The Guardians seemingly do nothing each offseason, plug-and-play guys, and keep winning. They have had just one losing season since 2012, with eight playoff appearances in that time. Constancy. Sweet, sweet constancy.
The downside is they have just one pennant in that time, and have not won a championship since 1948. The team did make a major investment in All-Star third baseman José Ramírez, signing him to a seven-year, $175 million contract extension this offseason. Despite that, they’re projected
to have the second-lowest payroll in baseball, par for the course for the franchise.
Cleveland Guardians
2025 record: 88-74
2026 PECOTA projection: 75-87
2026 ZIPS projection: 76-86
Manager: Stephen Vogt
Key additions: Shawn Armstrong, Rhys Hoskins
Key losses: Nic Enright, Jakob Junis, Jhonkensy Noel, Lane Thomas
Offense
The Guardians scored the third-fewest runs in baseball last year, despite an MVP-level performance by Ramírez. Steven Kwan is an All-Star-level performer as well, but he spent the entire offseason in trade rumors. The Guardians did get a breakout season from Kyle Manzardo, who terrorized Royals pitchers by hitting .382/.512/.794 with three home runs in 11 games against them. They brought over former Phillies and Brewers slugger Rhys Hoskins on a minor league deal, hoping he has something left in the tank at age 32 after suffering through a thumb injury last year.
The club is really banking on the farm system supplementing this lineup. Chase DeLauter is ranked as the #34 prospect in the game by Baseball America, but was limited to just 42 games in the minors last year due to a wrist injury. First baseman CJ Kayfus, outfielders Kahlil Watson and Ralphy Velazquez, and former #1 overall pick Travis Bazzana could also contribute this summer.
All statistics from 2025.
Pitching
Pitching has been the calling card for the Guardians in the last decade, and they finished with the fourth-best ERA in baseball. They are hurt by the loss of Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, both on non-paid disciplinary leave and facing federal indictments for their roles in a gambling scheme. Gavin Williams was one of the best pitchers in baseball after the All-Star break last year, with a 2.18 ERA that ranked third-best in the second half. Cleveland got 888 innings from their starters last year, second-most in baseball. Lefty Joey Cantillo could be poised for a breakout season, with a change-up that got a 49 percent whiff rate last year.
Even without Clase for part of the year, the Guardians had one of the best bullpens in baseball last season. Cade Smith will presumably take over closing duties after leading all relievers in fWAR last year. The only MLB free agent the team signed was Shawn Armstrong, who pitched effectively last year in Texas.
All statistics from 2025.
The Guardians are projected by most systems to be a losing team this year, but Stephen Vogt has twice won Manager of the Year by beating expectations. The Royals won just 5 of 13 games against the Guardians last year, so a better showing could help their chances in the standings. But don’t count the Guardians out, they just seem to find ways to win.
