The Cleveland Guardians have a date with the Seattle Mariners on March 26. That’s their first game of the 2026 season, one that is filled with hopes and dreams of lifting the World Series trophy.
Cleveland has a bona fide superstar in Jose Ramirez, a good and deep pitching staff, and an up-and-coming group of prospects. Whether or not that’s enough to take them to the promised land remains to be seen, but there’s no denying this team is talented.
Only 26 men will travel to Seattle for that Opening Day date with the M’s, though, and some of the roster spots are still not set in stone.
Here’s an Opening Day roster prediction based on recent developments and trends:
Catchers: Bo Naylor, Austin Hedges, David Fry
Naylor will try to build off a fantastic September in which he had a 136 wRC+, and Hedges will be his backup. Fry will play as long as he can rebound with the bat. If he does, he will split time among multiple positions, including behind the plate.
Infielders: Kyle Manzardo, Rhys Hoskins, Gabriel Arias, Brayan Rocchio, Jose Ramirez, Daniel Schneemann
Schneemann is a perfectly solid utility player and should be able to make the roster, but the Guardians could potentially include Stuart Fairchild as an extra outfielder due to his ability to hit left-handers. Most of their outfielders are lefties, so having someone like Fairchild becomes a necessity. If they go this route, Schneemann’s spot (or Angel Martinez’s) could be in jeopardy.
Manzardo and Hoskins, a minor league signing who is a virtual lock to be included, will likely share time between first base and the designated hitter spot. Ramirez will be the starter at the hot corner, and Rocchio and Arias will take care of the middle infield.
One of Rocchio or Arias could lose his spot a few weeks or months into the season to accommodate star prospect Travis Bazzana, who won’t make the Opening Day roster but might be up in May or June. Offensive performance will determine their fate.
Outfielders: Steven Kwan, Chase DeLauter, George Valera, Angel Martinez
With Cleveland potentially trying out a left field platoon comprised of George Valera and Martinez, the latter is almost a lock to make the roster. He hits lefties well, and that counts. Kwan is an obvious lock, and so is DeLauter, who is projected to start in right field.
Starting pitchers: Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, Slade Cecconi, Logan Allen, Joey Cantillo
There is an outside chance that Parker Messick (1.93 spring ERA) makes the roster and the rotation, but manager Stephen Vogt seems determined to use these five to open the season. All of them are young and have some upside, particularly Williams, Cecconi, and Cantillo.
Relief pitchers: Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis, Erik Sabrowski, Shawn Armstrong, Tim Herrin, Peyton Pallette, Connor Brogdon, Matt Festa
Gaddis, currently trying to come back from right forearm tightness, might be in danger of opening the season on the injured list. He has been throwing bullpens and might make it back in time, though.
The Guardians have other arms fighting for roster spots in camp besides this group: Codi Heuer, Trevor Stephan, Colin Holderman, and Kolby Allard are some of them.
If Gaddis isn’t ready for March 26, Holderman is the favorite to get his place.
NEXT: Stephen Vogt Provides Update On Jose Ramirez Injury
