Chris Antonetti doesn't downplay the Cleveland Guardians' need to get better in the batter's box.
It’s no secret that the Cleveland Guardians didn’t have a great 2025 season in the batter’s box, despite winning the American League Central and reaching the postseason for the third time in the last four seasons.
The Guardians posted a team OPS of .669, ranking 29th in baseball, just behind the Pittsburgh Pirates. The fans knew it was an area the team had to improve, and the front office isn’t hiding from that either.
So, what has Cleveland done to make improvements to its lineup this offseason?
Well, nothing.
However, Chris Antonetti, Guardians President of Baseball Operations, made it clear during a press conference on Thursday that the team must be better on that front in 2026.
“We need to be better offensively. We were not good enough last year,” admitted Antonetti.
Nov 10, 2023; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti, middle, talks to the media during an introductory press conference for new manager Stephen Vogt at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesEven though the Guardians exec shared that the organization explored adding bats via free agency or the trade market, he reiterated that the team does not want to take opportunities away from the young core.
That up-and-coming group includes Chase DeLauter, George Valera, C.J. Kayfus, and eventually Travis Bazzana and Juan Brito.
Bazzana and DeLauter each have star potential, and the rest of the group have the potential to be impact bats in the lineup. Yes, they do need opportunities to prove themselves, and that’s exactly what the organization wants to give them in 2026.
If the core doesn’t pan out the way the team hopes, Antonetti isn’t downplaying the possibility of addressing the lineup at some point throughout the season.
“So, yes, we need to get better. We need to be a better offensive team than we were last year, but our belief is that we can do that with the players on our roster,” continued the Guardians executive.
“If that's not, if that proves not to be correct, I think we've always had the flexibility to address needs during the season. And if that's the way the season shakes out, then I'm confident we'll have the resources to improve the team.”
The Guardians are taking a risk committing to the young and exciting, albeit unproven core. There’s a chance they can take Cleveland over the hump and get the lineup back to mediocrity, or the Guardians could be in a similar position at the deadline and into next offseason, too.
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