Latest Kyle Manzardo update should be music to Guardians' fans ears

Last season Kyle Manzardo provided the Guardians’ offensively-challenged lineup with some much-needed pop in the form of 27 home runs and 70 RBI. 

And while those numbers were the second-highest totals on the Guardians behind José Ramírez, the Guardians let Manzardo know during the offseason that they were going to need more from him in 2026. 

And it seems like he took that lesson to heart. 

Last night, Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes published a story on Manzardo’s offseason, where he reported that the hulking slugger added 14 pounds of muscle in the offseason, which is an incredibly encouraging development for a Guardians team that’s in desperate need of offense. 

Kyle Manzardo could be an X-factor for the Guardians in 2026 

Part of the reason why the Guardians decided to pay Carlos Santana $12 million for his ill-fated deal was because they felt Manzardo wasn’t at a point where physically where he could be an everyday first baseman. 

And that ended up being somewhat true, as Manzardo had a .740 OPS across the final two months of the season after having a .936 OPS in July. 

While the Guardians outrighted Santana off their roster at the start of September, he still finished the year with just 56 appearances at first base compared to 84 at designated hitter. 

He also had just seven hits over the final two weeks of the season before going 1-for-11 in the postseason. But that could change in 2026 thanks to Manzardo’s newly-bulked up frame. 

“I can’t think of anybody who wasn’t worn down by the end of the year,” Manzardo said, per Hoynes. “But I feel like I may have been feeling it a little bit more than some of my teammates. That let me know, ‘OK, I’ve got to get after it this offseason and come back stronger.’”

The Guardians did their part to add some insurance to that picture this offseason by adding Rhys Hoskins, though his presence on the roster shouldn’t take away from Manzardo’s playing time in the same way that Santana did last season. 

C.J. Kayfus and David Fry could also fit into the first base picture, but they both can play other positions. Meanwhile, Manzardo’s a full-time first baseman, so if the Guardians want him in the lineup he’s going to be in there at first or designated hitter. 

The Guardians should have more flexibility at designated hitter thanks to David Fry being able to move around the diamond again, so there’s clearly an avenue for both Hoskins and Manzardo to be in the lineup at the same time. 

Imagine that, a Guardians lineup with two pure power threats in it at the same time. 

Manzardo’s been a much-needed addition to the Guardians’ lineup since he made his debut midway through the 2024 season, but it’s clear that he’s only scratched the surface of what he can bring to the table.