Cleveland Guardians are facing an inflection point of the offseason with no new bats and minimal roster moves. Will their 2026 hopes hinge on prospects Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana and does that mean they NEED to be on the Opening Day Roster? The front office’s commitment to youth leaves us to wonder if deliberate service time manipulation is right for Bazzana while DeLauter’s injury history complicates his role on the Opening Day roster.

Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis analyze the stagnant free agent market, weigh the value of trade aggressiveness, and dissect Cleveland’s penchant for secrecy, including the under-the-radar extension of manager Stephen Vogt. Is the Guardians’ strategy smart, or does their reluctance to take risks on the trade front and in player acquisitions jeopardize their path back to World Series contention?

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The Cleveland Guardians cautious free agency strategy and ability to pivot elsewhere holds them back. Colin Holderman, Connor Brogdon, and Peyton Palette are good bullpen depth additions that they needed, yet they still lack high-leverage help and potential outfield upgrades. Should the Guardians pursue Robert Refsnyder or push for bigger trades with names like Brendan Donovan and Ketel Marte on the radar? Is their consistently rational bidding causing them to finish third on every major free agent?

Justin Lada breaks down the team’s blueprint, emphasizing the need for stronger mid-tier signings and timely roster turnover akin to the Tampa Bay Rays’ model. The episode also highlights Cleveland’s strategy for the new ABS challenge system, explaining why catchers like Austin Hedges and Bo Naylor—not pitchers—will lead ball-strike reviews, while hitters such as Steven Kwan and José Ramírez are set to have the green light. Will these tweaks give the Guardians an edge in the AL Central

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Cleveland Guardians gamble on former White Sox top prospect Peyton Pallette in the Rule 5 Draft. Will he stick in their bullpen in 2026 and what is his potential impact? The free agent market is heating up while Cleveland waits to jump in. Is waiting too long to add a bat or make a big trade a risky strategy? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down Pallette’s potential impact, discuss why the White Sox left him unprotected, and explore the Guardians’ Rule 5 strategy. We also debate where Pallette lands in the Guardians prospect rankings. The show tackles outfield trade rumors, free agent fits like Rob Refsnyder and Austin Hays, and speculate on the next moves as more names exit the board. Will the Guardians strike before it’s too late?

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Cleveland Guardians set their sights on major bullpen upgrades as free agent relievers fly off the board. Chris Antonetti finally mentioned a clear need for help. Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down the Guardians hunt for high-stuff, high-extension arms. Can Cleveland land a key piece before options run dry?

Antonetti also spoke some about position player plans, emphasizing runway for Steven Kwan, Chase DeLauter, and the next wave while refusing to block prospects without proven upside. The episode spotlights top Rule 5 Draft targets—Peyton Pallette, RJ Pettit, Jose Rodriguez—and weighs the risks of losing Dylan DeLucia or Ryan Webb. With four top-100 picks and a double-digit bonus pool, we discuss 2026 MLB Draft targets for the Guardians.

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Locked On Guardians' Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down what the Cleveland Guardians did and didn't say from from Day One of MLB’s Winter Meetings, focusing on the team’s cryptic communication style and what management isn’t saying. We dig into Stephen Vogt’s early comments, Bo Naylor’s shot at a breakout year, and the reality that impact right-handed outfielders are almost as rare as Bigfoot.

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Cleveland Guardians face a pivotal offseason as the MLB Winter Meetings kick off. Will a bold move shape their 2024 season or does a Rule 5 draft gem await? Jeff Ellis dissects the latest rumors swirling around Cleveland, including intriguing targets, the impact of Zach Kent’s release, and the hot relief market highlighted by Jose Ferrer’s three years of team control.

The episode explores alternative history—what if José Ramírez was traded to the Padres for a blockbuster package of C.J. Abrams, MacKenzie Gore, and James Wood or Jackson Merrill? Jeff Ellis breaks down payroll constraints, Atlanta Braves financial data, and the painful realities of small-market survival. Guardians fans get expert insight on possible lineup scenarios, money matters, and what roster moves could be next. Will the Guardians spend big, or are they banking on clever transactions to keep the team competitive?

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Cleveland Guardians' front office faces mounting pressure to upgrade the lineup. Will a significant move finally materialize, or is 2026 shaping up to be déjà vu for frustrated fans? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis tackle the hot topics from the Guardians’ outlook at the winter meetings to the persistent outfield woes and second base uncertainty. The show gets into Steven Kwan’s contract future, potential trade targets like Lars Nootbaar and Brendan Donovan, and key offseason needs, including a pressing search for external bats and bullpen help.

The episode also answers questions about which prospects poised for redemption, including Daniel Espino, Juan Brito, and Ralphy Velazquez, while questioning whether recent roster decisions are bold enough to spark real change. Are the Guardians running out of time to surround José Ramírez with the support he needs? Listener mailbag questions drive sharp discussions about trade value, roster battles between Daniel Schneemann Angel Martinez, Brayan Rocchio, and Gabriel Arias, and the long-term direction of the team’s roster.

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The Cleveland Guardians made a somewhat eyebrow raising move, signing relief Connor Brogdon to a major league deal. Can Brogdon’s impressive changeup, velocity, and extension transform him into Cleveland’s next breakout arm, or is this just a depth move? Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down why the front office targeted Brogdon, weighing Stuff+ metrics and roster implications, while questioning whether dedicating a 40-man spot is worth the risk for a player who cleared waivers twice last season. We also see that Brendan Donovan is emerging as one of the hottest names on the market. The Guardians facing competition from the Mariners, Dodgers, and rival AL teams. Will Cleveland’s prospects be enough to land Donovan, or will the bidding war push him out of reach? We also dissect possible fits for Steven Kwan, debate the merits of targeting players like Brandon Lowe or Jesús Sánchez on Trade Talk Thursday heating up.

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