The Cleveland Guardians are entering the second week of their offseason after losing the ALCS to the Tampa Bay Rays. It is time to evaluate the entire organization and make some player moves that are deemed necessary.
While the major league team and its pending free agents will draw most of the attention, there are other moves that will be made as well. That includes parting with some prospects who did not pan out for one reason or another.
According to Guardians Prospective, Cleveland is parting ways with young pitching prospect Javier Pedreanez, whose career was derailed by injury.
“Cleveland Guardians have released 20-year-old RHP prospect Javier Pedreanez. Pedreanez signed on 1/15/25 out of Venezuela [and] missed the entire 2025 season undergoing [Tommy John] surgery. He made his pro debut in 2026, pitching in just four games,” Guardians Prospective posted.
Cleveland #Guardians have released 20yr old RHP prospect Javier Pedreanez.
Pedreanez signed on 1/15/25 out of Venezuela missed the entire 2025 season undergoing TJ Surgery.
He made his pro-debut in 2026 pitching in just four games.
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) October 26, 2026
Pitching in the Dominican Summer League, Pedreanez allowed two runs (one earned), four hits and three walks with four strikeouts in 6.2 innings. All of his appearances from June 1 through June 15 were in relief, with none lasting more than 2.1 innings.
While it is difficult to give up on any young prospect, this could be a case of the Guardians not seeing what they needed from Pedreanez in his comeback. It also could be providing him an opportunity to sign with another organization, where he might have a better chance to break through.
According to MLB.com, the Guardians have seven right-handed pitchers among their top 23 overall prospects. They are Liam Peterson (No. 6), Justin Campbell (No. 9), Khal Stephen (No. 11), Joey Oakie (No. 13), Savion Sims (No. 17), and Will Hynes (No. 23).
Among them, only Campbell and Stephen pitched above Single-A last season. So the Guardians may believe they have enough top-end depth in that area.
Cleveland does have some decisions to make when the free agent period opens once the World Series ends. Starter Foster Griffin and reliever Shawn Armstrong are both eligible to explore the market, and the Guardians may choose to let each of them move on based on their expected cost.
There are many more moves likely to come in the weeks ahead, at every level of the organization, leading into an uncertain offseason based on the MLB labor situation.
NEXT: Insider Names Guardians Free Agent With No Chance Of Returning
