As the baseball offseason starts to settle following the Winter Meetings, most teams are turning their attention toward 2026. While a few big-name free agents are still on the board, the Cleveland Guardians find themselves in a familiar spot: a full 40-man roster and a lot of questions about what’s next. But don’t let the numbers fool you - just because the roster looks full doesn’t mean the Guardians are done dealing.
Cleveland made a quiet but purposeful move by signing reliever Colin Holderman to a one-year, $1.5 million deal, rounding out their 40-man. On paper, that might suggest the front office is ready to hibernate until spring training. In reality, this could be the calm before another wave of roster reshuffling - particularly via trade.
According to recent league chatter, including reporting from Ken Rosenthal, there’s a growing trend across MLB: teams are far more interested in acquiring big-league-ready talent than prospects. That shift in market dynamics could actually play in Cleveland’s favor. While the Guardians may not be in the market to add veterans, they could leverage this trend to clear roster space and deepen their farm system - a classic move for a club that thrives on long-term development.
Middle Infield: Crowded and Complicated
One area to watch is the middle infield. Manager Stephen Vogt has already made it clear that Gabriel Arias and Brayan Rocchio will get their chances to earn starting roles in spring training. But behind them, there’s a wave of talent coming fast: top prospects Travis Bazzana, Juan Brito, and Angel Genao are all knocking on the door.
Arias and Rocchio both showed flashes in 2025, but neither locked down a starting role. Arias hit just .220 with an alarming 34.4% strikeout rate and a 40.5% whiff rate.
Rocchio wasn’t much better, batting .233 and spending part of the season in Triple-A. Those numbers don’t scream “untouchable,” but they also don’t erase the potential both players still carry.
In a trade market hungry for major-league experience, even imperfect young players like Arias and Rocchio could draw interest - especially from teams willing to bet on upside.
If the Guardians decide to move one or both, it wouldn’t just be about recouping value. It would be about clearing the runway for the next generation of infielders. Bazzana, Brito, and Genao all offer intriguing skill sets, and Cleveland’s development track record suggests at least one of them could be ready sooner than later.
Outfield Logjam: Power, But Not Production
The outfield picture is just as murky - and just as ripe for change. Johnathan Rodríguez and Nolan Jones are hanging onto roster spots, but neither did much in 2025 to solidify their standing. Jhonkensy Noel was part of that mix too, until the Guardians designated him for assignment.
All three have the kind of raw power that gets scouts’ attention. But that power didn’t translate last season.
None of them hit better than .211, and all posted strikeout rates north of 28%. That’s a tough sell in today’s game, where contact and plate discipline are becoming just as valuable as slugging percentage.
Trading any of them now would be selling low - no doubt about it. But sometimes subtraction is addition.
Moving on from underperforming outfielders could open up opportunities for more promising young players like Chase DeLauter, George Valera, and Petey Halpin. Those three bring a mix of tools and upside that could reshape Cleveland’s outfield over the next few seasons.
What’s Next?
Despite the full 40-man roster, the Guardians still have holes to fill - and not just on the field. They need to create space for rising talent, give their prospects a clearer path to the big leagues, and keep building a roster that can compete sustainably. That’s where smart, strategic trades come in.
The market is shifting, and Cleveland is in a position to take advantage. By moving some of their MLB talent - particularly players who haven’t quite lived up to expectations - they could restock the farm system and create flexibility for the months ahead.
Spring training may still be two months away, but don’t be surprised if the Guardians make a few more moves before pitchers and catchers report. There’s still work to be done - and opportunity to be had.