The Cleveland Guardians clawed their way back into the postseason in 2025, and while their late-season surge was impressive, it’s impossible to ignore that it came hand-in-hand with a full-blown collapse from the Tigers. Still, October baseball is October baseball, and Cleveland earned their spot. What makes that run even more intriguing is that they did it while getting minimal production from several players expected to be everyday contributors.
Now, with a quiet offseason in terms of major free agent splashes, the Guardians are betting on internal improvements. That’s not just a front office talking point - it’s the plan.
The belief is that several key players can bounce back and play a much bigger role in 2026. Let’s take a closer look at three names the Guardians are counting on to turn things around: David Fry, Tim Herrin, and Nolan Jones.
David Fry: The Swiss Army Knife with Something to Prove
When you think about versatility, David Fry is the first guy that comes to mind on this Guardians roster. He’s not just a plug-and-play utility piece - he’s a matchup weapon.
In a lineup that leans heavily left-handed, Fry’s right-handed bat brings balance and flexibility. And for a manager like Stephen Vogt, who’s shown a willingness to mix and match, Fry is the kind of player who opens up the playbook.
Last season was a tough one for Fry. Coming off Tommy John surgery, he returned in June and was limited to designated hitter duties.
The results weren’t pretty - a .171 average and little impact at the plate. But there’s reason to believe that was more about rust than regression.
Vogt has already stated Fry will be working primarily as a catcher in spring training, and that’s a big deal. In 2024, Fry earned an All-Star nod thanks to his ability to move around the diamond and crush left-handed pitching.
If he’s back to full health and catching again, it’s not hard to envision a return to form.
With Bo Naylor locked in as the starting catcher, Fry won’t need to shoulder the full load behind the plate. But his presence gives Vogt a ton of options.
He can start at another position and shift to catcher later in the game, or he can be used as a late-game pinch hitter - someone who doesn’t just hit and sit, but can stay in and contribute defensively. That kind of versatility is rare, and if Fry gets back to anything close to his 2024 form, he’ll be one of the most valuable pieces on the roster.
Tim Herrin: A Power Arm Looking to Reclaim His Role
Tim Herrin’s 2025 season was a tale of two extremes. After being a reliable bullpen arm in 2024, he struggled mightily last year, to the point that he was sent down to Triple-A midseason.
The numbers don’t sugarcoat it - a 6.94 ERA after his return isn’t going to turn heads. But dig a little deeper, and there’s more to the story.
In 15 appearances following his recall, Herrin held opponents scoreless in 11 of them. And when the lights were brightest in the postseason, he delivered 1 1/3 innings of strong relief - a reminder of what he’s capable of when locked in. The Guardians have certainly added plenty of new faces to the bullpen mix this winter - Shawn Armstrong, Connor Brogdon, Collin Holderman, and Peyton Pallette, plus minor league deals for Pedro Avila and Codi Heuer - but Herrin’s profile still has plenty of upside.
The biggest issue last year was command. A 15.5% walk rate is unsustainable, especially in high-leverage spots.
But even with those struggles, Herrin posted a 29.4% whiff rate and kept his barrel rate to just 5.3%. That tells you the stuff is still there - it’s a matter of control and consistency.
He may not enter spring training with a guaranteed spot like he did a year ago, but Herrin is still very much in the mix. If he can find the strike zone more consistently, he has the swing-and-miss stuff to be a key piece in the Guardians’ bullpen again.
Nolan Jones: The High-Ceiling Wild Card
If you’re looking for a true bounce-back candidate, Nolan Jones is the guy. The Guardians reacquired Jones from the Rockies late last spring in a deal that sent Tyler Freeman the other way. At the time, it felt like a low-risk, high-reward move - a chance to bring back a former top prospect who had flashed serious potential in Colorado.
But 2025 didn’t go according to script. Jones struggled at the plate, slashing just .211/.296/.304 with five home runs and 34 RBI over 136 games.
There were moments - a few clutch homers late in the season - but overall, it was a disappointing campaign. Despite that, the Guardians decided to tender him a $2 million contract before the non-tender deadline in November, signaling that they still believe in his upside.
And to be fair, there are reasons to be optimistic. Jones’ batted ball metrics were above average, suggesting he wasn’t completely overmatched.
The big issue? A 28% strikeout rate that kept him from making consistent contact.
If he can cut that number down even a little, his power and athleticism could start to shine through.
The Guardians aren’t just keeping Jones around out of loyalty - they see a path for him to contribute meaningfully in 2026. Whether he’s an everyday outfielder or a matchup-based bat off the bench, the tools are still there. It’s just a matter of putting them together.
The Bottom Line
The Guardians didn’t chase headlines this offseason, but that doesn’t mean they’re standing still. Instead, they’re banking on internal growth - a bet that Fry, Herrin, and Jones can bounce back and help elevate a roster that already found its way to October.
It’s a calculated risk, but one that could pay off in a big way if these three players return to form. And if they do?
Cleveland might not need another collapse from a division rival to punch their postseason ticket in 2026.