$81 Million In Empty Promises: Cleveland’s Path to 2026

In 2025, the Cleveland Guardians clinched the AL Central after a catastrophic collapse by the Detroit Tigers. However, after winning game one, they fell apart in classic Cleveland sports fashion and were eliminated in the first round. With the season over and winter meetings concluded, Cleveland fans are left frustrated and confused as a team with playoff potential enters the 2026 season with $100 million less on their payroll and nothing to show for it. Granted, they did sign two players. Two 30-year-old relief arms with a combined 13.56 ERA in just 72 innings of relief. To put into perspective just how strange this situation is, we’ll have to look at the numbers.

 This year, the Cleveland Guardians are projected to have a payroll of about $81 million dollars. Their two highest pay hits are all-star Jose Ramierz at ~$20 million and Ace 1B pitcher Tanner Bibee at ~$9.6 million. Now, how does this number stack up against other teams across the MLB? Well, at 26th, only the Pirates, Marlins, Athletics, and White Sox have less in payroll. And above them? Let’s look at the LA Dodgers, back-to-back World Series champions, their TAX BILL is $2 million dollars more than the Guardians payroll. But the Dodgers have arguably the biggest market in all sports, so let's look at a few teams that have similar markets to Cleveland. Take the Diamondbacks, for example; they sit at ~$144 million. Or, how about the Baltimore Orioles? A team that has struggled to find consistency in its performance. ~$161 million dollars in projected payroll. Even the Colorado Rockies, the MLB’s most consistent losers, are going into 2026 with a projected payroll of JUST under $100 million dollars. 

Why is this such a big deal?

The problem of a lackluster offseason has plagued the Dolan ownership of the Guardians since its conception in 2000. 16 seasons of missing the playoffs altogether, 3 years of collapsing in the wildcard, 4 years of divisional falloffs, and 4 years of failure in the World Series and Championship rounds. Granted, I’ll give credit where it is due. They’ve managed to work well with a limited roster, and for a while, they were able to find success in ways that went against the current trends in the MLB, opting for contact hitters rather than power hitters, but as the 2025 season showed, the league adapted, and now #GuardsBall is nothing more than an insult to sports fans. The problems are easy fixes as well, especially now while the FA market is still full. Despite the lack of superstars, there is talent available for the guards to go from the bottom of the AL to champion favorites in an offseason. 

Fixing the Guardians

Position players are key this offseason, and opting to believe the monster that is the Guardian’s pitching staff had a rough year. Choosing to address that problem with prospects and lower-end arms rather than top-level guys. That in mind, Colin Holderman and Connor Brogdon could be serviceable but are by no means helping their situation. Regardless, position players are key, and there are several spots that are necessary to address before opening day. 

Catcher: Move on from Austin Hedges; Sign J.T. Realmuto. 

Why: Bo Naylor is developing into a quality everyday starter. Slowly building the repertoire with star pitchers and being able to hit both power and contact as long as he continues to develop, then it’s the secondary team we are looking to resolve. Realmuto brings power and consistency to a position that the Guards have really struggled to offset. At 34, he could sign a mid-length deal and help bring great leadership to both Bo and even David Fry (though ideally he wouldn’t be playing much catcher). 

Ideal Contract: 4yrs, $36 million with incentives to get it up to $45 million.

First Base: Move on from Carlos Santana; Start Kyle Manzardo and sign NPB star Munetaka Murakami to platoon 1B/DH

Why: The Carlos Santana contract was a mistake right from the jump, and Kyle Manzardo has shown he is a constant defensive liability. While Murakami poses that same liability, alternating these two young power sluggers between 1B/DH would both give them reps to improve upon their defensive skills while maintaining a consistent threat at the plate for opposing hitters. Plus, it would allow Vogt to ride the hot hitter in key matchups while still allowing both players to grow and develop as is necessary for the success of the franchise.

Ideal Contract: 8yrs, $155 Million with performance-based incentives.

Second Base: Start Bazzana; shift Gabriel Arias to back up

Why: The Guardians need to rely heavily on their prospects this year, and a statement to both the fanbase and their players that they are committed to winning would be bringing up their #1 pick, Travis Bazzana, to lead off their opening day roster. Not only would this allow Bazzana real time experience at the major league level, but it would also allow the Guardians to use Juan Brito as fodder for a reliever trade.

Third Base: Keep Jose Ramirez and Daniel Schneemann

Why: If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.  

Shortstop: Start Brayan Rocchio 

Why: Rocchio became the unsung hero of the Guardians and really started to turn into a solid offensive piece. Add that in with his above-average defense, and Rocchio has turned into a great everyday player. 

Left Field: Extend Steven Kwan

Why: The OF market is drastically empty, with the available players aging veterans, not everyday starters, especially not ones that have a value near or at the same level as Kwan. He struggled this year, but that could be attributed to the heavy trade and contract extension talk. Otherwise, Kwan has been proven to be a reliable and dependable player both offensively and defensively. Couple that with production that will be almost impossible to recreate using the market, and an extension is more of a necessity than a want. 

Ideal Contract: 5yrs, $85 Million

Center Field: Start Chase DeLauter

Why: DeLauter is the other side of the Guardians prospect coin. Alongside Travis Bazzana, DeLauter is poised to play a MAJOR role in the 2026 season and well beyond. He showcased his plate discipline during the AL Wildcard matchup against the Tigers. While the defense struggled at first, that could be attributed to nerves, as it was his first performance at the major league level. DeLauter, like Bazzana, is still a high-level prospect and is very much in position to make the organization's opening day roster due to the lack of talent their outfield currently shows. 

Right Field: Start George Velera; sign JJ Bleday

Why: This makes the most sense for a team that is barren in the outfield. Velera showed promise at the plate during his limited playing time with the team last year. Though injuries and inconsistencies defensively are cause for concern. This is why I propose signing FA JJ Bleday to a short-term deal to help bridge the gap for George and allow him to develop without applying too much risk to the organization. Bleday is a slightly more consistent player defensively, but has shown he is inconsistent offensively. However, at just 28, he is definitely the most serviceable FA option for the outfield that would make sense for the Guardians.

Ideal Contract: 3yrs, $15 Million

2026 Projected Lineup with Changes

1) Travis Bazzana /Gabriel Arias (2B)

2) Steven Kwan / Angel Martinez (LF)

3) Munetaka Murakami / Kyle Manzardo (1B/DH)

4) Jose Ramirez / Daniel Schneemann (3B)

5) Chase DeLauter (CF)

6) Bo Naylor / J.T. Realmuto (C)

7) George Velera / JJ Bleday (RF)

8) Brayan Rocchio (SS)

9) J.T. Realmuto / Kyle Manzardo / Munetaka Murakami (DH)

When the Dust Settles:

Now, do I genuinely believe that any of this could actually happen? No. The Guardians are likely going to have another underwhelming offseason that leads to more disappointment. However, with that being said, in the long run, moves like this would not only benefit the 2026 season but also seasons to come. As well as show fans that maybe this organization turned the page on being an underperformer. Budget-wise, this also requires some flexibility from the Guardians' ownership and front office. Historically, they keep their payroll near the $100 million line, but these additions would put them at roughly $131 million. Not only does this bode well for ownership as they are well below the tax threshold, but it also turns a team that has always been flirting with the playoffs become instant dark horse World Series contender.