Meaningful Upgrades Left for the Guardians
Which moves still make sense for Cleveland in January
The Guardians have been active this offseason, but with around 7 weeks left until Spring Training, the roster could still stand some improvement. Should fans expect any moves?
Well, in a word, no. I suspect the Guardians, aside from non-roster invites, are mostly done with their 2025 roster. As it stands, Opening Day is probably something like:
1. Kwan LF
2. Manzardo DH
3. Jose 3B
4. Santana 1B
5. Thomas CF
6. Noel RF
7. Naylor C
8. Brito 2B
9. Rocchio SS
Bench:
Hedges C
Brennan OF
Freeman OF/IF
Arias IF/OF
Rotation:
Bibee
Williams
Ortiz
Lively
McKenzie
Bullpen:
Avila
Sabrowski
Aleman
Walters
Herrin
Smith
Gaddis
Clase
By June/July, David Fry and Shane Bieber help to fortify things if all goes well. Logan Allen, Joey Cantillo, Doug Nikhazy, Slade Cecconi and Austin Peterson provide some good starting pitching depth, and Nick Enright and Trevor Stephan provide helpful bullpen arms in waiting (along with the usual calvalcade of fungible Cleveland relief arms populating their farm system). Notably, Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana are rising through the minor leagues with DeLauter seemingly on the cusp of the bigs. IF/OF Daniel Schneemann, OF Johnathan Rodriguez, OF/IF Angel Martinez, OF Petey Halpin, 1B/LF CJ Kayfus, C Cooper Ingle and maybe George Valera also provide some useful position player depth at the upper levels.
But, to me, there remain too glaring needs on this roster: First, Carlos Santana shouldn't be your cleanup hitter and Will Brennan shouldn't be your strongside platoon option in right field. So, a middle of the order hitter who can play right field is needed. Luckily, Anthony Santander remains unsigned. He had a bad year defensively in right in 2024, but has been average there for his career. He put up a 129 wRC+ with pretty even splits as a switch-hitter. He's only 30 years old. Time to bring him home. There is about $40 million left before Cleveland’s payroll would hit even $150 million, they just got an extra comp pick which they would sacrifice in signing Santander. Let DeLauter earn his way in centerfield, show his health in full.
Second, the rotation needs some proven veteran innings-eating. I like the upside of Williams, Ortiz, Cantillo, Cecconi, and even McKenzie. But that's a lot of risk and very little floor. The team needs a veteran who can throw 175 good innings. They've been rumored to be pursuing Erick Fedde: just get it done. You've got a top five farm system; make it happ'n, cap'n.
Now, you all know that the Santander idea is a pipe dream. And I honestly don't know what else the team does there. Maybe they can pry a Jesus Sanchez away from Miami, but will they see that as a clear upgrade from Brennan and worth potentially blocking DeLauter? I doubt it. I suspect we will see someone brought in on an NRI... maybe Jayson Heyward, who has some pulled fly-ball abilities. Heyward is insurance in case Brennan doesn't look any better than he did in October 2024 and in case Jhonk can't stop swinging at sliders in the other batter's box. And maybe they bring Alex Wood of someone of his ilk in on an NRI as an innings-eater type.
I feel like the Fedde deal or something of its type is most likely. It's only $7.5 million and a good prospect or two, which would seem to fit both the budget and the use of available resources. But, I also won't count my chickens before their hatched.
While I am bitterly disappointed that this offseason doesn't SEEM like it holds any bold strokes like the Andrew Miller trade of 2016 or the Encarnacion signing in advance of 2017, I am also very excited to see players like Brito, Noel, and DeLauter get significant playing time. So, if I can't have Santander, I wish for the team not to play service time games and let the best player win the second base and right field jobs in spring. Heck, let Arias and Rocchio duke it out for shortstop responsibilities. Make this roster a collection of guys who fight and earn their way on to a team looking to win the AL Pennant. Then, keep your powder dry for a July upgrade or two as needed. It's not my preference, it bums me out to know Santander isn't a real option... but I am ready to see the Guardians surpass expectations again. And I'll be rooting them on every step of the way.