Breaking down the Guardians’ roster as MLB’s offseason begins
By Zack Meisel
Nov. 7, 2025 6:00 am EST
CLEVELAND — The Guardians sent six players packing on Thursday to jump-start an offseason that could include a thorough churn of the bottom half of Cleveland’s roster.
The league’s annual general manager meetings are next week. The Winter Meetings are a month away. Players will report to spring training in a mere three months. So, let’s examine the state of Cleveland’s roster and how the Guardians are approaching the winter ahead.
The infield
The catcher spot is all but set, with Bo Naylor, Austin Hedges and David Fry all returning. Fry is coming off a year that started with recovery from elbow surgery and ended with an operation to repair nasal and facial fractures from a Tarik Skubal fastball in late September. The Guardians haven’t figured out how they’ll use him next season, but the hope is he can bounce around defensively, from catcher to first base to corner outfield. Cooper Ingle, whom The Athletic’s Keith Law included as an honorable mention in his midseason Top 60 prospects list, could be ready for the majors at some point next season as well.
José Ramírez will almost certainly finish third in the AL MVP voting next week, behind, in some order, Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge. That’ll give Ramírez, in the last nine years: four top-three finishes, five top-four finishes, six top-five finishes, seven top-six finishes and eight top-10 finishes. In other words, he hasn’t had a bad season in the last decade. He’s 33 now, but has not shown any signs of slowing down, so the Guardians have no questions at third base.
The middle infield figures to involve Gabriel Arias and Brayan Rocchio at the outset, as everyone waits on top prospect Travis Bazzana to force his way to the big leagues. Juan Brito could enter the mix at second base, too, but also may bounce to first base or right field. He also could begin the season at Triple A, as the Guardians are banking on him receiving an extra option year since he missed most of 2025 with injuries.
There are plenty of candidates at first base — Kyle Manzardo, C.J. Kayfus, Fry and Brito. The Guardians could squeeze another player into the fold at one of these positions — since, for instance, Kayfus can play right field — but the infield isn’t their most pressing need.
The outfield
Through four big-league seasons, Steven Kwan is now a two-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove Award winner, but with only two seasons remaining until he reaches free agency, he’s also a trade candidate. The Guardians entertained offers for him in late July, but nothing compelled them to move their leadoff hitter. They probably won’t stumble upon a better proposal this winter, but other teams will inquire. Kwan admitted he was frustrated with his offensive performance in 2025. He’s projected to earn $8.8 million in arbitration, per MLB Trade Rumors.
The other two outfield spots are wide open. Chase DeLauter and George Valera are the leading candidates, but both are unproven and have extensive injury histories. Valera debuted in September; DeLauter debuted in a playoff elimination game in October. There’s still a lot we don’t know about both.
That leaves some opportunity for Angel Martínez, Daniel Schneemann, Petey Halpin, Johnathan Rodriguez, Jhonkensy Noel, Will Brennan or Kahlil Watson. It also makes this the most obvious spot for an external addition. They could add a part-time right-handed bat to partner with Valera (Austin Hays, Rob Refsnyder or even a reunion with Lane Thomas, perhaps), and/or they could search for an everyday option. A trade is a possibility, if they can find a team that has a surplus of big-league outfielders (the Boston Red Sox are one).
The rotation
The Guardians rolled six deep in September, as Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, Slade Cecconi, Joey Cantillo, Parker Messick and Logan Allen fueled them to a division title. That’s a good place to start for 2026, even if it doesn’t include Luis Ortiz, whose fate remains unclear as the league continues its sports betting investigation. The group also won’t include John Means, as the Guardians declined his $6 million option for 2026, or Ben Lively, who could miss the entire year following elbow surgery. The Guardians booted Lively from the 40-man roster and he elected free agency.
The Guardians have interest in bringing Means back, but not at that price point given they have more pressing needs in their lineup. They helped him along his rehab from a second Tommy John surgery all summer, and watched him throw bullpens at Progressive Field and make seven minor-league rehab starts. His fastball averaged 90.2 mph in five outings for Triple-A Columbus.
The Guardians have used an average of 12.5 starting pitchers per season the last four years, so they know they’ll need more than the six who carried them in September. Austin Peterson, Doug Nikhazy, Ryan Webb and Khal Stephen could all be depth options.
The bullpen
Assuming Emmanuel Clase isn’t part of the equation — that’s how the team is operating — it’s Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis at the back end of the pen. They should be OK on the left-handed side of the equation, as Erik Sabrowski flourished, Tim Herrin re-emerged at the end of the season and Sam Hentges is expected to return after missing 2025 because of shoulder surgery. Given that Matt Festa is projected to earn a mere $1 million in arbitration and given how he pitched about eight times per week, it’s a safe bet he’ll be back.
Depth is a concern, though. Andrew Walters essentially missed the entire season with shoulder and lat issues. Nic Enright will miss the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Daniel Espino, who missed nearly four years because of shoulder trouble, is a tantalizing wild card; he has been sitting in the upper 90s in the Arizona Fall League and was named a league All-Star. Don’t be surprised if the Guardians add an arm or two to this pile, perhaps even someone who can handle some high-leverage situations.
The path forward
Outfield and bullpen help are the primary targets. They could also stand to bolster their rotation depth. So how do they actually improve the roster? There are three avenues: free agency, trade and prayer circle.
Free agency hasn’t been the Guardians’ friend, in part because they typically shop in the bargain aisles. Last winter, they signed Bieber (he didn’t throw a pitch for them, but netted them Stephen, so in the long run, it might prove worthwhile), Hedges, Jakob Junis (he was surprisingly effective), Paul Sewald (not the best use of $7 million) and Carlos Santana (not the best use of $12 million). Only two of the five lasted the entire season in Cleveland.
The Guardians don’t have much money committed to players for 2026. After arbitration season, their payroll will be sitting somewhere between $40-50 million, while they typically run a payroll of $90-100 million. The organization’s decision-makers continue to stress that, even after consecutive division titles and healthy attendance figures, they won’t be operating any differently this winter, especially with a potential league work stoppage on the horizon after next season. There’s clearly wiggle room, though.
Cross off Pete Alonso or Cody Bellinger or anyone of that caliber on your wish list who will command a long-term deal. Someone in line for a pillow deal, a cushy, one-year arrangement to set them up for a more lucrative contract next winter? That’s more in the Guardians’ sights.
A trade or two is plausible, too. The Guardians’ farm system is healthy, and there’s enough talent in the upper levels of the minors to afford the club the ability to part with certain prospects.
Cleveland’s brass has voiced the need to boost a lineup that ranked near the bottom of the league in just about every worthwhile category. The Guardians’ 40-man roster stands at 37 players, so they have room to operate.
Zack Meisel
By Zack Meisel
Senior Writer, Guardians