The Cleveland Guardians have numerous intriguing narratives to follow throughout 2026.
As the calendar flips to 2026, there are many narratives surrounding the Cleveland Guardians. Here are the top storylines to track throughout the year.
Guardians Have Chance to Three-Peat As AL Central Champions In 2026 If...
The Guardians certainly faced their fair share of adversity both on the field and off of it in 2025, but they still ended the season in the same place they have 12 other times throughout the franchise’s history: at the top of the division.
Can the Guardians be the first team since the 2016-2018 to win the AL Central three consecutive seasons?
Looking at Cleveland’s roster, they likely have the pitching staff to do so with Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibee leading the rotation, and Cade Smith as the team’s closer. However, the lineup, which logged a .669 OPS in 2025, still needs work.
Sep 14, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan (38) runs off the field with center fielder Nolan Jones (22) after catching a ball against the wall hit by Chicago White Sox left fielder Will Robertson (not pictured) during the second inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesWill Steven Kwan Be Traded?
Steven Kwan was the subject of many trade rumors leading up to the 2025 deadline. Even though the Guardians opted not to move the All-Star left fielder during the season, he’s still been labeled a potential trade candidate before Opening Day in 2026.
With the Guardians needing more offense, and Kwan owning a career OPS+ of 109, it wouldn’t make sense for Cleveland to trade him this winter. The 28-year-old is still under team control through the 2027 season, too.
That said, if the Guardians begin to slide out of a playoff spot before the end of July in 2026, the possibility of a Kwan trade will only increase.
No matter what happens, the Kwan trade rumors aren’t going to go away until he is moved or signs an extension with the Guardians, making this one of the top storylines to follow throughout the year.
Travis Bazzana’s Impending MLB Debut
The No. 1 pick of the 2024 MLB Draft slightly went under the radar in 2025 due to a slow start and an oblique injury, which caused him to miss the summer months of the minor league season.
However, Travis Bazzana had an extremely strong finish to the year and registered a .858 OPS after being promoted to Triple-A on September 14.
Bazzana’s MLB debut feels inevitable at some point during the 2026 season; the only unknown is when. If Bazzana starts next year the same way he finished last season, that promotion could come pretty soon, so it’ll be worth it to keep an eye on the 23-year-old.