The Cleveland Guardians are trending toward having one of, if not the lowest, payrolls in all of MLB in 2026 unless the front office decides to make a few splashes in free agency over the coming weeks. It’s not what fans were hoping for, as the team’s needs are abundantly clear heading into a pivotal campaign in which the Guardians will attempt to win the AL Central for a third year in a row.
If ownership isn’t willing to spend to fix the obvious holes on this team, solutions will once again have to come from within. There are some big-time prospects who are just about ready for the show, but when they’re ready to graduate, the wheel keeps spinning, and the team needs to continue restocking the farm. The team got a little help on that front this week after the Boston Red Sox decided to sign former Philadelphia Phillies starter Ranger Suarez to a 5-year, $130 million deal.
Jeff Ellis of Locked On Guardians pointed out that because Suarez received a qualifying offer, the Red Sox will lose their second and fifth-highest draft picks, meaning Cleveland’s second and third-round picks in 2026 just moved up a spot.
“Guardians 2nd and 3rd rounders moves up a spot,” Ellis posted on X.
Guardians 2nd and 3rd rounders moves up a spot https://t.co/LRsjfrJEh9
— Jeffmlbdraft (@jeffMLBdraft) January 14, 2026
It doesn’t sound like much, but every spot counts in the draft. Cleveland is currently slated to pick 19th overall in the first round, 60th overall in the second, and 96th overall in Round 3.
Cleveland’s farm system is looking intriguing at the moment, and it could be the reason why the front office has been hesitant to go buy the big bat the team so clearly needs. Six of the team’s top seven prospects are position players, according to MLB.com, and the top four are all projected to reach the big leagues in 2026. Chase DeLauter could be a starter on Opening Day, and former No. 1 overall pick Travis Bazzana could push his way to becoming the starting second baseman sooner rather than later.
Guys like that make it easier for the front office to remain frugal, but the Guardians will lose a tiny bit of cash when they have to sign these two future draft picks that are now a slot higher.
NEXT: Insider Reveals Why New Guardians Signing Makes Perfect Sense
