HARRISON BADER

Guardians To Look For Outfield Upgrades This Winter

By Nick Deeds | October 12, 2025 at 9:07pm CDT

The Guardians managed to make a miracle run to not only squeak into the postseason, but pry the AL Central title away from the Tigers over the final weeks of the season. That wasn’t enough, however, to stop them from falling to their division rivals in the AL Wild Card series, sending them home just a few days into the postseason. Now that the offseason is upon them, Cleveland’s front office has turned its attention to the 2026 campaign. As Zack Meisel of The Athletic discussed earlier this week, president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti told reporters in the aftermath of the Guardians’ loss that improving production in right and center field would be a priority this offseason.

That’s not necessarily a surprise. GM Mike Chernoff noted to reporters (including Meisel) that the club ranked 28th in runs per game this year, and described the offense as a “clear area” in need of improvement next season. Getting more offense out of the outfield should be the easiest way to do that by far, seeing as the Guardians ranked 29th in the majors with a 77 wRC+ from their outfielders this year. Part of that is due to left fielder Steven Kwan’s down season, although he still posted a 99 wRC+ and seems to be a fairly safe bet to handle left for Cleveland again in 2026, barring a surprise trade.

While there’s little reason to worry about Kwan in left, the same can’t be said for the other two outfield spots. Angel Martinez, Nolan Jones, Lane Thomas, and Jhonkensy Noel handled most of the reps at those positions, and all four turned in negative WAR performances according to Fangraphs this season. Thomas will be hitting free agency after this year’s injury-marred campaign where he appeared in just 39 games. The other three will all remain under club control next year, but none inspires much confidence heading into next year.

Some opportunity for improvement could come from within. Chase DeLauter has not yet made his regular season debut but appeared in the Wild Card series, and Meisel relays that Antonetti expects him to compete for a roster spot in Spring Training next year. Rookie George Valera managed a 113 wRC+ in 16 games this year and could get an opportunity next year, as well. Perhaps an outfield of Kwan in left, DeLauter in center, and Valera in right could work out for the Guardians, but it seems fair to argue that at least one external addition will be necessary to offer some certainty, and perhaps help balance a trio of lefty-swinging outfielders with a right-handed hitter.

Reuniting with Thomas is at least plausible, but he’s hit just .189/.258/.340 in 92 games with the Guardians over the past two seasons and a change of scenery may be what’s best for both sides. Harrison Bader would be perhaps an ideal acquisition for the team, but it’s possible that his excellent work with the Phillies down the stretch (129 wRC+ in 50 games) may have put him out of Cleveland’s price range. Rob Refsnyder and Austin Hays are both also set to be available in free agency this winter. Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia and Astros outfielder Chas McCormick are both possible non-tender candidates who could help improve Cleveland’s outfield mix with a bounce-back season, as well.

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Guardians Urged to Sign any Free Agent OF with Power.
We'll see. I'll wait until it happens, or doesn't

Steven Kwan Notches Major MLB Honor


October 24, 2025
By Yagya Bhargava

Steven Kwan continues to collect hardware for his stellar work on the field.

The Cleveland Guardians outfielder wrapped up the 2025 season hitting .272 with a .330 on-base percentage and .374 slugging percentage for a .705 OPS.

His defensive numbers told an even stronger story, as he recorded 308 putouts and set a career-high with 13 assists while maintaining a 97.6% fielding percentage.

On Thursday, the Guardians announced Kwan as a 2025 Fielding Bible Award winner, joining an elite group of players recognized as the best defenders at their respective positions across MLB.

The recognition marks another milestone in what has become a decorated career for the 28-year-old outfielder.

For Kwan, awards like these have become almost routine.

He has now earned consecutive All-Star selections and claimed his third Gold Glove, solidifying his standing as one of baseball’s most reliable defenders.

While his glove work in left field has drawn national attention for years, this latest honor reinforces his importance to Cleveland’s defensive unit.

Kwan primarily patrolled left field this season but also handled center field duty once with a perfect 100% fielding mark and spent four games as the designated hitter.

Cleveland faces an uncertain offseason, but the future holds real potential depending on key decisions ahead.

The biggest question surrounding the organization centers on Kwan’s future with the club.

He is signed through 2025 on a one-year contract worth $4.18 million, but an extension has yet to materialize despite his consistent production.

Fans continue to wonder whether the front office plans to secure his long-term future or explore trade possibilities.

Kwan has repeatedly expressed his desire to remain in Cleveland, and that loyalty could factor into upcoming negotiations.

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Orioles tab Craig Albernaz as next manager, sources say
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Orioles tab Albernaz as next manager, sources say (0:57)


Jeff Passan
Oct 26, 2025, 10:18 PM ET
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The Baltimore Orioles are finalizing a deal to hire Craig Albernaz as manager, tabbing one of the game's most well-respected young coaches to help engineer a turnaround after a disappointing 2025, sources told ESPN on Sunday.

Baltimore fired manager Brandon Hyde in mid-May after a 15-28 start and named Tony Mansolino interim manager for the remainder of the season, in which the Orioles went 75-87 and finished in last place in the American League East.

With a strong core of young hitters, the Orioles' job was one of the most alluring during an offseason with more than a quarter of managerial jobs open. And Albernaz, who, in his previous coaching jobs, forged strong relationships with younger players and was leaned on for a baseball sense honed by years behind the plate, leaped to the top of the list in Baltimore.

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Albernaz, 42, was the associate manager for the Cleveland Guardians, who won the American League Central this year. Albernaz was a finalist for Cleveland's managerial job in 2023 and joined the Guardians as bench coach when they instead hired Stephen Vogt.

During a nine-year catching career that topped out at Triple-A, Albernaz was long regarded as a potential future manager, and the Tampa Bay Rays -- in whose minor league system he played eight seasons -- hired him as a coach in 2015. Albernaz managed two years in the low minor leagues and eventually was hired before the 2020 season by the San Francisco Giants as a bullpen and catching coach.

Albernaz's ability to connect with players was a hallmark of his time in San Francisco and Cleveland -- and was part of the allure for an Orioles team filled with young talent. With star shortstop Gunnar Henderson, catcher Adley Rutschman, infielder Jordan Westburg, outfielder Colton Cowser, second baseman Jackson Holliday, outfielder Dylan Beavers, slugger Samuel Basallo and infielder Coby Mayo, Baltimore has one the highest-ceiling rosters in the major leagues.

The Orioles' pitching suffered last season, though, and while left-hander Trevor Rogers ' breakout year and the return of right-hander Kyle Bradish from Tommy John surgery bode well for 2026, right-hander Grayson Rodriguez is coming off shoulder and elbow injuries and Baltimore's pitching depth in the rotation and bullpen is limited.

Albernaz's first major league managerial job will be in the gauntlet of the AL East division, featuring the current AL champion Toronto Blue Jays, a strong New York Yankees squad, the ascendant Boston Red Sox and a Tampa Bay Rays group that is competitive annually.

The Guardians’ injury-prone outfield and the Travis Bazzana question

Updated: Oct. 30, 2025, 4:05 p.m.|Published: Oct. 30, 2025, 3:58 p.m.

By Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians enter the offseason facing a concerning pattern that could undermine their 2026 aspirations: most of the potential outfielders on their roster have troubling injury histories. This reality, combined with questions about where top prospect Travis Bazzana fits into their future plans, created a lively debate on the latest Cleveland Baseball Talk podcast.

A podcast listener from Ohio highlighted the alarming trend: “Every one of the Guardians potential outfielders for next season has a history of injuries. Steven Kwan, C.J. Kayfus, Chase DeLauter, George Valera and Lane Thomas. Shouldn’t the front office target a proven, healthy MLB outfielder as their top priority?”

Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com Guardians beat reporter, responded by invoking wisdom from a former Cleveland executive: “Danny O’Dowd always used to say when he was the assistant GM in Cleveland that the best predictor for future injuries is past injuries. You know, DeLauter, Valera and Thomas, if they should bring him back, certainly have that.”

The concern is legitimate. Steven Kwan has battled hamstring issues and played through a wrist problem in 2025. DeLauter’s injury history is particularly troubling — he missed significant development time with a broken foot before reaching the majors at the end of 2025.

Valera, once the organization’s top outfield prospect, has seen his development repeatedly stalled by injuries. And Thomas, acquired at the trade deadline, ended the season needing foot surgery.

This collective fragility raises an interesting question: should the Guardians consider moving their prized prospect, 2024 first overall pick Travis Bazzana, from second base to the outfield to provide additional depth and flexibility?

“I think that’s a possibility,” Hoynes said when asked about giving Bazzana outfield reps. “But right now I’d like to see Bazzana just play second base and just see how he does there.”

Joe Noga, cleveland.com Guardians beat reporter, took an even stronger stance against moving Bazzana: “I think you want him to succeed and the best way to get him to succeed right now is to sort of eliminate all the different variables and have him focus on second base. Just because he’s not immediately going to be the greatest defensive second baseman in the world.”

The podcast hosts anticipate Bazzana could debut sometime during the 2026 season if he stays healthy and develops as expected. Their concern is that adding outfield responsibilities might slow his progress defensively at second base, where he already has room for improvement.

“They didn’t draft this guy, the number one pick overall in the 2024 draft to turn him into a utility guy,” Hoynes emphasized.

The conversation reflects Cleveland’s typical development philosophy — patience and positional focus rather than rushing prospects or moving them around the diamond prematurely.

For fans hoping to see the Guardians maintain their momentum from 2025’s AL Central title, the outfield injury situation creates legitimate concern. Will the front office seek external solutions through free agency or trades? Or will they gamble on the health of their existing options while keeping Bazzana focused solely on second base?

As offseason decisions loom, the Guardians’ approach to these intertwined challenges could significantly impact their championship aspirations in 2026.

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Welcome back to the Guardians Beat newsletter. My name is Tim Stebbins, and this is my first season covering Cleveland for MLB.com.

CLEVELAND -- The World Series is in full swing, which means the Hot Stove will soon be heating up.

Let’s take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding the Guardians’ offseason.

Which Guardians players will be free agents?

Outfielder Lane Thomas and reliever Jakob Junis.

Will any of their free agents return?

Thomas could make sense on a short-term deal. The Guardians had a .647 OPS against lefties in 2025 (including a .604 OPS by their outfielders), and Thomas has fared well against southpaws in his career (.859 OPS). He was limited to an overall .518 OPS over 39 games in 2025 amid three stints on the injured list -- twice for plantar fasciitis, for which he underwent right foot surgery in September.

Junis could fit next year in a similar role, as a length option out of the bullpen who can be deployed in the middle-to-late innings. He recorded a 2.97 ERA in 66 2/3 innings over 57 appearances.

Which players have contract options?

John Means has a club option worth $6 million for 2026. The Guardians must exercise or decline it within five days of the end of the World Series.

Means (who signed a one-year deal with the option on Feb. 19) made seven Minor League rehab starts down the stretch in his comeback from Tommy John surgery. He ultimately did not pitch in the Majors, in part due to how well Cleveland’s six-man rotation performed in September. Would the Guardians pick up Means’ option and then sort through the rotation picture? Or could they decline it and allocate their resources elsewhere?

Who is eligible for arbitration?

• LHP Kolby Allard
• LHP Sam Hentges
• RHP Matt Festa
• RHP Ben Lively
• OF Steven Kwan
• OF Nolan Jones
• OF Will Brennan
• C/DH David Fry






Who might be a non-tender candidate?

This list could include Hentges, Lively, Brennan and Jones. The non-tender deadline is Nov 21.

Hentges spent this past season recovering from September 2024 left shoulder surgery. He also underwent right knee surgery this September, for which his return-to-play timeline is three to four months. Lively underwent Tommy John surgery in June, so he likely will be sidelined for most of next season.

Brennan underwent Tommy John surgery in June and sports hernia surgery in September. He is expected to be a full participant come Spring Training. However, Cleveland has young outfielders it wants to give runway, a group that includes Chase DeLauter (No. 2 prospect, MLB No. 58), C.J. Kayfus and George Valera.

Jones had a tough season (.600 OPS over 136 games) after Cleveland acquired him from Colorado on March 22.






Who needs to be added to the 40-man roster to avoid the Rule 5 Draft?

The Rule 5 Draft is set for Dec. 10. Players who need to be added to the 40-man roster to avoid eligibility include infielder Angel Genao (No. 3 prospect, No. 59 overall), infielder/outfielder Kahlil Watson (No. 18) and right-hander Austin Peterson (No. 30).

Other players include outfielder Wuilfredo Antunez, infielder Juan Benjamin and right-hander Trenton Denholm, each of whom has played in the Arizona Fall League this month. Also on the list are infielder Dayan Frías, catcher Cameron Barstad and lefty Steven Pérez. The Guardians re-signed each of those three (and Antunez) this month to a Minor League deal with an invite to big league Spring Training.

The Guardians’ 40-man roster is full. Thomas and Junis’ free agencies will open two spots, as would any non-tender decisions.

What kind of help do the Guardians need?

Cleveland’s No. 1 need is help offensively after it averaged 3.97 runs per game in 2025 (28th in MLB). Whether it’s Thomas or someone else, adding a right-handed-hitting outfielder would make a ton of sense, as could adding bullpen help. There is uncertainty around closer Emmanuel Clase, and Cleveland also noted this month that Nic Enright will require Tommy John surgery.

Will the Guardians be active in free agency?

They certainly could be. Even when accounting for Means’ option, and costs such as salaries for players who are arbitration-eligible or in the pre-arbitration phase, Cleveland may have some flexibility this winter. The Guardians have just four players with a guaranteed contract for 2026 in José Ramírez, Tanner Bibee, Austin Hedges and Clase -- who was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave on July 28 due to an ongoing MLB investigation.

Who might be traded?

Kwan’s name appeared on the rumor mill before the Trade Deadline. It would not be surprising if that is also the case this winter. He could bring back a lot of value as a two-time All-Star who may soon earn his fourth straight Gold Glove Award, and as a player who is arbitration-eligible through 2027. Those factors also continue to make him an extension candidate.

The Guardians at least have the option to tap into their rotation depth in a trade scenario, especially if they pick up Means’ option. But as the saying goes, teams can never have enough starting pitching.

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so since 2025 season is over, here come the first projections for 2026. At espn, Tigers ranked No. 10, Royals No. 11,


16. Cleveland Guardians
2025 record: 88-74
Final 2025 ranking: 10

I know, I know ... underestimate the Guardians at your own peril, so we'll rank them here in the middle. They won a shocking division title powered by an incredible September run, but this is still a team that hit just .226/.293/.373 and ranked 28th in the majors in runs scored. They do have some potential help on the way in outfielder Chase DeLauter, who was on the playoff roster after not playing a regular-season game in the majors, and second baseman Travis Bazzana, the top overall pick in 2024. They will likely have to move on without closer Emmanuel Clase and starter Luis Ortiz, but the pen remains deep and Ortiz wasn't that good anyway. It's wishful thinking given ownership, but adding an impact bat would be the offseason priority.

...As everyone knows...

Ranked 16 for a reason. The pitching excels but the offense stinks. I wouldn't rely too heavily on rookies or even 2nd year players to get this team into post season.

Joe, Guardians made the post season this year with a stinky offense. So rookies and 2nd year players can not hurt.

Rusty, the pitching got the Guards into the playoffs, not so much the hitting. Depending on which source you search on (AI is crappy). I tried AI 5 times and got 5 different answers. I searched MLB.com and the team batting average for the season was ,226. For the wild card series it was .178. These are not the numbers you want to have heading into the playoffs.

I really prefer looking outside the organization for a couple of hitters, established/experienced players that can hit for a decent average as well as having some decent power. He should also be an above average defensive player. And like the guy said, capable of hitting splitters.

This was a fantastic world series. It had everything you would ever want to ask for from pitching to hitting and defense. Enjoyed every second.

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