The Cleveland Guardians made waves at last year’s Winter Meetings with a flurry of moves that included sending Andrés Giménez to Toronto and bringing in Luis Ortiz. That kind of blockbuster activity might not be in the cards this time around, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Chris Antonetti, it’s that he’s not afraid to shake things up when the hot stove is burning brightest.
With the 2025 Winter Meetings on deck, the Guardians head into the week with a roster that could be ripe for retooling. Whether it’s clearing space for top prospects or capitalizing on players whose value may never be higher, Cleveland has options-and a few names stand out as potential trade chips.
Here’s a closer look at five Guardians who could be on the move.
LHP Logan Allen: The Reliable Arm With Trade Value
Logan Allen isn’t going to headline a blockbuster deal, but he’s exactly the kind of arm that gets quietly included in multi-player trades and ends up logging 150+ innings for a new team. He’s not flashy-his fastball sits just above 90 mph, and his underlying metrics (barrel rate, walk rate) don’t jump off the page-but he’s dependable.
Allen made 29 starts last season and went at least five innings in 22 of them. That kind of durability has value, especially for a team looking to stabilize the back end of its rotation. He finished the year with a 4.25 ERA over a career-high 156 2/3 innings, and while that won’t turn heads, it’s the kind of production that rebuilding teams-think the Cardinals-could use in a transitional year.
He’s not a front-line starter, but he’s a solid piece. And in the right deal, he could help the Guardians add a bat or clear a path for younger arms.
SS Gabriel Arias: High Ceiling, Uncertain Fit
Gabriel Arias is one of the more intriguing trade candidates on this list. The tools are there-an 80-grade arm, elite defensive potential, and raw power-but the bat hasn’t caught up.
In 129 games last season, he hit just .220 and finished in the bottom percentile in both whiff rate and strikeout rate. That’s a tough combo for an everyday shortstop.
Still, Arias showed flashes, including a memorable three-run homer in August that reminded everyone why he was once a top prospect. But with Cleveland eyeing an offensive upgrade and top prospect Travis Bazzana waiting in the wings, Arias could be the odd man out.
A trade could be the reset both sides need. For the Guardians, it clears a lane for Bazzana and potentially brings back a more consistent bat. For Arias, it’s a chance to find a team willing to bet on his upside and give him a fresh start.
LHP Joey Cantillo: Rising Stock, Tough Decisions
Joey Cantillo might be the Guardians’ most valuable trade chip this winter-not because they want to move him, but because his value may never be higher.
After starting the 2025 season in the bullpen, Cantillo finished strong as part of a six-man rotation. His September was electric: 2-0, 1.55 ERA, 28 strikeouts in 29 innings. That performance earned him AL Rookie of the Month honors and turned heads across the league.
Cantillo’s fastball doesn’t light up the radar gun (it averages just under 92 mph), but his elite extension makes it play up. He gets on hitters quickly, and the results speak for themselves.
The Guardians are flush with young pitching, and if they’re looking to consolidate talent or add a bat, Cantillo could be the key. He’s MLB-ready, controllable, and coming off a breakout. That’s a rare combo-and one that could fetch a significant return.
OF Nolan Jones: Still Searching for Consistency
Nolan Jones is back in Cleveland after a winding road that saw him return at the end of spring training. The Guardians tendered him a $2 million contract ahead of the non-tender deadline, signaling they still see potential. But after a season where he hit just .211 with five home runs, the clock is ticking.
To be fair, the underlying numbers weren’t all bad. Jones ranked in the 70th percentile in hard-hit rate and 66th in average exit velocity. There’s still some juice in the bat-but the results haven’t matched the metrics.
With a crowded outfield and a front office that’s shown it’s not afraid to move on, trading Jones could be a clean way to hit reset. He’s a change-of-scenery candidate who might benefit from a fresh start, and the Guardians could use the roster flexibility.
OF Jhonkensy Noel: Power Bat, Limited Options
Jhonkensy Noel became a household name in Cleveland during the 2024 ALCS, when he launched a game-tying bomb against the Yankees that felt like a franchise moment. But since then, it’s been a struggle. He hit just .162 in 69 games last season and spent more than half the year in Triple-A.
The power is real-Noel can hit baseballs where few others can-but the holes in his game are just as real. His 34% strikeout rate is a red flag, and he’s not bringing much value defensively.
Complicating matters further, he’s out of minor league options. If the Guardians want to take him off the 40-man roster, they’ll have to expose him to waivers.
That puts Cleveland in a tough spot. Trading Noel might be the best move for all parties. There’s always a market for power, and a team with more flexibility might be willing to take a chance on his upside.
Final Thoughts
The Guardians aren’t in teardown mode, but they are in transition. With a wave of young talent knocking on the door and a few roster logjams to sort through, the Winter Meetings offer a chance to get creative.
Whether it’s moving a rising arm like Cantillo for a big bat, or flipping a player like Arias or Jones for a fresh start elsewhere, Cleveland has options-and a front office that’s proven it knows how to work the phones.
Buckle up. The Guardians may not be done dealing just yet.