The Guardians have been active this winter, but with only 7 weeks till Spring Training, the roster could still use some work. Should fans expect any moves?
In one word: no. I believe the Guardians, with the exception of non-roster invites, are nearly finished with their 2025 roster. As it stands, Opening Day probably looks like this:
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
If all goes well, David Fry and Shane Bieber will be able to assist reinforce things by June or July. Logan Allen, Joey Cantillo, Doug Nikhazy, Slade Cecconi, and Austin Peterson provide solid starting pitching depth, while Nick Enright and Trevor Stephan serve as useful bullpen arms in waiting. Notably, Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana are advancing through the minor leagues, with DeLauter appearing to be on the verge of breaking into the majors. IF/OF Daniel Schneemann, OF Johnathan Rodriguez, OF/IF Angel Martinez, OF Petey Halpin, 1B/LF CJ Kayfus, C Cooper Ingle, and possibly George Valera all give valuable position player depth at the upper levels.
But, to me, there are still too many obvious holes on this squad. For one, Carlos Santana should not be your cleanup hitter, and Will Brennan should not be your strongside platoon option in right field. So, a middle-of-the-order hitter who can play right field is required. Thankfully, Anthony Santander remains unsigned. He had a terrible defensive year in right in 2024, but he has been average there throughout his career. As a switch-hitter, he posted a 129 wRC+ with fairly even splits. He’s barely thirty years old. It’s time to bring him home. There is around $40 million left until Cleveland’s payroll reaches $150 million; they just received an extra compensatory selection, which they will forego in signing Santander. Let DeLauter earn his way in centerfield, show his health in full.
Second, the rotation requires some established seasoned innings eaters. Williams, Ortiz, Cantillo, Cecconi, and McKenzie all have promising futures. However, that represents a high level of risk with a low floor. The squad requires a seasoned pitcher capable of completing 175 innings. They’re said to be targeting Erick Fedde; simply get it done. You have a top-five farm system; make it happen, captain.
You’re all aware that the Santander proposal is a pipe dream. And I really don’t know what else the team does there. Maybe they can entice Jesus Sanchez away from Miami, but would they consider it as a significant upgrade over Brennan and worth perhaps blocking DeLauter? I doubt it. I believe we will see someone come in as an NRI, possibly Jayson Heyward, who has some pulled fly-ball talents. Heyward is insurance in case Brennan does not improve from October 2024 and Jhonk continues to swing at sliders in the other batter’s box. And perhaps they bring Alex Wood or someone of his ilk in on an NRI as an innings-eater.
I believe the Fedde deal or something like is the most likely scenario. It’s only $7.5 million and a promising prospect or two, which appears to match both the budget and the available resources. But I’m not going to count my chickens before they hatch.
While I am sad that this summer does not appear to have any major moves like the Andrew Miller trade of 2016 or the Encarnacion signing in advance of 2017, I am also very thrilled to see players like Brito, Noel, and DeLauter earn meaningful playing time. So, if I can’t have Santander, I’d like the team to skip service time games and instead let the best player compete for second base and right field in the spring. Let Arias and Rocchio battle it out for shortstop duties. Make this roster up of guys that fight and work their way onto a club seeking to win the AL Pennant. Next, 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.
