New comments from Chris Antonetti provide insight into Guardians’ offseason approach

In 2025, the Cleveland Guardians broke camp with a bullpen consisting of Emmanuel Clase, Hunter Gaddis, Cade Smith, Tim Herrin, Paul Sewald, Jakob Junis, Triston McKenzie, Joey Cantillo. 

As of now, it looks like only Smith, Gaddis and Herrin will be the only three of those players who will trek out to the bullpen at T-Mobile Park on March 26 on Opening Day. 

After having a three-year reign as one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, Clase is on paid leave due to a sports betting investigation and was just arrested as part of a federal investigation. 

Junis put together a great year for the Guardians but is a free agent and isn’t a lock to return. McKenzie spent most of the year in the minors and is also a free agent, while Sewald finished the year with the Tigers after being traded at the deadline. Cantillo’s still in the fold, but likely as a starter after a strong finish to the year. 

While the Guardians have proven they’re one of baseball’s best franchises at developing young bullpen talent, we also got confirmation earlier this week from Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti that the bullpen won’t go unaddressed this offseason. 

Chris Antonetti confirms the Guardians will address their bullpen and outfield this offseason

In an interview with reporters at the MLB General Managers Meetings, Antonetti addressed the topic of Cleveland’s bullpen, telling reporters “that'll be a place where I think we will look at external options to add to the depth of that group.”

Along with losing Sewald and McKenzie (neither of whom did much during their time in Cleveland’s ‘pen), they also won’t have Kolby Allard (who Cleveland non-tendered after a strong season) and Nic Enright, who will miss all of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. 

As of now, the locks for the bullpen are Smith, Gaddis, Herrin and Matt Festa. Andrew Walters and Sam Hengtes could also fit into the equation depending on how the rehab process goes for the injuries that limited them in 2025. 

This year’s free agent reliever class is headlined by former All-Stars Edwin Díaz and Robert Suarez, both of whom will likely be seeking large, multi-year deals in free agency. Although losing Clase hurt (and will continue to hurt), adding a pitcher like Díaz or Suarez isn’t as big of a need thanks to the presence of Smith.

Instead, they should turn their attention toward adding a pitcher who could work as a bridge reliever to Gaddis and Smith, much like they did with Junis last offseason. Some options who would make sense in that role are Luke Weaver, Phil Maton and Pete Fairbanks, though they could all want more in free agency than the Guardians were willing to offer. 

Additionally, Antonetti talked about the outfield picture, saying that the team is interested in giving more opportunities to young players but that “if there is that right external acquisition that we think makes sense for us, we'll pursue it.”

Chase DeLauter and George Valera are two of those aforementioned young outfielders who should get a look after they saw playing time in the postseason, while Petey Halpin also could get a look as well. 

The Guardians have a solid group of outfield prospects in Jace LaViolette, Jaison Chourio, Alfonsin Rosario and Kahlil Watson, but it’s hard to believe any of them will be a part of the Opening Day picture.