Guardians could overhaul lineup and bullpen at Winter Meetings to defend AL Central title originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cleveland Guardians went 88–74, won the American League Central and then got bounced by the Detroit Tigers in the Wild Card Series. They did it with run prevention and contact hitting. What they didn’t do is score much. The Guardians finished in the bottom three in MLB in runs per game, ahead of only the Rockies and Pirates.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat’s the backdrop for a very specific Winter Meetings to-do list.
Find real power for the lineup. Cleveland needs a true power bat, ideally at first base. Munetaka Murakami has been floated as a dream fit at first and third, while internal options like CJ Kayfus and Kyle Manzardo are more contact-forward. However they slice it, Jose Ramirez needs more damage around him if this offense is going to hold another division banner.
Add a veteran outfielder who hits right-handed.There’s an explicit call for a veteran outfielder, preferably right-handed, to balance a lineup that leans left and light. Steven Kwan’s name keeps surfacing in trade speculation, but moving an elite leadoff hitter and multi-time Gold Glover would require a massive return that helps now and later. If Kwan stays, the Guardians still need another outfield bat with some pop.
Rebuild the back of the bullpen.Emmanuel Clase isn’t walking through that door anytime soon. He and Luis Ortiz are headed for a 2026 trial on federal bribery-related charges and spent much of 2025 on leave. Cleveland also lost several depth arms, leaving a thin relief group. Big-name closers like Diaz or Williams have been mentioned as targets, but even a second-tier move would stabilize late innings for a team built to win 3–2 games.
The Guardians proved they can win the Central while hitting singles. The Winter Meetings are about proving they’re willing to shop in the power aisle too.
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