Every CBA (basic agreement) is the biggest CBA, but we’re just going to have to wait and see what happens.”

Steven Kwan is the Guardians’ player rep.

“I’m sure Kwan and me are going to be on some phone calls,” said Hedges. “Tony Clark has been the executive director for as long as I’ve been playing. I’m not sure who will replace him, but I’m sure the union will band together.”

Clark, who played 15 years in the big leagues, was named executive director in 2013 following the death of Michael Weiner.

According to ESPN, Clark resigned because of an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law, who also works for the union. The MLBPA is also being investigated by the U.S. District Court of Eastern New York for questionable financial practices.

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