2025 season: 88-74, first in AL Central, eliminated in wild card
With the Guardians eliminated by the Tigers in the 2025 postseason, let’s take a look at the season that was in Cleveland, the questions the team must address this winter and the early outlook for next year.
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Read more: MLB offseason previews 2025: What’s next for the White Sox, Pirates, Twins and more?
Things that went right
The Guardians achieved something that had never been done before when they erased a 15.5-game deficit and overtook the Tigers to win the AL Central. Their remarkable comeback included a 2.61 team ERA in September, which was more than a full run lower than that of all but one team (Mariners). Some will view the Guardians as lucky, as they went 88-74 despite having a minus-6 run differential, but there’s no debating that this team was remarkably effective in key moments and close games.
For a second straight year, the strength of the Guardians was their bullpen. Cade Smith was the leader of the group, as he continued to establish himself as one of baseball’s best relievers. Smith and Hunter Gaddis formed a terrific setup crew until the team lost Emmanuel Clase to a non-disciplinary suspension and needed Smith to become the closer. He handled that role admirably as well. There were success stories in the rotation, too, notably Gavin Williams, who after a rocky start to the season led the majors with a 2.18 second-half ERA en route to an overall mark of 3.06. He also delivered a strong start for the Guardians in their Game 1 wild-card loss to Detroit.
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There weren’t many bright spots on an offense that finished the season 28th in runs scored. But José Ramírez was as steady as ever, ranking fifth in baseball in OPS and being the season’s only 30-40 player. Ramírez was supported by Kyle Manzardo, who enjoyed a breakout season while serving as the cleanup hitter against right-handers. Manzardo was decent in the first half and continued to improve after the All-Star break, finishing with 27 homers.
Things that went wrong
The Guardians were impacted by scandal, as pitchers Clase and Luis Ortiz were placed on paid leave while an investigation took place regarding sports gambling. Losing a starting pitcher and one of baseball’s top closers made a significant impact on Cleveland’s pitching staff, though the rest of the team deserves credit for remaining in the postseason race into September. Clase wasn’t having a banner year before his departure, as he logged career-worst marks in ERA (3.23) and WHIP (1.23).
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Tanner Bibee was arguably the most disappointing pitcher on the team. Expected to be Cleveland’s ace, Bibee instead watched his ERA rise dramatically, as his strikeout and walk rates took a turn for the worse. That said, it’s worth noting that after struggling for most of the season, Bibee recorded a 1.30 ERA in four September starts.
Even so, a lineup full of holes was the biggest reason the Guardians needed a miracle finish to reach the postseason and didn’t advance beyond wild-card Game 3. Carlos Santana’s return to Cleveland was a flop. He couldn’t repeat the power numbers he produced with the Twins in 2024 and was placed on waivers in late August. Nolan Jones arrived at the start of the season in a trade with the Rockies. He was looking for a bounce-back year but instead remained a below-average hitter. Lane Thomas dealt with wrist and foot injuries and was never able to get on track. Catcher Bo Naylor continued to log one of the lowest batting averages in baseball, and Gabriel Arias and Brayan Rocchio made minimal offensive contributions while soaking up middle-infield playing time.
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Offseason outlook
The Guardians’ front office will face plenty of tough decisions this winter. Outside of Ramírez at the hot corner, most of the infield is unsettled. Rocchio, Arias and Daniel Schneemann are looking for infield opportunities but haven’t done enough at the plate to secure their spots. Manzardo will be the first baseman against right-handers, and the coaching staff will need to decide if he has the potential to improve against lefties. Naylor likely did enough in September (16 RBI, .872 OPS) to get another chance at being the No. 1 catcher.
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The outfield isn’t in much better shape, with just one player (left fielder Steven Kwan) set in stone. Schneemann can play in the outfield, and Angel Martínez bounced between center and second base throughout an underwhelming season. Jones and CJ Kayfus will try to win jobs in spring training but didn’t do anything in 2025 to give them a leg up on the competition.
The rotation is in better shape than the lineup, as Bibee, Gavin Williams, Logan Allen and Slade Cecconi are all under contract for 2026 after making more than 20 starts this year. Joey Cantillo will compete for a rotation spot as well, and this group will be especially deep if Ortiz returns. Parker Messick is another strong candidate, as the 24-year-old enjoyed a memorable debut down the stretch. There’s also a wild card in John Means, as the team has a club option on the left-hander who is returning from 2024 Tommy John surgery. Every member of this group has plenty of room for improvement, but this team has options.
The state of the bullpen will depend heavily on the possible return of Clase. Even without its closer, Cleveland will have a strong relief corps. But this group goes from good to great if Clase can handle the ninth inning while Smith and Gaddis form an elite setup duo.
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Prospects on the horizon
The Guardians have a strong farm system, led by 2024 No. 1 overall pick Travis Bazzana. The Australian’s first full minor-league season was a mixed bag. On a positive note, he progressed through three levels and finished the campaign in Triple-A. However, Bazzana didn’t dominate at any level, leaving scouts to conclude that he isn’t ready for the majors. Look for the Guardians to keep second base open for Bazzana to claim next summer.
If he can stay healthy, outfielder Chase DeLauter will be a big part of Cleveland’s lineup immediately next year. The team’s first-round pick in 2022, DeLauter underwent wrist surgery this summer, which continued a career-long battle with injuries, but got healthy in time to make his MLB debut in Game 2 of the wild-card round. At his best, DeLauter excels at getting on base and has developed solid power skills. With a strong spring, he can secure a spot on the Opening Day roster.
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Beyond Bazzana, there’s even more help on the way for the infield, with shortstop Angel Genao and catcher Cooper Ingle. Just 21 years old, Genao logged offensive statistics that were respectable but not impactful at Double-A this year. He could debut by next summer if he gets off to a strong start. Ingle is much closer, as he reached Triple-A late this year and has demonstrated outstanding on-base skills throughout his career. A smaller player with little power, he doesn’t project as a future star but could be part of a solid catching tandem.
Cleveland has few pitchers on the horizon, but Khal Stephen is someone worth mentioning. He arrived from Toronto in the Shane Bieber trade after dramatically improving his prospect ranking with a dominant 2025 season. Stephen reached Double-A this year and should be ready to help the Guardians by the All-Star break next year.
Goals for 2026
Despite their surprising AL Central title, the Guardians are a team in transition. Their roster boasts few impact players, and one could conclude that a rebuild is in Cleveland’s future. However, this team consistently reaches the postseason, and there are several position-player prospects on the verge of making contributions who perfectly align with the current weaknesses at the major-league level.
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Next season might be one of transition in Cleveland, with the team likely not returning to the postseason but rolling out an exciting lineup in the second half, particularly with the additions of DeLauter and Bazzana. To make another trip to October and have a shot at advancing once there, the Guardians will need those young players to deliver earlier than expected, and they’ll need hurlers such as Bibee, Allen and Cecconi to take steps forward.
Fantasy focus
Ramírez is the only Cleveland player whose name will come up early in 2026 drafts. The veteran third baseman will be selected late in Round 1 or early in Round 2, depending on league size. The next Guardian off the board figures to be whoever is set to work the closer’s role — Clase or Smith — as that man will be viewed as a top-10 fantasy reliever. Kwan, Bibee and Williams will be mid-round picks.
The rest of the Guardians figure to go undrafted but have the potential to be added from waivers early in the season. That includes Cecconi, Allen, the many hitters vying for full-time jobs and prospects such as Bazzana. Messick could be an exciting late-round option if he wins a rotation spot in spring training.
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