3 Winter Meetings rumors that should both terrify and excite Guardians fans

The 2025 MLB Winter Meetings have concluded and the Cleveland Guardians are precisely where they started: a team with elite pitching but a barren offense.

While the front office remained conspicuously quiet amidst a flurry of activity the rumors around the team should inspire a potent mix of excitement and genuine fear among the Guardians faithful as the team prepares for 2026.

The Guardians' performance at the Winter Meetings was a mixed bag

The Excitement: Division rivals may weaken

The most exhilarating news for Cleveland fans came not from the Guardians' table, but from their division rival in Detroit. A persistent and credible rumor that the Tigers are truly listening to offers on ace Tarik Skubal sent shockwaves through the league. Skubal, the two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, is one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, and his looming presence makes any AL Central race a nightmare.

Getting one of the best pitchers in the game out of the division, even if he is traded to a powerful team like the Dodgers or Mets, would be a colossal victory for the Guardians' playoff hunt, immediately easing the pressure on their young lineup.

Adding to the excitement is the clarity regarding Steven Kwan. Coming into the meetings there were a lot of rumors suggesting the Guardians would listen to offers for their star left fielder, but all the reports from the meeting indicated the team has "no intention" of trading him unless they are completely "blown away."

This is excellent news for a team in desperate need of offensive stability. Kwan is one of the team's only consistent offensive weapons, a four-time Gold Glove winner, and a contact machine. The Guardians choosing to keep Kwan confirms the organization is prioritizing immediate competition over rebuilding, retaining a cornerstone around which the offense must be built.

The Anxiety: A bullpen still lacking established options

The source of the Guardians' anxiety lies in their methodical, budget-conscious approach to filling necessary roles. While President Chris Antonetti stated the bullpen was the biggest focus heading into the meetings, the results were underwhelming, as their big moves were signing veterans Connor Brogdon and Colin Holderman and adding Peyton Pallette via the Rule 5 Draft. However, Brogdon and Holderman are reclamation projects with recent struggles, and Pallette is a high-upside, but entirely unproven, prospect who must stick on the Major League roster.

The Guardians' typical strategy of finding value has left them picking at the bottom of the barrel while top-tier relievers like Devin Williams, Raisel Iglesias, and Ryan Helsley signed elsewhere. If the Guardians do not act fast to acquire one or two more established, mid-tier arms (like Hunter Harvey or Kirby Yates, who remain available), they risk the unproven arms cracking, forcing the young core of their starting rotation to carry an unsustainable load.

The Fear: Still no additions to major league lineup

Right now the Guardians' main overriding fear is the complete lack of action on the offensive side of the ball. The Winter Meetings have come and gone, yet the Guardians have not so much as sniffed a new bat for the lineup. Star hitters like Pete Alonso, Kyle Schwarber, and others have signed deals, leaving the Guardians' biggest need, a middle-of-the-order slugger, still glaringly unaddressed.

The front office's reported reluctance to acquire an external bat stems from a desire not to block young outfielders like Chase DeLauter and George Valera. However, entering 2026 with a lineup relying on prospects for power, without the safety net of a veteran, is a dangerous risk that flies in the face of the team's championship window.

The time for value hunting is dwindling, and the Guardians must shift their focus to aggressively acquiring the offensive upgrade their pitching staff deserves before the market completely dries up.