Spring Training is officially underway, and the Cleveland Guardians are looking to defend their AL Central title with a revamped roster after a busy offseason. While other teams in the division made moves to improve, Cleveland’s front office took a calculated approach, addressing weaknesses and reinforcing key positions. The result? A team that looks even more equipped to repeat as division champions.
One of the earliest moves of the offseason was bringing back Austin Hedges, a decision that may have puzzled some at first glance. Hedges isn’t exactly known for his offensive contributions, but what he brings defensively and in terms of handling a pitching staff can’t be overstated. With a young rotation featuring some developing arms, having a veteran presence behind the plate makes all the difference. His ability to frame pitches, call a great game, and work with Cleveland’s deep bullpen gives the Guardians an edge that might not show up on a stat sheet, but will be felt over the course of the season.
The trade that sent Eli Morgan to the Chicago Cubs for Alfonsin Rosario was a clear sign that Cleveland was willing to deal from an area of depth. Morgan had been a solid bullpen piece, but with the emergence of other relievers, he became expendable. This trade was also a sign that they are continuing their long-term strategy of keeping a steady pipeline of talent while ensuring they remain competitive in the present. Losing Morgan stings in the short term, but Cleveland has always excelled at developing bullpen arms, making this a move that might benefit them more down the line than it appears right now.
Another bullpen-related move saw the Guardians trade Peter Strzelecki to the Pittsburgh Pirates, a decision that alters the bullpen’s outlook for the season. While Strzelecki had the potential to be an effective late-inning option, Cleveland opted to move him for cash considerations. This shift suggests that the front office is confident in its existing bullpen arms and younger relievers stepping up into key roles. While losing Strzelecki means giving up a reliable strikeout pitcher, the Guardians’ track record of developing bullpen talent suggests they are prepared to fill that void internally, keeping their relief corps strong for another postseason push.
One of the more complicated moves of the offseason was the three-team trade with the Blue Jays and Pirates, a deal that reshaped Cleveland’s roster in multiple ways. The Guardians sent Andrés Giménez and Nick Sandlin to Toronto in exchange for Spencer Horwitz and Nick Mitchell, then flipped Horwitz to Pittsburgh for Luis L. Ortiz, Michael Kennedy, and Josh Hartle. While losing Giménez stings given his defensive prowess and consistent bat, Cleveland’s front office saw an opportunity to bolster its pitching depth while adding a promising young outfielder in Mitchell. The move suggests a shift in the Guardians’ roster construction, prioritizing long-term flexibility while still maintaining a competitive core for this season.
Brining Shane Bieber back on a two year contract was perhaps the biggest statement move Cleveland made all offseason. Bieber had been the subject of trade rumors for a while, but the Guardians made it clear that they still view him as the ace of their staff. Keeping him in Cleveland not only stabilizes the rotation but also sends a message to the rest of the division that the Guardians aren’t planning to take a step back anytime soon. A healthy Bieber at the top of the rotation gives Cleveland a legitimate chance to win any series, and with the pieces behind him, this move cements the Guardians as the division favorites.
Trading Josh Naylor was another bold decision that signals Cleveland’s long-term thinking. Naylor had been a fan favorite and provided some of the most emotional moments of the past couple of seasons, but moving him to the Diamondbacks for Slade Cecconi allowed the Guardians to strengthen their starting pitching depth. Cecconi, a promising young right-hander, has already shown flashes of being a solid major league starter, giving Cleveland another controllable arm to help solidify their rotation. While losing Naylor’s bat and energy won’t be easy, the Guardians are betting on their internal options at first base and designated hitter to step up, while also reinforcing their most critical area—pitching. This move aligns with Cleveland’s philosophy of maximizing value and maintaining long-term flexibility.
Signing Carlos Santana and Paul Sewald addressed two key areas: veteran leadership and bullpen strength. Santana is a familiar face, and while he may not be in his prime anymore, his presence in the clubhouse and ability to take quality at-bats add value. He provides insurance at first base and DH while also being someone who can help younger players develop. Sewald, on the other hand, gives Cleveland another high-leverage arm in the bullpen. Having a proven late-inning reliever to pair with Emmanuel Clase means the Guardians won’t be relying on just one closer to finish out games. Depth in the bullpen has always been one of Cleveland’s strengths, and adding Sewald reinforces that even further.
Moving Myles Straw was another calculated risk. Straw had been an elite defensive outfielder, but his offensive inconsistencies made him a trade candidate. By moving him, the Guardians signaled confidence in their other outfield options while also bringing back pieces that help in other areas. With this move, Cleveland sacrificed some defense in exchange for a more well-rounded lineup, banking on the idea that their run prevention won’t take too much of a hit while their offensive production increases.
Here’s the thing folks: The Guardians didn’t go out and make flashy signings or blockbuster trades, but that’s never been their style. Instead, they made targeted moves that address specific needs, reinforcing their pitching depth, adding experience, and positioning themselves for another strong season.
With that… While the AL Central is one of typically one of the easier divisions to win, Cleveland’s offseason moves put them in a great position to defend their title. If the pieces fall into place as expected, the Guardians could be looking at another deep October run.
If you cannot play with them, then root for them!