The Cleveland Guardians had an up-and-down season.
They didn’t fare well in the first half, and it seemed like they didn’t stand a chance of making the playoffs.
Then, they closed the year on a hot streak and rallied to win the AL Central.
With that in mind, Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report recently praised three Guardians players for their impressive 2025 season.
“MVP: 3B Jose Ramirez; Cy Young: RP Cade Smith; ROY: SP/RP Joey Cantillo,” Reuter wrote. “Not only was he one of the top setup relievers in baseball for much of the season, but Cade Smith also stepped seamlessly into the closer’s role after Emmanuel Clase was suspended. The 26-year-old finished with a 2.93 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 12.7 K/9 while tallying 16 saves and 19 holds in 76 games. Joey Cantillo (34 G, 13 GS, 3.21 ERA, 108 K, 95.1 IP) and Parker Messick (7 GS, 2.72 ERA, 38 K, 39.2 IP) both made an impact on the mound, with Cantillo getting the nod for his larger body of work. Both should factor into the team’s 2026 plans in some capacity.”
Of course, it’s not a surprise to see Ramirez on that list.
If anything, it would be shocking if he wasn’t.
The third baseman has been one of the most consistent superstars in the game for the past decade, and he was the driving force behind the team’s late-season surge.
Smith, on the other hand, had to prove that he could be trusted to handle closer duties.
The team desperately needed a solution after the loss of Clase to an MLB gambling investigation, and while manager Stephen Vogt didn’t commit to Smith at first, it became evident that he was the right guy.
He should be given that same role next season and for years to come.
Last but not least, Cantillo certainly earned his place on the staff.
He stayed focused and kept working hard when he was demoted, and he came back up to give the team a much-needed boost.
Now, he’ll certainly be given an opportunity to be in the rotation from the start of the 2026 season.
NEXT: Guardians Make Big Decision With Daniel Espino In AFL
