MLB's Cleveland Guardians Prediction Makes No Sense

Led by manager Stephen Vogt, who has won AL Manager of the Year in each of his first two seasons at the helm, Cleveland finds a way to win games despite often being at a talent disadvantage on paper. As the 2026 season nears, MLB made its prediction for how Vogt will craft his starting lineup and pitching rotation.

With Ramirez slotted in his usual No. 3 spot in the order, his is expected to again be protected by Kyle Manzardo in the cleanup spot. Steven Kwan will retain his every day spot in left field and atop the order, while Bo Naylor enters his third season as Cleveland's starting catcher.

But after these near-locks, MLB's prediction gets quite wonky, with a few spots looking particularly off.

The biggest issue with MLB's prediction is the starting pitching rotation. Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibee are the undeniable top two, but Logan Allen slotted at No. 3 makes no sense. While he was an effective member of Cleveland's six-man rotation in September last season, posting a 3.22 ERA in four starts, he was very much sixth behind Williams, Bibee, Slade Cecconi, Joey Cantillo and rookie Parker Messick.

Allen did not make Cleveland's Wild Card series roster, as Williams, Bibee and Cecconi were the three starters in that round. Cantillo appeared out of the bullpen as Cleveland's left-handed long relief option. It is more likely Allen loses his rotation spot to Messick this spring than it is him being slotted at No. 3.

Where Is George Valera?

Moving to the lineup, MLB does not predict George Valera being an Opening Day starter for Cleveland, instead giving an outfield nod to Nolan Jones. Valera posted a 107 OPS+ in 16 games after his September call-up, often hitting second between Kwan and Ramirez. He started two of Cleveland's three playoff games, hitting second and playing right field.

While Jones avoided arbitration this offseason, agreeing to a one-year, $2 million deal with Cleveland, he has a .618 OPS over his last 700 plate appearances. His 2023 campaign in Colorado is now undeniably the outlier, and the Guardians giving him an every day role in hopes of that returning would take precious at-bats away from Valera (as well as Chase DeLauer, who also must be discussed).

Will the Guardians Start Chase DeLauter in Triple-A?

While this may be somewhat unfair to MLB, their prediction for Chase DeLauter is likely wrong, but only because of how the Guardians operate. DeLauter made his MLB debut in the playoffs last season, and put together impressive at-bats. He owns an .888 OPS across 583 Minor League plate appearances, and only injuries have stopped him from being a mainstay in Cleveland.

But those same injuries, along with potential service time incentive, is why Cleveland may be likelier to maintain a careful approach with its 2022 first round pick. Make no mistake, DeLauter deserves to open 2026 as a big leaguer. But the Guardians have shown how they operate. Fans were pleading for Naylor, Manzardo, Kayfus and others to get call-ups long before they eventually debuted — and while inferior players logged at-bats at their respective positions.

Guardians Must Finally Make Brayan Rocchio, Gabriel Arias Decision

The last issue with MLB's Guardians prediction is the middle infield. It is finally time for Cleveland to make a decision between Brayan Rocchio and Gabriel Arias. It is only a matter of time before 2024 No. 1 overall pick Travis Bazzana is MLB-ready, and the Guardians have still yet to see what switch-hitting second baseman Juan Brito may or may not be. Giving another few hundred plate appearances to Arias, who despite his tantalizing tools owns a career .630 OPS, would be a waste.

Rocchio, while flawed, has shown a unique ability to meet the moment. Making him the every day shortstop, keeping Arias as a utility right-handed bench bat and opening second base for one of Brito or Bazzana is the way to start 2026.