Guardians Offseason Priorities Centered on Improving Offense, Retaining Young Talent
CLEVELAND — After a rollercoaster 2025 season that saw the Cleveland Guardians mount an historic comeback to capture their second straight AL Central division title, the focus has now shifted to the critical offseason ahead.
Offense a Clear Area of Emphasis
While the Guardians' pitching staff was a major strength, leading them to the playoffs, the team's offense struggled mightily at times. As Guardians GM Mike Chernoff noted, "That's the clear area where we feel like that's going to have to improve going into next year."
Cleveland finished near the bottom of the league in several key offensive categories, including OPS against left-handed pitching (.647, 27th in MLB) and production from center field (.574 OPS) and right field (.605 OPS).
To address these deficiencies, the Guardians are expected to be active in free agency and the trade market this winter. One potential target could be Cubs catcher Willson Contreras, who would provide a major upgrade both behind the plate and in the middle of the lineup.
Retaining Young Talent a Priority
In addition to bolstering the offense, the Guardians are also focused on locking up their young core of players to long-term deals. This includes budding stars like outfielder Steven Kwan, pitcher Gavin Williams, and others.
"Some of that could go toward long-term extensions — for Kwan, Gavin Williams and others — if deals can be reached," noted Akron Beacon Journal reporter Ryan Lewis. Extending these players would help ensure the Guardians' competitive window remains open for years to come.
José Ramírez's Future a Hot Topic
One player whose long-term future in Cleveland has been a major talking point is superstar third baseman José Ramírez. Ramírez has expressed some frustration with the organization's spending habits, especially as his career progresses.
A viral social media post from a frustrated fan calling for the Guardians to open the checkbook and support Ramírez has only amplified the scrutiny on the team's ownership. As the Akron Beacon Journal's Lewis wrote, "Guardians ownership [is] officially on the clock after fan's viral José Ramírez defense."
Prospects Jockeying for Roster Spots
While the Guardians' top priorities may be upgrading the major league roster, the organization also has an exciting crop of young prospects knocking on the door. Names like outfielder George Valera, pitchers Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams, and infielder Juan Brito will all be looking to make an impact in 2026 and beyond.
The Guardians will need to carefully evaluate their options and make difficult decisions on which players to promote, retain, or potentially trade away this offseason. But with a strong farm system and a roster that reached the playoffs in 2025, the future remains bright in Cleveland.
TL;DR
- The Guardians' top offseason priority is improving their struggling offense, especially against left-handed pitching and from the outfield positions.
- Retaining young stars like Steven Kwan and Gavin Williams on long-term deals is also a key focus.
- The team's long-term commitment to superstar José Ramírez has come into question, with fans calling for more spending to support him.
- The Guardians have an exciting group of prospects vying for roster spots, adding another layer of complexity to the offseason ahead.