The Guardians have less than a month to sift through the non-tender market, and there are a few names who could fit what they need if their current teams decide to move on before the Nov. 20 deadline.
One of the more interesting possibilities is left-hander Tanner Banks, who could still get a contract from the Phillies for 2026 through arbitration, but also looks like a real candidate to be cut loose after a rough year. Banks seemed to be building toward a bigger role after posting a 3.07 ERA in 2025, but that momentum stalled in 2026 when his walk rate climbed by four percent and his strikeout rate dropped by a percent.
There is still some appeal here, though. Most of the damage came before he hit the injured list in early July with a hamstring strain, and after he returned he allowed just one run in 7 1/3 innings while working as a multi-inning reliever. His projected $1.4 million salary may not be nothing for a fringe bullpen arm, but the postseason again showed how valuable a reliever who can cover multiple innings can be.
Another name worth watching is Cardinals infielder Nolan Gorman. He broke out in 2023 with 27 home runs in only 119 games, but his stock has fallen since then.
He opened 2024 as St. Louis’ starting second baseman, then got sent to Triple-A in August after posting an MLB-worst 37.6% strikeout rate.
Since then, Gorman has bounced between the majors and Triple-A, and injuries have played a role too. He got into only 85 games with the Cardinals last season and finished with a .580 OPS.
The power is still obvious, and he has seen time at four positions in his career, but the swing-and-miss remains a major issue. His 33.9% strikeout rate is the fifth-highest in baseball since the start of 2023.
That makes him a gamble, but he also brings the one tool the Guardians are said to need badly.
Mark Vientos is the third name on the list, and the Mets infielder brings the same kind of power upside with the same kind of risk attached. He looked like he had worked his way into New York’s core in 2024 after hitting .266/.322/.516 with 27 home runs and 71 RBI for a club that reached the NLCS.
Last season was a different story. Vientos was worth just 0.3 fWAR in 2025, hit 17 home runs, and was a net negative in the 87 big league games he played. He began his career at third base, but spent most of last season at first to open up third base for Bo Bichette’s move there.
In Other News...
Guardians Dream Outfield Fit Would Test Clevelands Willingness To Spend
Randy Arozarenas strong 2026 season with the Mariners has put him back in the center of the free-agent conversation, and it is easy to see why he would draw attention from Cleveland. He gave Seattle a rare blend of impact and athleticism, hitting .281 with 26 home runs and 26 stolen bases, the kind of production that checks a lot of boxes for a Guardians lineup still looking for a right-handed power bat with speed.
The catch, of course, is the price. Arozarena is expected to land a deal in the neighborhood of four years and $90 million or more, which would be a meaningful test of how far Cleveland is willing to stretch financially for a player who could change the shape of its outfield. For a club that usually has to be selective with big commitments, the fit is obvious, but the decision would say plenty about how aggressively the Guardians want to chase a higher ceiling. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Bring Back A Familiar Name With Something Still To Prove
The Guardians added a familiar face back into the organization by claiming infielder Jos Tena off waivers from the Washington Nationals, bringing back a player they know well from his previous stint in Cleveland before he was traded in 2024. Tena gives the club another depth option with the kind of defensive versatility that can matter over a long season, especially for a roster that values players who can move around the infield and even handle the outfield when needed.
What Cleveland is still trying to sort out is whether Tena can take a step forward at the plate. His major league track record has been below average offensively, which is why this move is as much about evaluation as it is about immediate production. For now, the Guardians are betting that a second look at a familiar name might reveal more than the first one did. [Read more 🡒]
Cleveland Keeps Losing Pitching Minds And The Pressure Is Building
Joe Torres is the latest member of Clevelands pitching infrastructure to move on, leaving after five seasons as the clubs assistant pitching coach to take over as pitching coach with the Reds under Terry Francona. It is another reminder of how much of the organizations recent success has been built on continuity, and how often that continuity is tested when other teams come calling with bigger titles and expanded responsibilities.
For Cleveland, the challenge is less about one departure than the pattern itself. The club has watched coaches and front-office personnel leave for other organizations, and now it has to keep the machine running while sorting through internal options such as Brad Goldberg for the open spots. The Guardians have leaned on a clear organizational blueprint for years, but the pressure grows each time another key voice walks out the door. [Read more 🡒]