Two paths diverged in a wood – and Paul Dolan chose the one that allowed for the most financial flexibility.
I can see two, general options for the Guardians overall offseason approach:
Path #1: Mostly Status Quo:
Additions: Guardians re-sign Lane Thomas on a very cheap 1-year pillow deal (or equivalent veteran right-handed outfielder), Jakob Junis (or equivalent veteran reliever), and Austin Hedges. They make some smaller trades or signings for other distressed assets they view as worthy of their maximizing
talents (think Matthew Boyd or Ben Lively). Maybe they get a little spicy and add Luis Rengifo as well. So, the 26-man to start the season looks something like:
Catcher: Bo Naylor
First Base: CJ Kayfus
Second Base: Juan Brito
Shortstop: Brayan Rocchio
Third Baseman: Jose Ramirez
Left Fielder: Steven Kwan
Center Fielder: Chase DeLauter
Right Fielder: George Valera
Designated Hitter: Kyle Manzardo
Bench:
Backup Catcher: Austin Hedges
Infielder: Luis Rengifo (Or Gabriel Arias, or Daniel Schneemann)
Outfielder: Lane Thomas (Or Angel Martinez or Petey Halpin or Kahlil Watson)
Super Utility: David Fry
Travis Bazzana cooking at Columbus.
Rotation:
Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, Slade Cecconi, Parker Messick, John Means
Bullpen:
Joey Cantillo, Kolby Allard, Matt Festa, Tim Herrin, Jakob Junis, Erik Sabrowski, Hunter Gaddis, Cade Smith
Ben Lively, Austin Peterson, Andrew Walters, Kahl Stephen, Yorman Gomez, and Daniel Espino as depth.
Trade Logan Allen by the end of Spring Training if everyone else is healthy.
Path #2: One Last Ride:
Re-sign Hedges and Thomas as above.
Trade Steven Kwan, OF to Cincinnati Reds for Luis Mey, RHP and Cam Collier, 3B
Trade Travis Bazzana, LHH 2B, Kahlil Watson, LHH CF and Gabriel Arias, SS to Arizona Diamondbacks for Ketel Marte, SH 2B
Trade Logan Allen, LHP and Josh Hartle, LHP to the Angels for Taylor Ward, RHH OF
Sign LHH First Baseman Ryan O’Hearn to a 3 year $54M deal
Sign Griffin Canning on a Matthew Boyd/John Means prove-it deal
Catcher: Bo Naylor
First Baseman: Ryan O’Hearn
Second Baseman: Ketel Marte
Third Baseman: Jose Ramirez
Shortstop: Brayan Rocchio
Left Field: Taylor Ward
Center Field: Chase DeLauter
Right Field: George Valera
Designated Hitter: Kyle Manzardo
Utility Outfielder: Lane Thomas
Catcher: Austin Hedges
Infielder: Daniel Schneemann
Super Utility: David Fry
Juan Brito, CJ Kayfus and Petey Halpin still here as valuable reserves.
Rotation: Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, Parker Messick, Slade Cecconi and John Means
Bullpen: Joey Cantillo, Kolby Allard, Tim Herrin, Luis Mey, Hunter Gaddis, Erik Sabrowski and Cade Smith
In reserve, Ben Lively, Griffin Canning, Austin Peterson, Daniel Espino, Yorman Gomez
I have primarily written this scenario to try to include as many possible scenarios to show how significantly the Guardians could improve this roster if they are willing to invest a little financial and prospect resources. Ward should get traded if the Angels have a brain and I overpaid for him here because I imagine they’ll still be stupid about him. Marte had some rumors of being discontent in AZ so I picture a scenario where they trade him for the future Ketel Marte in Bazzana and the Guardians make the sacrifice to win now. Which is a silly thought. But, still, picture, if you will, this lineup:
- DeLauter CF
- Marte 2B
- Ramirez 3B
- O’Hearn 1B
- Ward LF
- Manzardo DH
- Valera/Thomas RF
- Bo/Fry C
- Rocchio SS
That is a top 10 offense in the league. Look how weirdly competent it looks. This world has been through a lot – it deserves to see José Ramirez and Ketel Marte in the same lineup for a bit.
I traded Kwan so they didn’t have to pay him AND Ward, Marte and O’Hearn, got back the next Clase in Luis Mey who is probably not a degenerate gambler (allegedly), and an interesting third baseman who has some red flags in his hitting profile.
I know we are getting the first option, probably with fewer or lesser additions than I list. But, hey, it’s fun to dream now and then.
I have to say that I feel better about the Guardians’ current collection of players than I did post-2024. But, this also makes me more desperate for even one significant addition. In any case, we will likely get an end-of-year presser this week and then we will see what direction the Guardians take from there as a momentous 2026 approaches.
