Ranking the impact of the Guardians’ major offseason trades and signings

While the Guardians didn’t make a ton of moves this offseason, you can tell there were still some clear goals in mind with the moves they made. Those goals don’t take away from their unwillingness to make cheap, impactful moves, but they’re goals nonetheless. 

So, with that in mind, here’s a look at five moves the Guardians made to help with their goals getting better in the bullpen and younger in the outfield. 

Ranking the Guardians’ major offseason trades and signings

5. Add Kahlil Watson to 40-man roster 

While Watson may not be a household name, there seems to be a good chance that he could end up making some kind of big league impact for the Guardians in 2026. 

Watson has shifted over to being an outfielder after starting his career as an infielder, and finished last season with 16 home runs and 61 RBI across 102 games at Double-A and Triple-A. 

Even though Watson likely won’t be the first outfielder the Guardians call up, he could end up forcing his way into the big league picture in September in a similar fashion to what George Valera did last season. 

Adding to the 40-man roster is the first step in that journey. 

4. Sign Kolby Allard to minor league contract 

Not the flashiest signing, but it’s the kind of move that winning teams make. Last season Allard posted a 2.63 ERA in 65 innings despite moving around to a variety of roles and being DFA’d in the middle of the season after Luis Ortiz was placed on paid leave. 

Allard did everything the Guardians asked of him last season, but the Guardians still elected to non-tender him after the season. But he’s back in the fold on a minor league deal and is one of the top candidates to earn a big league bullpen spot. 

It may not happen at the end of spring training, but there’s a good chance that Allard could end the season as one of the team’s top bullpen options. 

3. Sign Stuart Fairchild to minor league contract 

Another player signed to a minor league contract, Fairchild comes to Cleveland on the back of a largely unremarkable 2025 season spent mostly with the Braves. 

But Fairchild can play all three outfield positions, is an above-average baserunner and is tough to strike out, which makes him the perfect player to add to Cleveland’s outfield picture. 

The Guardians have an abundance of young outfielders who seem poised to get more playing time in 2026, but there seems to be a way for Fairchild to fit into that picture as well. 

2. Sign Shawn Armstong to one-year deal

The lone big league signing on this list, Armstrong was the final (big league) piece the Guardians added to their bullpen and is arguably the most important. 

Armstrong put together the best season of his career last year with the Rangers when he had a 2.31 ERA in 74 innings along with being among the league’s best at limiting hard contact. 

He may not have crazy strikeout stuff but he is one the league’s craftiest relievers and will be a valuable set up option alongside Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis. 

1. Sign Rhys Hoskins to minor league contract 

The final move came at the buzzer. While Hoskins’ signing didn’t break the Guardians’ offseason drought of signing a hitter to a big league contract, it seems like Hoskins being on a minor league deal is a bit of a formality. If Hoskins is healthy, he should break camp with the Guardians. 

Hoskins isn’t the best fit on the roster given that he’s going to take away some at-bats from Kyle Manzardo, he provides a good balance to the lineup while also giving the Guardians an extreme power threat. 

Last year the Guardians didn’t have nearly enough power behind José Ramírez, but Hoskins should change that. It won’t take long for his $1.5 million deal to look like a discount.