13 former Guardians who are lingering as free agents as 2026 spring training looms

While the Cleveland Guardians’ roster shuffle isn’t as extreme as some other small market clubs like the Tampa Bay Rays, they’ve still jettisonned plenty of players off the roster in their quest to build a consistent winner around José Ramírez. 

As such, there are always plenty of former Guardians whose names resurface in the offseason as they move around baseball, and this offseason is no exception. 

Here’s a look at all 13 former Guardians who are still free agents as we get closer and closer to spring training. 

Note: every play on this list was pulled from MLB.com’s list of the 2025-26 free agents. 

These former Guardians are still free agents as we enter 2026 

OF Will Brennan
Played in six games with the Guardians in 2025

Brennan starts the list off after a middling performance with the Guardians in 2026 that was limited by injuries. He had a breakout two weeks at the end of the 2022 season with the Guardians, but failed to make an impression during his time as an everyday player in 2023 and ‘24. 

He never got a real chance to play in 2025 after the Guardians traded for Nolan Jones at the end of spring training and ended up undergoing Tommy John surgery in May. He’ll likely sign a minor league deal somewhere. 

RHP Aaron Civale
Appeared in 23 games with the White Sox, Cubs and Brewers in 2025

While the Guardians’ trade of Civale at the trade deadline in 2023 in exchange for Kyle Manzardo nearly caused a mutiny in Cleveland’s clubhouse, it’s become a clear win given Manzardo’s become a staple in Cleveland’s lineup and Civale had a 4.85 ERA in 102 innings last season. 

Civale’s a cerebral pitcher who looked like a budding ace in his breakout 2019 season, but he hasn’t had much success since leaving Cleveland. 

RHP Mike Clevinger
Appeared in eight games with the White Sox in 2025

Another former budding Cleveland ace, Clevinger has appeared in the past three seasons with the White Sox despite clearly being over the hill after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2020. 

Clevinger surprisingly made Chicago’s Opening Day roster as a reliever, and had a disaster outing in Cleveland’s home opener when he gave up a walk-off walk to Nolan Jones — the third walk he allowed in the outing.

He appeared in two more games with Chicago before being designated for assignment. If he does get another minor league option, it will likely be with the White Sox (again). 

RHP Lucas Giolito
Appeared in 26 games with the Red Sox in 2025

The most productive player on this list, Giolito put together a solid bounce-back season in 2025 (3.14 ERA in 145 innings) after missing all of 2024 with arm injuries. 

While Boston left him off their postseason roster due to right flexor irritation, he’s gone on record to say that he’s fully healthy and ready to contribute in 2026.

A reunion in Boston seems out of the cards given the amount of pitching the Red Sox have added this offseason, so Giolito seems destined to sign a multi-year deal with another club ahead of the start of 2026.