For the second time in three seasons, the Guardians lost in the ALCS to an AL East team. Still, given how young and exciting the current Cleveland core is, it’s hard to feel sour about their future. But what do the Guardians need for 2027?
Biggest needs for Guardians
Starting with the offense, the one big question for Cleveland is who’s on first (yes, I’m working in an Abbott & Costello joke).
Last season, the Guardians rode with a tandem of Kyle Manzardo and Rhys Hoskins to start the year. Manzardo slowed flashes in 2024 and 2025, and looked primed to get the bulk of starts against right-handed pitchers. But after a slash line of .215/.306/.378 in 102 games, Manzardo was optioned, and Cleveland looked elsewhere.
Nathaniel Lowe was productive, both in the regular season and playoffs, after he was acquired from the Reds last summer. But he’s a free agent now, as is Hoskins. That leaves Manzardo and CJ Kayfus as the two primary first basemen on the roster.
Cleveland could play the waiting game with Ralphy Velazquez, a primary first baseman who took more reps in left field this season. Or, give him every opportunity to run with things at first. Regardless, that is the lone question mark for the lineup.
Thanks to a young nucleus of Chase DeLauter, Angel Genao, and Travis Bazzana, plus in-season acquisitions Jo Adell and Patrick Bailey — both of whom are under contract for 2027 –Cleveland is fine there.
As for the Guardians’ rotation, it hasn’t been in the club’s nature over the last decade to spend for help. Instead, the club built a steady pipeline from the Minors to the Majors, one that also produced Tanner Bibee, Parker Messick, and Gavin Williams
Right now, there are enough bodies to spare. And the Guardians had Braylon Doughty, Khal Stephen, and Caden Favors work in Double-A this season, plus have Austin Peterson on hand, too.
A depth rotation add, plus a reliever to replace Foster Griffin & Shawn Armstrong, respectively, both make sense. Whether that materializes remains to be seen.
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