The 2025 Cleveland Guardians won the AL Central title but were eliminated in the Wild Card round. This time, they want a much longer postseason stint, one that hopefully delivers the first World Series title since 1948.
The 2026 Guardians are deep and talented, and boast one of the best farm systems in baseball to feed the major league roster or help attract some star-level talent via trades.
However, to have a chance at lifting the World Series trophy at the end of the season, a lot of things would have to go right. What exactly needs to happen? Team insider Tim Stebbins takes a look.
“The offense taking a step,” Stebbins wrote. “There are no secrets here. The Guardians need more offensive production than they received in 2025, when they won the AL Central title despite their lineup’s collective struggles. Cleveland’s pitching staff gives it a good foundation, and the addition of first baseman Rhys Hoskins should help.”
One reason the Guardians have so much potential this year is that they should have a better offense and more talent and upside among position players, at least compared to 2025. As Stebbins pointed out, these young hitters can elevate the team’s overall ceiling.
“The success of this season will be determined by whether returning hitters take a step forward, and the contributions the club receives from promising up-and-comers such as Chase DeLauter (Cleveland’s No. 2 prospect and No. 46 overall, per MLB Pipeline), George Valera, CJ Kayfus, and others,” he explained.
You can add former No. 1 pick Travis Bazzana to that group, as he is expected to be called up at some point in the first half. The gap between Gabriel Arias and Bazzana could be huge and might tilt a hypothetical division race in Cleveland’s favor.
To put it simply, the Guardians have fewer offensive liabilities in the lineup than last year, and more hitters with real upside and a solid floor. They will have to prove this on the field and at the batter’s box, though, where it counts.
The pitching staff is also steady, young, and hungry, with multiple pitchers with All-Star upside. The bullpen might not be the backbone of the Guardians’ success as it has been in recent years, but it is far from a liability.
Overall, it should be a fun year for Cleveland baseball.
NEXT: Guardians Getting Little Respect From Oddsmakers
