This story was excerpted from Tim Stebbins' Guardians Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
CLEVELAND -- It doesn’t seem all that long ago when we watched the Guardians celebrate at Progressive Field after they finished off a historic comeback to clinch the American League Central title.
And yet, the new year is upon us, and we’re only about one month away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training. The Guardians will then open Cactus League play on Feb. 21, and Opening Day will follow soon after on March 26.
It’s not too soon to begin looking ahead to the 2026 campaign. Here are five early intriguing storylines ahead for the Guardians.
Ramírez’s push for 300
When José Ramírez belted a solo home run in the first inning of the Guardians’ 6-0 win over the Twins on Sept. 20, he became the first Cleveland player to record three seasons with 30 homers and 30 steals. More history awaits the 33-year-old this year.
Ramírez’s homer against Minnesota was No. 285 in his decorated career. He’s on the precipice of becoming the second player to hit 300 home runs in a Cleveland uniform, following franchise home run leader Jim Thome (who hit 337). When Ramírez hits his 15th homer in 2026, he’ll become the 20th third baseman in MLB history to hit 300 long balls (minimum 50 percent of games played at the position).
It felt like Ramírez made some form of history each week in 2025, and that only figures to continue in ’26.
A longer look at DeLauter
Chase DeLauter stands as one of the Guardians’ most intriguing players heading into Spring Training. The 24-year-old (who’s ranked as Cleveland’s No. 2 prospect and No. 58 overall by MLB Pipeline) will be vying for a spot on the Opening Day roster after he made his big league debut on the postseason stage this past fall.
DeLauter has long been one of Cleveland’s top prospects; health is the only thing that has slowed his big league timeline. He provided a taste of what he can do in the AL Wild Card Series against the Tigers, and that may only be an appetizer to what he contributes in 2026.
The starting rotation composition
The Guardians’ starting rotation was their biggest question mark heading into 2025. The staff ended the season as Cleveland’s biggest strength, and it’s shaping up to be one of the club’s most intriguing positional groups to watch in Spring Training.
The Guardians have six viable starters in Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Slade Cecconi, Logan Allen, Joey Cantillo and Parker Messick. But they are set to go back to a five-man rotation this season, after ending 2025 with a six-man rotation that spurred the division title, and expect to have competition with the group this spring.
Cleveland’s rotation ranked second in the Majors with a 2.60 ERA in September. There's flexibility within the unit; Cantillo has experience pitching in relief and Messick has Minor League options remaining. But however the staff shakes out, it will look to build upon its 2025 momentum in ’26.
Closer Cade
The Guardians have to plan this winter as if they won’t have Emmanuel Clase, and they’re set to turn to Cade Smith in the ninth inning next season after he took over closing duties down the stretch in 2025. Our first extended look at Smith in that role was promising.
Clase went on non-disciplinary paid leave amid an ongoing MLB investigation on July 28. From that point through the end of the regular season, Smith logged a 2.79 ERA and a 1.76 FIP with 39 strikeouts in 29 innings over 30 appearances, while converting 13 of his 17 save opportunities.
Smith has proven to have a slow heartbeat over his first two seasons in the Majors, and we’re set to get a larger look at his steadiness at the back end of games for the Guardians in 2026.
Bazzana’s timeline
DeLauter could make his regular-season debut on Opening Day, and Travis Bazzana’s MLB debut may not be too far behind. Bazzana (the Guardians’ No. 1 prospect, No. 17 overall) finished last season with Triple-A Columbus, following his promotion to the Clippers on Aug. 10, putting the 2024 No. 1 overall Draft pick one step away from The Show.
Bazzana will all but assuredly open 2026 with Columbus, and the Guardians will not rush him to the big leagues. But it’s not far-fetched to envision the 23-year-old wearing a Cleveland uniform come summertime. His status will be an ongoing storyline this spring and come the start of the Minor League season.