Key Offseason Changes
The Guardians had a quiet offseason, choosing to lean into their elite prospect pipeline rather than chase expensive free agents. The biggest news was José Ramírez signing a seven-year extension, cementing him as the franchise cornerstone for the foreseeable future. Cleveland's front office explicitly stated they believe in developing their own players over adding established external bats.
The bullpen received attention with three additions: Shawn Armstrong (coming off a 2.31 ERA with Texas), Connor Brogdon, and Colin Holderman. Austin Hedges was re-signed as the backup catcher. Notably, the team designated Jhonkensy Noel for assignment after his offensive struggles in 2025.
The 2025 season ended with the Guardians calling up multiple prospects: George Valera, Petey Halpin, Chase DeLauter, and pitcher Parker Messick. All will compete for Opening Day roster spots, making spring training critical. Top overall pick Travis Bazzana will make his first major league camp appearance.
Projected Starting Lineup
| Order | Player | Position | Prop Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steven Kwan | LF | Elite contact, batting title contender |
| 2 | Brayan Rocchio | 2B | Developing bat, solid defense |
| 3 | José Ramírez | 3B | MVP candidate, 7-year extension |
| 4 | Kyle Manzardo | 1B | Power prospect, cleanup potential |
| 5 | Bo Naylor | C | Young catcher, emerging power |
| 6 | Nolan Jones | CF | Power/speed combo, high upside |
| 7 | George Valera | RF | Top prospect, first full season |
| 8 | Gabriel Arias | SS | Defensive specialist, developing bat |
| 9 | Chase DeLauter | DH | #2 prospect, competing for spot |
The lineup runs through José Ramírez, who remains one of baseball's most complete hitters with 30+ HR and 100+ RBI upside. Steven Kwan provides elite contact at the top, while the middle of the order is filled with high-upside prospects like Kyle Manzardo and Bo Naylor. The Guardians finished second-to-last in batting average (.226) in 2025, making offensive improvement the key storyline. Travis Bazzana, the #1 overall pick in 2024, could push for time at some point during the season.
Projected Starting Rotation
| Slot | Pitcher | Throws | Prop Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP1 | Tanner Bibee | R | Emerging ace, strikeout upside |
| SP2 | Gavin Williams | R | Power stuff, high ceiling |
| SP3 | Logan Allen | L | Crafty lefty, solid innings eater |
| SP4 | Slade Cecconi | R | Acquired arm, developing |
| SP5 | Joey Cantillo | L | Competing with Messick for spot |
The rotation features two legitimate aces in Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams, both possessing elite strikeout upside. The Guardians are returning to a five-man rotation after using six starters down the stretch in 2025. Logan Allen provides crafty lefty balance, while Slade Cecconi and Joey Cantillo will compete for back-end spots. Parker Messick is a wildcard who could force his way into the rotation with a strong spring. Daniel Espino, the former top prospect, "absolutely cleaned up" in the Fall League and could finally arrive in 2026 after years of injuries.
Bullpen & Closer Situation
Closer: Emmanuel Clase remains one of the most dominant closers in baseball with his devastating cutter. His elite strikeout-to-walk ratio and sub-1.00 ERA potential make him a premium saves prop target. The Guardians should win enough games to generate 35+ save opportunities.
Setup: The bullpen was bolstered with three additions. Shawn Armstrong (2.31 ERA in 2025) brings proven high-leverage experience. Connor Brogdon and Colin Holderman add velocity and depth to the 7th and 8th inning spots.
Development: Several pitching prospects could earn bullpen time, including Trevor Stephan and Jake Miller (2.86 ERA across AA/AAA). The Guardians have a proven track record of developing relievers, making their non-roster invitees worth monitoring.