Analyzing the Guardians 40-Man Roster to Start the Offseason

Every move that the Cleveland Guardians make this offseason will revolve around one thing: the 40-man roster.

Navigating who is already on the roster, which players could be added, and who the organization is willing to risk leaving off it is always complicated.

As the Cleveland Guardians truly get their offseason moves started, here is where the team’s 40-man roster stands.

The Guardians made a series of roster moves Friday evening, including allowing veteran pitcher Shawn Armstrong to test free agency and signing infield prospect Milan Tolentino to a contract.

After those transactions, Cleveland’s 40-man roster has four vacancies, bringing the total to 36 players.

This doesn’t mean that the Guardians automatically have room to add four free agents to the roster, though. Cleveland must add several prospects to the 40-man roster to protect them in the Rule 5 Draft later this offseason.

Two prospects likely to be added to the roster are OF Jaison Chourio (No. 5) and RHP Justin Campbell (No. 9). It wouldn’t be shocking to see Cleveland protect infielder and catcher Kody Huff and LHP Franklin Gomez, too.

Perhaps the front office will fill all four spots with prospects already in the organization. Right now, it’s still up in the air; the possibility is always there for the front office to add a prospect not on the radar right now. Similar to how Yorman Gomez found his way onto the roster last November.

It’s also important to remember that the Guardians could always make room for additional spots on the 40-man roster by trading or outrighting players, and there are a few candidates for that, too.

This picture will become clearer in the coming weeks. The non-tender deadline is on November 20, and this is when Cleveland could be forced to make some tough decisions with the 40-man roster.

Andrew Walters at one point looked like a future high-leverage option in Cleveland’s bullpen for years to come, but injuries have halted his career. Colin Holderman is in a similar spot after he underwent wrist surgery early last month.

Both pitchers are currently taking up a spot, but could create an opportunity for a healthy player. 

Then there are players like David Fry and Daniel Schneemann, who have been key pieces on the big-league roster for the last two to three years but saw their roles diminish in 2026. Both Fry and Schneemann were optioned to Triple-A at one point during the regular season, even though they were on the playoff roster.

The Guardians have some flexibility with the 40-man roster as of right now, but Cleveland may face tough decisions this offseason.