The Cleveland Guardians seem to be all set in the middle of the infield.
Manager Stephen Vogt will have a good problem on his hands making decisions with that part of the lineup.
That’s especially true if Gabriel Arias keeps this up.
Guardians Prospective reports that the shortstop has been dominant in the early season for Tiburones de La Guaira of the Venezuelan winter league.
He recently reached base three times against Aguilas del Zulia, going 2-for-3 with one double, one triple, one RBI, two runs scored, one walk and one stolen base.
Through his first six winter games, Arias is 7-for-24 with nine runs scored, six RBIs, five walks, one double and one triple.
Cleveland #Guardians 25yr old (SS) Gabriel Arias reached base 3x tonight (2-3 2R 2B 3B RBI BB SB) collecting a pair of XBH including an RBI triple in the 4th inning for @Tiburonesbbc_ vs Aguilas in @LVBP_Oficial play.
Over first six games:
7-24 9R 1(2B) 1(3B) 2HR 6RBI 5BB
AVG… pic.twitter.com/aHaxoO2fMl
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) October 23, 2025
Arias showed flashes of strong play for Cleveland last season, with some timely hits that bailed out the team multiple times in late-game situations.
He’s also a very good defensive player.
Even so, it will take much more than a few good winter league games to hang on to his spot with the Guardians.
The organization is loaded at second base and shortstop, with Juan Brito, Angel Martinez, Daniel Schneemann and Brayan Rocchio.
If that’s not enough, they will likely promote No. 1 pick Travis Bazzana at some point during the 2026 season, if he’s not already on the Opening Day roster.
Arias is showing he is willing to do whatever he can to have a role with Cleveland, but it also could lead to playing time somewhere else if the Guardians decide to move on from him.
NEXT: Guardians Make Big Winter League Decision On Emmanuel Clase
