The 2025 Winter Meetings have come and gone, and it was a rather quiet week for the Guardians in Orlando, Fla.
Cleveland was not alone in that regard amid slow-moving trade and free-agent markets, and there’s obviously a lot of time left this offseason for roster maneuvering. At the very least, the Winter Meetings provided an opportunity to lay some groundwork for moves that could happen in the coming weeks and months.
Let’s take a look at where things stand for the Guardians at this point in the offseason.
BIGGEST REMAINING NEEDS
1. Offense
This may sound like a broken record, but the offense remains a key area for the Guardians.
Cleveland appears most inclined to explore potential additions who can complement its position player mix, as it wants to provide its young and up-and-coming players opportunities and runway next season. The Guardians’ decision-makers even spent several hours on Monday deliberating how to best dole out at-bats next season -- and the impact an acquisition would have on the opportunities available for the younger players.
In that vein, one fit could be a right-handed hitting outfielder to join a mix of left-handed hitters, including youngsters Chase DeLauter, C.J. Kayfus and George Valera.
2. Bullpen
The Guardians are in the market for relievers. They’ve spent extensive time evaluating different avenues to enhance their mix, from free agency to trades. The signing of Connor Brogdon to a one-year deal last week was a start, but Cleveland will look to acquire more bullpen help this winter.
3. Rotation depth
While the Guardians ended 2025 with a six-man rotation, it could make sense to add some depth to their mix, even if it’s someone on a Minor League contract. Their 40-man roster depth includes Daniel Espino, Doug Nikhazy and Austin Peterson (who finished the Minor League season with Triple-A Columbus) and Yorman Gómez (who finished with Double-A Akron).
Espino returned to the mound on Sept. 20 with Columbus for his first game action since April 2022. Given he went through two right shoulder surgery recoveries in between, the Guardians will be mindful of his progression heading into Spring Training. They plan to meet with him and their medical staff to discuss what role -- starting or relieving -- makes the most sense for him.
HE SAID IT
“We need depth in the bullpen. We have four, maybe five guys in our bullpen, and we need eight. It’s an area we're addressing for sure.” -- manager Stephen Vogt
RULE 5 DRAFT
The Guardians added potential bullpen depth when they selected right-hander Peyton Pallette from the White Sox in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft, bringing their 40-man roster to 39.
Cleveland later selected right-hander Jack Carey from Pittsburgh in the Minor League phase of the Rule 5. The Guardians did not lose any players in the process.
Pallette (who was ranked Chicago’s No. 14 prospect by MLB Pipeline and is now No. 19 in the Guardians' organization) was the White Sox second-round pick in the 2022 Draft. This past season, the 24-year-old recorded a 4.06 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP with 86 strikeouts and 28 walks in 64 1/3 innings over 52 relief appearances between Double-A and Triple-A.
According to Pipeline's scouting report, Pallette works at 94-96 mph with his fastball and touches 98 mph. He also features a curveball, changeup and slider as a reliever.
Carey, 26, logged a 3.63 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and 23 walks in 57 innings over 44 relief appearances between High-A and Double-A this past season. He could be part of the depth mix in Triple-A and an option for a call up when the Guardians need a reliever.
MORE FROM THIS WEEK
• President of baseball operations Chris Antonetti discussed the balance between adding to the offense and the opportunities Cleveland wants to provide its young talent. Read more >>
• The Guardians have spent a lot of time evaluating potential bullpen additions this offseason. Read more >>
• For the second consecutive year, a distinguished member of Cleveland media will take their place in Cooperstown. Longtime beat writer Paul Hoynes was named the winner of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s Platinum Pen Award (formerly known as the Career Excellence Award) on Tuesday. Read more >>
GM’S BOTTOM LINE
“It's finding that right balance of patience and urgency. Obviously, we have urgency. We want to win as many games as we can and compete for a World Series, but with each individual, have enough patience to give them an opportunity to be productive players.” -- Antonetti
Anthony Castrovince contributed to this report from Orlando.