The Cleveland Guardians have publicly praised first-base prospect Ralphy Velazquez, who put up a 142 wRC+, hit 29 home runs, and drove in 93 runs this year between Double-A and Triple-A. They say he is the future at the cold corner and that he will be given a chance to win the job in spring training.
However, the Guardians also have Kyle Manzardo, who was the first baseman/designated hitter in 2025 and during a big part of the 2026 campaign, before the Nathaniel Lowe trade. Manzardo was a below-average hitter this year, but he put up a 113 wRC+ last season with 27 round-trippers. There’s significant power potential in his left-handed bat.
Additionally, the Guardians still have CJ Kayfus, another first base-type with a power-hitting profile who had a rough 2026. There is a position player logjam in the organization, with plenty of outfielders and catchers, too.
How do you solve it? By wheeling and dealing, as Joe Noga of Cleveland.com suggests.
“Solve one of your pitching problems by trading Manzardo or packaging him with a prospect,” he said.
Well, they say that you can never have enough pitching. The Guardians have an excellent bullpen, but there is room for another difference-maker there. The rotation, however, would be the most logical position to target.
The unit has Gavin Williams and Parker Messick, but Tanner Bibee wasn’t trusted in the postseason; Joey Cantillo and Slade Cecconi also had a reduced role, and Foster Griffin is set to become a free agent.
Bibee and Cantillo will likely have a rotation spot next year, but if the Guardians can use Manzardo plus some prospects to bring in a quality starter, their rotation would improve considerably. The first baseman brings in little defensive value, but he does have considerable offensive potential, as we all saw in 2025.
The winter will be very long, but likely interrupted by the looming lockout. The Guardians’ front office, led by some of the most capable people in the league, will have to get creative to solve the position player logjam while reinforcing the pitching staff at the same time.
NEXT: Stephen Vogt Reveals What Gives Him Confidence In Guardians’ Future
