The Cleveland Guardians’ offseason plans are starting to come into focus. Earlier this week, Chris Antonetti told The Athletic that the club’s payroll will go up in 2027. Now the president of baseball operations has revealed where some of that money could be headed. Speaking with reporters at the General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas, Antonetti made it clear the rotation is near the top of the to do list.
“We’re looking to add starting pitching. We need more,” Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti told reporters, including MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince, this week at the General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas. “Trade, free agency, if we can add a starter, we want to do that.”
Antonetti added that the Guardians would explore both the trade market and free agency to land a starter. That is a notable shift for an organization that usually fills rotation spots with its own players.
Cleveland is not in a desperate spot. Unlike two years ago, the club has enough internal depth to build a rotation. Gavin Williams and Parker Messick anchored the staff in 2026, with Messick finishing third in the AL Cy Young voting. Tanner Bibee is also in the mix, and the team is hoping he bounces back after an inconsistent season that cost him a spot in the playoff rotation. Logan Allen, Joey Cantillo and Slade Cecconi round out the group. Cantillo will prepare as a starter this winter after command issues pushed him into a relief role, and Cecconi will rebuild his workload after spending time in the bullpen.
Daniel Espino is the biggest wild card. The former top prospect missed most of 2022 through 2025 after two right shoulder surgeries, and the team has not decided whether he will start or relieve next season.
That uncertainty is why another arm makes sense. Foster Griffin threw 172 2/3 innings this season and is now a free agent, and the Guardians want to avoid leaning on unproven pitchers for too many starts.
Castrovince listed several free agents who could fit Cleveland’s price range, including Tyler Mahle, Casey Mize, Jack Flaherty, Michael Soroka, Matthew Boyd, Kris Bubic and David Peterson. Detroit’s Tarik Skubal headlines the market, but he is expected to land a contract far beyond what Cleveland has ever spent.
A reunion with Griffin is also possible. He struggled in the regular season after arriving at the deadline, posting a 5.19 ERA in nine starts, but he was better in October with a 3.48 ERA and started Game 1 of the ALCS. Antonetti praised the left-hander, saying Griffin showed he can be a really effective major league pitcher. The question is whether Cleveland is willing to match the multiyear offers he is expected to receive elsewhere.
Whatever route the front office takes, the message is clear. The Guardians know their rotation needs another reliable arm, and with a payroll increase on the way, they finally appear ready to go get one.
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