Welcome back to the Guardians Beat newsletter. My name is Tim Stebbins, and this is my first season covering Cleveland for MLB.com. |
CLEVELAND -- Eight days ago, a champagne shower overtook the Guardians’ clubhouse at Progressive Field while they celebrated clinching their second consecutive American League Central title. Four days later, players were beginning to pack up the belongings in their lockers. With a 6-3 loss to Detroit on Thursday in Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series, Cleveland’s season came to a sudden end. “It's a cliché, but everybody says it and it's true. There's no ending of the season,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “It doesn't end gradually. It just halts.” The Guardians’ fan base will not soon forget a magical September that punctuated a season full of twists and turns. But the organization’s attention now must turn to 2026. Here are five questions Cleveland faces heading into the winter. 1. How will they bolster the offense?
The Guardians scuffled offensively for extended stretches in 2025. They ranked 28th in MLB in runs per game (3.97) and OPS+ (85). Overall, Cleveland hit .226 (29th in MLB), its lowest single-season batting average in franchise history. A lineup full of up-and-coming homegrown hitters flashed at points this year, and the group collectively will look to take a step forward in 2026. But adding someone from outside the organization would make a lot of sense, perhaps in the form of an outfielder who hits right-handed.
The Guardians had a .224/.290/.357 slash line against lefties in 2025. Their center fielders slashed .199/.256/.318, and their right fielders slashed .202/.370/.335. A veteran joining the outfield mix could provide stability and take pressure off youngsters who figure to impact the big league team next year, such as C.J. Kayfus, George Valera and Chase DeLauter (Cleveland’s No. 2 prospect, No. 58 overall).
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2. What is Steven Kwan’s future? Kwan’s name was featured in chatter leading up to the July 31 Trade Deadline. He has two seasons of club control remaining. He is nearing the point at which Cleveland has previously dealt players with whom they were unable to reach multiyear contract extensions. It would not be surprising if teams inquire about Kwan this winter, and perhaps the Guardians would entertain moving him for a return that helps fill other offseason needs. However, he has expressed a desire to remain with the Guardians long term, and the two-time All-Star is a core piece of this team. Can the two sides work out an extension that keeps him in Cleveland for years to come? |
3. Who will make up the catching mix? This really is a question of Austin Hedges’ status, as he is slated to become a free agent this offseason. Alongside Bo Naylor, David Fry is set to be back behind the dish in 2026, after he was limited to DH duties this season following his Tommy John surgery last November. The Guardians also promoted catcher Cooper Ingle (No. 4 prospect) to Triple-A Columbus on Aug. 11. Cleveland has some depth here, but Hedges is a team leader whom Guardians pitchers love throwing to. A reunion could make a lot of sense, especially given Fry’s ability to play multiple positions. |
4. How does the rotation stack up? Cleveland pivoting to a six-man rotation in late August propelled it to the postseason. But a six-man staff is tough to pull off over a 162-game season, given how it leaves the bullpen with one fewer arm. It means the Guardians may be operating from a surplus heading into the new year.
The Guardians are in a position of strength with Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, Slade Cecconi, Logan Allen, Parker Messick and Joey Cantillo. There’s also John Means, who signed a one-year deal in February with a club option for 2026, but did not pitch in ’25 while he recovered from Tommy John surgery. It will be curious how they view that group and who fits in what role. |
5. When can we expect to see Travis Bazzana?
Bazzana (Cleveland’s No. 1 prospect, No. 17 overall) was promoted to Columbus on Aug. 11. He appears on track to make his MLB debut next season. Bazzana played in 84 games this season (26 with Columbus). The 2024 No. 1 overall Draft pick suffered an internal right oblique strain in May and missed two months, and he missed the final week of the Triple-A season due to left flank soreness. It might make sense for him to open 2026 in Triple-A, affording him at-bats against higher-level pitching in a less pressure-packed environment. But Bazzana has flown up the farm system ladder, and an early-season big league promotion feels well within reach. And although it was a small sample, he was heating up in September with Columbus before his injury (1.163 OPS in nine games). |
MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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• The Division Series is ramping up, and MLB.com has you covered with the full schedule. Read more >>
• Julio Rodríguez’s home run in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Tigers on Saturday snapped a 24-year drought for the Mariners. My colleague, Daniel Kramer, has the full story. Read more >>
• And speaking of big home runs, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit the first grand slam in Blue Jays playoff history in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Yankees on Sunday. MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson breaks down the big moment. Read more >>
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“The resiliency that this group showed is incredible. I think that we should take a ton of pride in that and have a ton of confidence in that, that that's something that we build on. We know that whatever happens, whatever amount of adversity we're dealing with, this group can still stick together through that, and play and compete with anybody, and be stronger for it.” -- Cade Smith, on the Guardians’ perseverance to reach the postseason through the highs and lows of their 2025 season |
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