Guardians Prepared to Pivot if Young Hitters Struggle Again

Chris Antonetti says front office will be ready to make moves during the season if needed

Jan. 31, 2026 at 4:31am

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The Cleveland Guardians are prepared to make changes during the regular season if their young position players struggle at the plate for a second straight year, according to team president Chris Antonetti. The Guardians have money available to make trades, but Antonetti acknowledged that pivoting during a season while still trying to win is difficult.

Why it matters

The Guardians' young core of hitters, including stars like Jose Ramirez, struggled to produce consistently in 2025. If that trend continues, the team may need to be proactive and make roster changes to stay in contention in the AL Central.

The details

Antonetti said the organization could pivot during the regular season if their young position players don't produce. The Guardians have money available to make trades, but Antonetti noted that making changes mid-season while still trying to win is challenging. The team is hoping their young hitters, including prospects like Travis Bazzana, can take a step forward in 2026 after a disappointing 2025 campaign.

  • The Guardians' 2026 season begins on March 26.

The players

Chris Antonetti

The president of baseball operations for the Cleveland Guardians.

Jose Ramirez

The star third baseman for the Cleveland Guardians, who recently signed a five-year, $175 million contract extension with the team.

Travis Bazzana

A top Guardians prospect who was the team's first-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The Guardians will be closely monitoring the performance of their young hitters during spring training and the early part of the 2026 season. If the struggles continue, the front office will be ready to make roster moves to try and keep the team in contention in the AL Central.

The takeaway

The Guardians are committed to their young core of players, but they are also prepared to be proactive and make changes if necessary to keep the team competitive. This approach reflects the team's desire to balance long-term development with short-term success.