Guardians manager Stephen Vogt’s World Series take will get fans hyped for 2026 season

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt sets a World Series mandate for 2026, signaling a championship mindset shift in Cleveland.

By Josh Davis

Jan 15, 2026 at 8:06 PM ET

As the winter stretch unfolds, expectations surrounding the Cleveland Guardians have shifted in a way that no longer allows for ambiguity. Success is no longer framed around division titles or incremental progress. Under Stephen Vogt, the Guardians' mindset has moved decisively toward a championship-only standard well ahead of the 2026 season.

Vogt enters his third season as manager with a rare distinction already secured. He became the first manager in league history to win American League Manager of the Year in each of his first two seasons. His player-first leadership and tactical precision guided the Guardians to an 88–74 finish in 2025 despite posting the second-worst team batting average in the league at .226. That resume gives Vogt the authority to redefine what success looks like in Cleveland.

That became unmistakably evident on Thursday.

News 5 Cleveland's Mason Horodyski shared a video on X (formerly known as Twitter) capturing the Guardians manager delivering a blunt message that clarified the organization’s posture heading into spring training.

“If you don't show up to Spring Training expecting to win a World Series, then don't even come.”

The message was not delivered as motivational rhetoric. It functioned as policy. Following a disappointing Wild Card exit in 2025, Vogt made clear that Cleveland’s underdog framing is over. Division banners no longer satisfy a roster built around elite pitching development with emerging offensive upside.

Timing amplified the message. The Guardians manager delivered the statement during mid-winter media availability at Progressive Field, just weeks before pitchers and catchers report to Goodyear. The directive serves as a filter. Anyone boarding the flight to Arizona must share a rings-or-nothing mindset.

The message is especially important for the next wave of talent. Top prospects Travis Bazzana and Chase DeLauter enter 2026 with championship expectations embedded from the start rather than developmental patience. Vogt is shaping the culture before roles are even assigned.

The context only sharpens the message. After leading the Guardians to a second straight AL Central title and a historic 15.5-game comeback in 2025, Vogt is no longer asking for belief. He is setting the standard for what comes next.

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Is Kyle Tucker three times more valuable than José Ramírez? Reaction to Dodgers’ $240 million shocker

Published: Jan. 16, 2026, 11:20 a.m.

By Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Baseball’s financial divide between small and large market teams has never been more stark. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ stunning four-year, $240 million contract with outfielder Kyle Tucker has left Cleveland baseball insiders questioning the sport’s economic structure and what constitutes fair value for elite players.

The jaw-dropping deal, which will pay Tucker an average of $60 million annually, prompted immediate comparisons to the contract of the Guardians’ own superstar, José Ramírez, who will earn $21 million this year despite comparable or superior production.

“Four years, $240 million. Kyle Tucker’s average annual salary, $60 million.

José Ramírez, only makes $21 million. Is Kyle Tucker three times more valuable than

José Ramírez? The answer to that is no, by the way. The answer to that is no," Cleveland.com reporter Joe Noga declared emphatically during the latest Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast.

The comparison highlights the vast disparity between how small and large market teams operate financially. While Ramírez has consistently produced MVP-caliber seasons and ranks among baseball’s elite players, his salary remains a fraction of what top players command on the open market.

Paul Hoynes, veteran Guardians beat writer, attributed the difference to timing and personal choice. “Timing is everything. When José signed that contract with Cleveland, he knew he left millions on the table. There’s no doubt about it. But he was looking for peace. He got that in Cleveland. And Kyle Tucker yesterday got the big bucks,” Hoynes explained.

The contrast becomes even more striking when examining Tucker’s recent production. Despite being an excellent player, Tucker appeared in just 78 games for Houston in 2024 and, while productive with the Cubs last season, posted numbers that hardly seem to justify becoming baseball’s highest-paid position player on an annual basis.

Perhaps most shocking is how Tucker’s contract compares to other established superstars. “Aaron Judge is making $40 million in 2026. Kyle Tucker is going to make $20 million more than Aaron Judge in the first year of that contract. That’s insanity to me,” Noga observed, highlighting how Tucker will earn substantially more than the Yankees’ slugger who broke the American League home run record in 2024.

The Dodgers’ willingness to invest so heavily in Tucker also reflects their approach to roster construction. With stars like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman already on the roster, Los Angeles has assembled what amounts to an All-Star team at nearly every position.

This super-team approach stands in stark contrast to Cleveland’s model of developing homegrown talent and making calculated additions. While the Guardians have remained competitive through excellent player development and smart resource allocation, the financial disparity with teams like the Dodgers creates an uneven playing field.

For Cleveland fans, the comparison offers a bittersweet reminder of Ramírez’s loyalty. By choosing to remain with the Guardians rather than seeking maximum value on the open market, Ramírez prioritized stability and community connection over financial maximization — a decision that’s increasingly rare in modern sports.

The Tucker signing also raises questions about baseball’s economic system. While the luxury tax was designed to create some measure of competitive balance, teams like the Dodgers have demonstrated a willingness to exceed these thresholds significantly, creating a tier of super-spenders that operate under different constraints than most organizations.

As the 2026 season approaches, the Guardians will once again rely on their developmental pipeline and strategic approach rather than financial might. And while José Ramírez may be drastically underpaid relative to his value, his presence as the cornerstone of Cleveland’s lineup remains invaluable.

For the complete discussion about baseball’s financial disparities and more insights from Guardians insiders, check out the full episode of the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast with Joe Noga and Paul Hoynes, where they break down all the latest developments in Cleveland and around the major leagues.

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Guardians not expected to lower 2026 expectations amid league-altering news

The Guardians finished last season 14 games above .500, with 2026 expected to be an uphill climb to reach a mark like that.

Cade Cracas

2 hours ago

League-altering moves very rarely happen, at least those that seemingly put a team well and beyond every other organization in baseball, including the Cleveland Guardians.

The Los Angeles Dodgers did just that by signing Kyle Tucker to add to their formidable lineup. For months now, they've been piecing together an even better roster following back-to-back World Series titles. The front office has added one of the league's best remaining free agents, who signed a four-year, $240 million deal that includes opt-outs after the second and third seasons.

However, even though this move solidifies the Dodgers even further as the team-to-beat, the Guardians aren't going to let the power-house in Los Angeles stray them away from the team's goals. Following the Dodgers' eye-catching decision to add Tucker to an already near-unstoppable offense, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt remained optimistic about the 2026 season.

"The calendar flips, it's baseball season," Vogt said. "If you don't show up to Spring Training expecting to win a World Series, then don't even come.

"You never know what's going to happen over the next 162 games."

Guardians focused on winning World Series

Throughout the 2026 offseason, the Guardians haven't done much.

The front office has gone out and signed three relievers: Shawn Armstrong, Colin Holderman and Connor Brogdon to one-year deals with the club with hopes of bolstering the bullpen.

They've also added a few minor league prospects that may end up seeing time in the majors at some point in 2026, with Carter Kieboom being one of the more interesting reserves. He's a utility piece who's bounced around between teams the past few seasons, but in the minors, knocked a .319 batting average in 2025.

Even if the Guardians' front office remains tight and doesn't add any ceiling-raising free agents, Vogt won't be changing his expectations.

"We expect to go out and win every night," Vogt said. "We are trying to win as many games as we can so we can have a chance to win a World Series. I think when that's our expectation, whatever expectations or pressure is coming in from the outside, it's not as much as the pressure we put on ourselves."

The two-time AL Coach of the Year has a mindset that not many in baseball have right now, as the recent moves by the Dodgers suggest that the competitiveness of the sport is lost. Tucker is going to slot into the lineup next to Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Will Smith, Max Muncy and some of baseball's other top players.

While the Dodgers have elite, experienced players, Cleveland has numerous talented prospects with a high-chance of playing real time on the major league roster in 2026. The only question now is if a home-grown bunch of raw, talented youngsters can find a way to deploy that so-called "Guards Ball" and compete against teams like the Dodgers.

The Guardians will kickstart spring training on Saturday, Feb. 21, with a matchup against the Cincinnati Reds slated for 3:05 p.m.

It'll be an opportunity to see the new-look 2026 Guardians, rather than the 2025 team with a few minor additions, as they look to find another AL Central title and march into the MLB Postseason to fight for a chance to upset the Dodgers.

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Emmanuel Clase defense strategy: Admit torturing roosters in cockfights to deny gambling charge

Published: Jan. 17, 2026, 7:11 a.m.

By Today in Ohio | cleveland.com
In a legal strategy thtt baffles Today in Ohio podcast hosts, former Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase has unveiled a defense in his federal gambling case that might be even more damaging to his reputation than the original charges.

According to Clase’s attorneys, those suspicious text messages that prosecutors identified as coded discussions about rigged pitches? They weren’t about baseball at all—they were about cockfighting, Leila Atassi said on Friday’s episode..

The defense has filed affidavits claiming Clase operated what they describe as a “completely legal rooster fighting operation” in the Dominican Republic. They further assert that one of the bettors prosecutors identified was actually placing wagers on game fowl, not on pitches thrown for the Guardians.

Clase and fellow Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz are charged with taking money from gamblers to throw first pitch balls. The gamblers then used the inside information to collect big returns.

This bettor in the Clase case claims he never received inside information or coordinated pitch outcomes, instead relying on his baseball knowledge and even ChatGPT to make the prop bets that gave him his big cash return. According to the defense, his successful betting streak was simply luck, not the result of a coordinated scheme with Clase.

Chris Quinn, the podcast host, was quick to point out the moral contradiction in this defense strategy: “There are a whole lot of people who don’t think we should have cockfighting because it’s incredibly cruel. It tears these creatures apart. It’s a horrible way for them to die. And personally, I would rather say I cheated on baseball than I tortured creatures.”

Prosecutors aren’t buying the cockfighting explanation either. They note that the claim was made before criminal charges were even filed, and at least one witness has already recanted the story. Clase and Ortiz remain charged with conspiring to rig pitches and help betters win nearly half a million dollars, with their trial set for May.

Atassi highlighted a particularly unbelievable aspect of the defense’s narrative: “The key witness says he and Clase were very close friends. Close enough that he stayed at Clase’s house when he was visiting in Cleveland. He ran errands for the family, and he even ordered Dominican food from New York to make him feel at home. And yet we’re supposed to believe… that this guy just knew Clase so well that he could predict pitch selection and velocity at a level of sophistication to fuel hundreds of thousands of dollars in prop bets? I mean, come on, bruh.”

Quinn believes this unusual defense strategy will ultimately backfire for Clase: “I think this is going to make his reputation worse. He’ll probably get convicted of the gambling. And now we know he also operates cockfighting rings. What a wonderful human being.”

The case takes on additional significance in light of growing concerns about the integrity of sports amid a wave of gambling scandals. As Quinn warned during the podcast, “If you watch sports, you think it’s a contest between two teams. If you think it’s fixed, you’re not going to watch it.”

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Will MLB say cockfighting is legal there, so we can't do anything. If domestic abuse was legal there, would MLB stick their noses. Ban him for life and send him back from whence he came.

Newest update on David Fry's 2026 role should be music to Guardians fan’s ears

By Henry Palattella

1 hour ago

Last year was clearly not David Fry at his best.

After earning a surprising All-Star nod for the Guardians in 2024, Fry was behind the eight ball for all of the 2025 campaign due to offseason Tommy John surgery that kept him off the field until the start of June and limited to the designated hitter spot once he got on it.

But Fry should be healthy at the start of 2026 (even after getting hit square in the face by a Tarik Skubal fastball), and should get back to moving all around the diamond, which will go a long way toward helping the Guardians’ offense improve after its lackluster 2025 season.

David Fry seems healthy and ready to contribute to the Guardians in 2026

On Friday, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt held court with the team’s beat over Zoom and was asked about Fry’s status for 2026, where he said that Fry will “concentrate on catching through most of spring training,” per Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes.

While Vogt added that Fey will start playing other positions toward the end of spring, having him behind the plate is the best case scenario for a Guardians team that needs a healthy season from him.

Fry underwent nasal surgery due to the injuries sustained by Sukbal's fastball, but it seems like his recovery from that won't dip into the spring.

As mentioned above, Fry didn’t return to the diamond until last June, and he ended up hitting just .171 across 66 games while only being able to play at designated hitter. While he managed to hit eight home runs, he had an on-base percentage of just .229 and hamstrung the Guardians’ lineup a bit with his lack of positional flexibility.

But it looks like that will be a thing of the past in 2026, which will help both the catching situation and the lineup as a whole.

The Guardians have a left-handed heavy lineup, and Fry is one of three right-handed hitters on the 40-man roster alongside Austin Hedges and Johnathan Rodríguez.

Fry has played every position but second base, shortstop and center field in his career and made a name for himself as a valuable bench bat and matchup piece for Vogt.

The 2024 season was Fry at the height of his powers and he was named an All-Star for the first time in his career on the back of a first half where he hit .279 while playing all over the diamond, and he etched his name into Guardians lore with a huge walk-off home run against the Yankees in the American League Championship Series.

Even though his rough 2025 showing took some of the shine away from that stellar year, he seems poised to be an impact player for the Guardians in 2026.

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How the Dolans do Business: Why the Cleveland Guardians Won’t Spend

by Mario Crescibene

Jan 18, 2026, 12:51 PM CST

The Dolans Are Who We Thought They Were

We’ve all seen the headlines reporting Kyle Tucker is headed to the Dodgers and Bo Bichette is heading to the Mets. Meanwhile, the Cleveland headlines have been relatively silent this offseason. As Cleveland fans, we can’t help but wonder if we’re wasting José Ramírez’s best years. But at this point, hoping the Dolans will invest in the team is just wishful thinking. Because the Dolans are who we thought they were.

The Dolans’ frugality isn’t anything new. It’s a pattern. Look at the Guardians’ spending over the last five years — they’ve consistently ranked at the bottom of the league in payroll, normally ranking no higher than 25th in the league. Year after year, it’s always been the same story.

Fans have a right to be frustrated. Despite the bottom-tier payroll, we’ve fielded competitive teams — winning the division and making the playoffs three times in that 5-year span — but we haven’t won that championship yet. When you watch other contenders add impact talent while Cleveland sits idle, it’s hard not to feel like the Dolans have financially abandoned Cleveland. And while we can be frustrated at the refusal to invest, we can also take a step back and understand the business plan the Dolans are using to maximize their franchise’s value.

The reality is that the Dolans are businessmen: they’re not trying to win championships — they’re trying to build value. And so they’ve built a system designed to be self-sustaining without requiring major investments: develop prospects, trade them at peak value for more prospects, and stockpile the minors until there’s a backlog of talent waiting at every level. You can see the system is close to its final iteration… but we haven’t seen the completed vision yet — where from Single-A to the majors we’ve got a pipeline of prospects that keeps producing. And with the Dolans selling the team soon, they are hoping that their strategy for maximizing franchise value pays off.

That’s what makes this offseason’s approach make sense. When you’re selling a team, past championships don’t really add value for the new owner - those championships have already happened. What a buyer wants to see is a system ready to win multiple championships in the future: A stocked farm system, talent at every level, and a proven development pipeline that doesn’t require massive payroll investment. That’s what the Dolans have been trying to build. That’s what they’re hoping to sell to David Blitzer — cashing in at peak value — just like with their players. For the Dolans, it’s never been about winning championships; it’s always been about showing the next owner they’re buying a franchise built like a machine, not just a brand name and a major league roster.

But as fans, it’s fair to ask the question: does the system even work? Sure, they’ve proven they can develop pitchers as quality arms announce themselves year after year. But when it comes to hitters? They’ve struck out far too often. Jhonkensy Noel didn’t develop. Nolan Jones is trending toward bust territory as is Arias. Now we’re banking on George Valera, Chase DeLauter, Jaison Chourio — the prospects names are piling up but no one has proven that they are the next Cleveland great. The pipeline keeps growing, but the prospects keep failing to deliver. While fans hope for spending, the Dolans hope for development. So far, neither hope has paid off.

And while we can understand the business logic, the frustration remains. Yet another billionaire chooses profit over legacy, electing to maximize his own financial returns while the fans and players pay the price. Watching José Ramírez — a Hall of Famer who gave the Dolans a massive hometown discount — give everything he has every single night, only to see ownership refuse to surround him with championship-caliber talent, feels like an insult.

So, as fans, we are left hoping that this group of prospects breaks through. We have to hope that the system proves the Dolans right. That their ultimate vision has finally been realized: that Valera holds down right field, that DeLauter can man center, that the new wave proves they belong. Because hoping the Dolans will change and start spending? We know better than that.

Because the Dolans are who we thought they were.

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Guardians pay a premium for Shawn Armstrong while Rangers snap up Jakob Junis in calculated bullpen exchange

Published: Jan. 19, 2026, 11:04 a.m.

By Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians and Rangers effectively swapped veteran relievers this offseason, but with a notable difference - Cleveland was willing to pay significantly more for their new addition. The Guardians signed Shawn Armstrong after his stellar season with Texas, while the Rangers picked up Jakob Junis, who impressed during his one-year stint in Cleveland. The price difference? About $1.5 million more for Armstrong, indicating Cleveland’s calculated gamble on bullpen talent.

The move surprised many given Junis’ solid contributions to the Guardians last season. As Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com Guardians beat reporter, noted: “Junis was out there for a long time and he had really kind of surpassed expectations for Cleveland this past season. He was 4-1, 2.97 ERA, 57 games, 55 strikeouts, 18 walks and 66 2/3 innings. He did a great job.”

So why would the Guardians pay more for Armstrong? The answer lies in the numbers. Joe Noga, cleveland.com Guardians beat reporter, broke down the statistical comparison: “If you’re looking at just the wins above replacement, the WAR number from Baseball Reference, Armstrong’s was a 1.5 WAR last season and Junis 0.9. Armstrong 4-3 with a 2.31 ERA, 71 games, 74 innings. He struck out 74 batters and had a 0.811 WHIP.”

That statistical edge – particularly Armstrong’s impressive 0.811 WHIP – appears to have convinced Cleveland’s front office that he was worth the additional investment. The deal also includes an $8 million option for 2027, though as Noga mentioned, “remains to be seen whether or not the Guardians will pick that up based on whatever Armstrong does.”

There’s also the age factor to consider. Armstrong will pitch at 35 this upcoming season, while Junis turns 33. This adds another layer of risk to Cleveland’s decision, investing more in the older arm.

For Hoynes, the move signals a clear priority for the Guardians: “I think it shows just how much they were committed to improving that bullpen.”

This commitment comes with strategic implications for the 2026 season. Manager Stephen Vogt has yet to establish exactly how he’ll deploy Armstrong, having admitted he hasn’t had much opportunity to speak with the veteran reliever. However, the plan appears to position Armstrong in high-leverage situations to complement closer Cade Smith.

“He’s going to be in that sort of veteran, late inning leverage spot,” Noga explained on the podcast. “He’ll give Cade Smith opportunities to get rest and he can save a game or two but mostly it’ll be to support and set up. Somewhere in that 7, 8, 9 inning range for Cleveland.”

The bullpen swap highlights different approaches by the two organizations. While Texas “cleaned house” in their bullpen according to Noga, the Guardians are making targeted investments in areas they believe need strengthening. For Cleveland fans, the true value of this $1.5 million premium will only be determined when Armstrong takes the mound in the late innings of close games this season.

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Bulked-up Manzardo ready to flex at first for Guardians

8:55 AM CST

CLEVELAND -- Baseball’s offseason is an opportunity for players to reset following the grind of the 162-game season. Along with that, the weeks and months leading up to Spring Training are primed for guys to work, whether it's on the physical side of things, mechanical or otherwise.

Kyle Manzardo has been working. Manager Stephen Vogt has noted on several occasions over the past month-plus that the 25-year-old has gained 14 pounds of muscle since the end of the 2025 season. It’s been part of Manzardo’s offseason regimen that appears pointed toward a specific goal that could prove key to Cleveland this coming season.

“For Kyle, I've talked with him about, ‘Be ready to play first base,’” Vogt told local media during a Zoom session last week. “I think for Kyle to play first base four to five days a week, that puts us in the best position possible to be successful.

“He's putting in the work both offensively, defensively -- and most importantly, with his body -- to be able to do that.”

Manzardo is set to be one of the Guardians’ most important position players in 2026. He’s the leading candidate to provide immediate protection behind José Ramírez in the lineup, which is a role he often filled in his first full big league season last year. Along the way, Manzardo ranked second on the team in home runs (27), RBIs (70) and OPS (.768), trailing only Ramírez in each of these categories.

Manzardo’s importance also extends to the defensive side of things. The Guardians wanted him to add strength this winter to get his body physically prepared for more reps at first base and to help him sustain his success over the course of the summer.

“He’s starting to really focus on his body and getting bigger and stronger,” Vogt added last week. “I think for Kyle, going through your first full season in the big leagues is a different monster. Until you've played 162 games and gone through the rigors of eight months of getting your body prepared every day, you don't know what that feels like.

“Now Kyle does, and he's showing it in his winter work by putting on the weight that he has.”

Last season, Carlos Santana led the Guardians in starts at first (92) despite his eventual release on Aug. 28, and the 39-year-old was named a Gold Glove Award finalist. Manzardo ranked second in starts there (53), and he made another 68 starts as the designated hitter.

This season, the Guardians’ first-base options also include C.J. Kayfus and David Fry -- both of whom have versatility to play other positions. If the Guardians can pencil Manzardo in at first a handful of times each week, it will provide Vogt more flexibility with the DH spot. That’s always valuable for any team, and it may be especially so for Cleveland this season.

Chase DeLauter and George Valera will be in the mix for a spot on the Opening Day roster, and both could be prominent factors in the outfield picture. Given the tough injury luck both experienced in the Minor Leagues, DH could be an avenue to keep DeLauter or Valera’s bat in the lineup on days they’re not playing the field.

That approach of getting a player off his feet also can be applied to anyone on the Guardians’ roster, and none of that would preclude the club from getting Manzardo time at DH.

Along with first base, Kayfus also showed he can play a steady right field in 2025. Fry will return to playing the field after he was limited to DH and pinch-hitting last season coming off offseason Tommy John surgery. He could draw starts at first against left-handed pitching.

The Guardians have options at first base, and Manzardo will enter Spring Training as a crucial piece to the equation.

Tim Stebbins covers the Guardians for MLB.com.

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3 Guardians players who need to bounce back if Cleveland wants to compete in 2026

By Henry Palattella

1 hour ago

While the Cleveland Guardians made it back to the postseason in 2025, one of the biggest reasons it happened is because of their strong September combined with a historic collapse from the Tigers.

And that win gets even more impressive when you consider the fact the Guardians’ got next to no production from a variety of everyday players on their roster.

Although they haven’t added a truly impact player in free agency, part of the reason for that is because the front office seems to have faith that they’re going to get some bounce back performances from players who struggled last season.

Here are three Guardians who fall into that category.

The Guardians are going to need more from David Fry, Tim Herrin and Nolan Jones in 2026

Utility David Fry

It’s hard to overstate how important Fry is to the Guardians’ lineup. Not only would he help add some balance to the team’s left-handed heavy lineup, but he’d also provide Stephen Vogt with a chess piece to use given his positional flexibility.

Fry returned from offseason Tommy John surgery last June and hit .171 while only being able to play at designated hitter, but Vogt has gone on the record to say that Fry is going to primarily work as a catcher during spring training.

Fry was able to author an All-Star season in 2024 thanks to his ability to move around the diamond and mash left-handed pitching, and it’s hard to believe he won’t get back to doing that in 2026 so long as he’s healthy.

Bo Naylor finished last year strong and is set to serve as the Guardians’ starting catcher yet again, but having Fry in the fold as a third option will do nothing but help.

Not only could he start at a different position and move to catcher later in a game, but he could also be a valuable matchup pinch hitter late in a game who could easily slide into any position afterward.

LHP Tim Herrin

After putting together a lockdown 2024 season, Herrin had a nightmare 2025 that included a mid-season demotion to Triple-A.

And while the 6.94 ERA he had posted after being recalled doesn’t look impressive, he held opponents scoreless in 11 of the 15 appearances he made in that time before throwing 1 1/3 impressive innings in the postseason.

The Guardians have added Shawn Armstrong, Connor Brogdon, Collin Holderman, Peyton Pallette to their bullpen this offseason along with bringing in Pedro Avila and Codi Heuer on minor league contracts.

The biggest reason for Herrin’s struggles last year was due to a lack of command (15.5% walk rate), but he still posted a whiff rate of 29.4% and barrel rate of just 5.3%.

While the Guardians’ front office has plenty of new faces who could replace Herrin, there’s still a lot to like about his profile even with his command struggles. He may not be the lock that he was last spring, but Herrin should still get plenty of chances to find his 2024 form.

OF Nolan Jones

The bounce back player to end all bounce back players. The Guardians reunited with Jones at the end of last spring training when they were able to wrestle him away from the insular Rockies by trading away Tyler Freeman.

That reunion went about as poorly as it could have, however, as Jones slashed just .211/.296/.304 with five home runs and 34 RBI in 136 games. The Guardians kept showing faith in Jones, but he never made it stand up outside of some big home runs late in the season.

That lack of production led to some thinking that the Guardians would cut Jones loose at the end of the season, but the Guardians elected to tender him a $2 million contract ahead of last November's deadline, which makes it seem like he’s going to be a big piece of the Guardians’ roster picture in 2026.

Jones finished 2025 with above average batted ball metrics, but he was clearly held back by his 28% strikeout rate. If he’s able to cut that down for next season then the sky’s the limit for Jones’ production.

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SHAWN ARMSTRONG


What's next for Tigers, Guardians, Twins, Royals, White Sox

Jesse Rogers

Jan 19, 2026, 07:00 AM ET

The American League Central hasn't produced many headline-grabbing moves this winter with the exception of the Chicago White Sox landing Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami.

Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers haven't traded Tarik Skubal, though their upcoming arbitration hearing with the ace will be one for the record books. And the Cleveland Guardians, Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins could make moves on the margins as spring training draws closer.

Let's take a look at each team's offseason activity and what might come next. Additionally, we've assigned each team an urgency rating -- from 1 to 5, based on how much each still needs to accomplish before reporting to camp:

1 -- Their work is (basically) done.

2 -- They're having a strong winter, but more would help.

3 -- We'll judge their winter on where it goes from here.

4 -- We're waaaaaiting ...

5 -- It has been a disaster. Can they turn it around?

Chicago White Sox

Key additions

INF Munetaka Murakami

What they've accomplished so far: Chicago has been a surprise team this winter, dipping into the overseas market for Murakami as well as lefty Anthony Kay, who returns after a stint in Japan. Left-hander Sean Newcomb also provides a veteran arm as the team attempts to take a step forward with a burgeoning offense and a mostly younger pitching staff. The additions help.

What they still need to do: The White Sox could use another outfielder after Michael Taylor retired and Mike Tauchman became a free agent. In fact, Tauchman is still available and might be worthy of a return engagement as he was a team leader last season. But let's not bury the lede -- the organization is still getting calls on Luis Robert Jr. Just like last year, the White Sox can hold onto him and revisit the matter in July or perhaps see how the spring plays out for opposing teams and their outfield health. Mostly, the organization needs its young players to take big steps in 2026.

Urgency Rating: 1

Cleveland Guardians

Key additions:

RHP Shawn Armstrong

What they've accomplished so far: It has been quiet in Cleveland, but the Guardians do most of their good work between the lines during the summer and not necessarily in the winter months. Adding Armstrong -- who had a tremendous season in Texas last year -- should help maintain the bullpen's dominant status going into 2026. It's a major strength of the organization seemingly every year.

What they still need to do: Cleveland probably isn't done adding to its pen. The Guardians will look for another arm before spring training, but it's their offense that needs the boost. A right-handed depth bat is a key need, but the organization is hoping for internal options at the plate as well. It could come in the form of budding prospects such as 2024 No. 1 draft pick Travis Bazzana. He still has work to do in the minors before making his debut. Chase DeLauter could make an impact as well after debuting late last season.

Urgency Rating: 4

Detroit Tigers

Key additions:

RHP Kenley Jansen
RHP Drew Anderson

What they've accomplished so far: Re-signing Kyle Finnegan and Gleyber Torres was just as important as the above additions, but Jansen gives the Tigers some gravitas at the back end of the bullpen assuming he still has plenty in the tank at 38. Anderson is an interesting addition, returning from the KBO. He'll be given a chance to start for a playoff contender.

What they still need to do: Address the elephant in the room: Tarik Skubal. Unsigned after next year, the team and player are set to go to arbitration over a wide gap in his salary for 2026. It would behoove the organization to attempt to settle this before the hearing, as ticking off the game's best pitcher probably isn't a good vibe heading into spring training. Settling his long-term future wouldn't hurt, either. But if the Tigers are to do great things on the field in 2026, they need Skubal. They also need to worry about their future, as trading him would presumably net a haul.

Urgency Rating: 3

Kansas City Royals

Key additions:

OF Isaac Collins
RHP Matt Strahm
RHP Nick Mears

What they've accomplished so far: Adding Collins should help with production from the outfield, which was lacking last season. No matter the position out there, the Royals ranked near the bottom of the league in OPS. Strahm and Mears fit in the bullpen, as the team traded Angel Zerpa for Collins (and Mears) but lost oft-injured reliever Hunter Harvey to free agency.

What they still need to do: The Royals' task hasn't changed: attempting to find more offense to put around all-world player Bobby Witt Jr. It's likely to come via a trade rather than any of the free agents left on the market. The team might still add to the bullpen, but there has been quite the roster churn for Kansas City so far. And remember, the Royals were active during trade season last July, so the roster will look very different on Opening Day this year as opposed to 2025.

Urgency Rating: 2

Minnesota Twins

Key additions:

1B Josh Bell

What they've accomplished so far: Bell replaces Ty France but other than that, the Twins haven't been overly active this winter. Outside of catcher Christian Vazquez becoming a free agent, the team is returning most of its roster.

What they still need to do: The starting staff is deep, but the Twins still need some work on their bullpen after trading from it last July. That's the most pressing need.

Urgency Rating: 3

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It looks like the Guardians have figured the best way to use Kyle Manzardo

About time.

By Henry Palattella

5 hours ago

Last season the Cleveland Guardians were desperate to get any kind of power out of their lineup.

While they got a customary 30 home run season from José Ramírez, their second biggest power output came from Kyle Manzardo, who mashed 27 home runs despite spending most of the year in a time share at first base alongside the light-hitting Carlos Santana.

The Guardians eventually turned the keys over to Manzardo at the end of the season, and it looks like that’s going to be the case once again in 2026.

Last week Guardians manager Stephen Vogt held court with the team’s beat via a virtual call on Zoom, where he said some great news in regard to Manzardo’s 2026 playing time.

“For Kyle, I've talked with him about, ‘Be ready to play first base,’” Vogt said, per MLB.com’s Tim Stebbins.

“I think for Kyle to play first base four to five days a week, that puts us in the best position possible to be successful. He's putting in the work both offensively, defensively -- and most importantly, with his body -- to be able to do that.”

Even if Vogt’s comments are a bit of cold comfort considering it seemed like he was in a position to be an everyday player last season, it’s still great news when thinking about the Guardians’ chances to compete next season.

Kyle Manzardo could be even better for the Guardians in 2026

Manzardo ended up finishing the 2025 season with a .234/.313/.455 slashline along with those 27 home runs and 70 home runs. Although he struck out 135 times (25.4% strikeout rate), Manzardo provided some Ramírez with some much-needed insurance while also recording three walk-off hits.

The Guardians’ trade for Manzardo looked like a win at the time (even if it almost resulted in a clubhouse mutiny at the time) and it’s only looked better as time has gone on. The Guardians have always struggled to develop power from their minor league hitters, so they thought out of the box and grabbed a ready-made power prospect in Manzardo.

Vogt’s right in saying that the best version of the Guardians’ lineup is one with Manzardo in there everyday, and he should have a clear path to do so next season.

There’s no Santana behind him since backup C.J. Kayfus can also play right field, and he also won’t have to worry about David Fry only being able to play as a designated hitter.

Manzardo spending more time at first base would also be a clear win in that it would provide another avenue for the Guardians to get Chase DeLauter, George Valera or another young player in the lineup via the designated hitter role.

Eighty-four of Manzardo’s appearances last season came at DH, so getting him in the field frees up more space for everyone.

The Guardians have stayed away from making a Major League addition to their lineup despite finishing last season with one of the worst units in all of baseball, so getting a strong season out of Manzardo is a need, not a want.

With that in mind, Vogt’s comments are an encouraging development.

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Travis Bazzana latest player comp should bring a smile to every Guardians’ fan’s face

By Henry Palattella

7 hours ago

Travis Bazzana has been the future of the Cleveland Guardians from the moment the Guardians made him the No. 1 pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. And for the first year and a half of his time with the Guardians, Bazzana worked on his game in the minors while being multiple rungs away from the big leagues.

That changed last season, however, as Bazzana started his season in Double-A and eventually made his way to Triple-A before suffering a season-ending oblique injury at the end of the season.

But that injury hasn’t dampened Bazzana’s star, as MLB Pipeline recently ranked him as the No. 17 prospect in baseball and also recently unveiled that he was the top second base prospect in baseball.

That story also included an interesting player comparison for Bazzana, as Jim Callis wrote that Bazzana’s potential production could be reminiscent of Diamondbacks All-Star Ketel Marte.

Guardians' Travis Bazzana earns comparison to Ketel Marte

Callis’ comparison came in a part of the story focusing on Bazzana’s ceiling, where he wrote:

“Bazzana went No. 1 overall in a loaded Draft because he has the pure hitting ability to win batting titles, along with solid power and the patience to draw plenty of walks. He could post production along the lines of what Ketel Marte does for the D-backs.”

While Bazzana is clearly one of the best prospects in all of baseball, a comparison to Marte is a bit of a new ground given the perceived differences in their game.

Marte was a bit of a late bloomer after starting his career with the Mariners, but he’s turned into one of the game’s best second baseman lately and has hit .288 with 64 home runs and 167 RBI across the past two seasons.

Bazzana, meanwhile, is known more for his contact skills more than the power that’s quickly becoming Marte’s calling card. But Callis shined a bit of a new light on Bazzana’s potential power in his story, as he included Bazzana on his list of second baseman prospects with the most power alongside Michael Arroyo, Max Anderson and Brice Matthews.

Although Bazzana has only hit .243 across his two minor league seasons, he’s also dealt with a variety of injuries and has also been a fast-riser. He has a career .384 on-base percentage in those two minor league seasons and had a .420 on-base percentage in the 26 games he played at Triple-A last season.

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MLB Pipeline is revealing their top prospects at each position throughout this week, leading up to their full top 100 reveal on January 23.

The Guardians have a slew of young players with promise, and now, one has been named the top prospect at their position.

Travis Bazzana's extremely high potential

The number one overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, Travis Bazzana, was named as the top second base prospect in baseball. Bazzana is one of two second basemen to make consecutive appearances on this list, along with Mariners’ Michael Arroyo (#2 overall second baseman).

Jim Callis breaks down the top tools for each prospect, with Bazzana being featured in all but one category. He and Demetrio Crisantes of the Arizona Diamondbacks were dubbed the prospects with the best hit tool. Bazzana straight up knows how to hit. He batted .360 at Oregon State and won the batting title at the 2023 Cape Cod League with a .375 average.

In his time in the minors, however, Bazzana has only hit .243, largely due to injuries he could not get healthy from. It is clear his bat-to-ball skills are there; he will just have to work on getting his timing back this spring to get to where he could and should be.

Bazzana was also named as a prospect with one of the best power tools. Callus says Bazzana is capable of 25+ home runs each season. Bazzana has 12 home runs in his minor league career, but his OPS is what catches the eye. With an average of only .243, having an OPS of .801 in his career shows that he has pop. He can get extra-base hits, and he can hit the long ball. Pair this with his bat-to-ball skill,s and pitchers will be terrified of facing him as he can get on base a litany of ways.

This leads into the next tool: speed. Bazzana was mentioned on this list as well. Bazzana had 12 steals last season in the minors. Being on a team like the Guardians, who thrive off of chaos on the base paths, and you could see this number approach 20, if not more. Combining the three of these tools and the projections along with them, it seems Bazzana may be set up to be a 20/20 guy at some point, if not multiple times, in his career.

Travis Bazzana also got a shoutout for his fielding. There are seven second basemen on this list that share the top defensive grade, but that grade is not above average. So while Bazzana has high marks in this class for fielding, he is not a world changer on the field, but he is also someone who can be reliable and make the plays he needs to make, with flashes of his athleticism.

What does this mean for Bazzana?

The most important portion of this list is the superlatives Callis lists at the end. Travis Bazzana was named the prospect with the highest ceiling and the highest floor.

While it is nice to have a high projected ceiling, having a high floor is arguably more important. As a number one overall pick, being at least average in the majors is expected. Some top picks do turn out to be total busts and hardly see MLB time. Others succeed and win awards right away. Bazzana has the skills to hit the ball, run the bases, and energize his team. He can perform in many different ways; he will prove valuable in several areas.

The high ceiling part is what should excite fans. There is a reason the Guardians did not trade for Ketel Marte and have not been included in Brendan Donovan discussions. That reason is Travis Bazzana. The team clearly sees him as the second baseman of the future and a potential All-Star.

Sure, Brayan Rocchio may not look sexy on the Opening Day roster, but come May, June, or July, Bazzana will be taking that everyday spot from Rocchio. This team has made it clear they will not block the paths of their young studs, and Bazzana is definitely one of those young studs they want to clear a path for.

For a team that did not make many moves over the offseason, plugging in their young guys and them having success is equal to signing free agents. If Bazzana and other young players perform to the expectations of the front office, fans will forget that the team was largely silent this winter.

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