3 moves Guardians must make after 2025 Winter Meetings

The Winter Meetings have come and gone, and the Cleveland Guardians were largely absent from the festivities. 

While we got some updates about the Guardians plans for 2026 as well as which members of the roster are planning on playing in the World Baseball Classic, the Guardians’ front office didn’t make any external acquisitions during the busiest time of the baseball calendar (so long as you don’t count adding Connor Brogdon before the Winter Meetings). 

That inaction is a stark change from last year when they reshaped their roster by dealing Andrés Giménez to the Blue Jays and acquiring Luis Ortiz from the Pirates. 

But just because the Guardians didn’t make any moves during the Winter Meetings doesn’t mean that there isn’t a way for them to make a big splash this offseason. 

Here are three ways they can do so. 

Even though the Winter Meetings have passed, the Guardians can still upgrade their roster this offseason

Add one hitter to the lineup 

It could be everyone. While there was never any chance the Guardians were going to get Pete Alonso (or have a chance to get Kyle Tucker), there are still plenty of budget options available. 

Harrison Bader is still the best option given the obvious hole in the outfield, but Chris Antonetti kicked off the Winter Meetings by saying that he didn’t want to put anyone in front of young outfielders like Chase DeLauter and George Valera. 

Meanwhile, the Cardinals have floated a variety of veterans in trade talks who are obvious fits for the Guardians, none more so than Brendan Donovan. 

Donovan can play everywhere on the diamond, has a sweet left-handed swing and is still under team control for two more seasons. He’s the perfect fit, but it remains to be seen if the Guardians will be willing to meet St. Louis’ asking price. 

Get one more impact arm in the bullpen 

While Guardians already added to their bullpen by signing Brogdon and selecting Chicago’s Peyton Pallette in the Rule 5 Draft, there’s still room for one more impact arm in the bullpen. 

Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis and Erik Sabrowski are as good of a trio as you can have at the back of the bullpen, but more often than not games can be won or lost by the arms in the middle of the bullpen. 

The good news for the Guardians’ front office is that Brad Keller and Tyler Rogers (arguably the two best arms budget arms available in free agency) are both still available. 

The Guardians’ bullpen was lights out last season after Emmanuel Clase was suspended, and adding Keller or Rogers to the bullpen will ensure that’ll continue over into 2026. 

Extend at least one player on the roster 

A bit vague, we know, but that’s because the front office has a variety of different directions they can go in. Steven Kwan’s ready to be extended (and quickly approaching free agency).

They could try to get in front of things with someone like Parker Messick. Or get even crazier and extend Travis Bazzana ahead of him (hopefully) making his MLB debut in 2026. 

The Guardians have made a habit of giving contract extensions during spring training, and they have plenty of young players on their roster who are contract-eligible. 

While their inability to link Kwan to an extension is frustrating, that shouldn’t stop them from starting extension discussions with some of the other young players on the roster.