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Hey, Hoynsie: Did the Guardians sign any washed-up, surgically-repaired relievers today? How do you stand by and watch this abomination without saying anything? — Jay Shulman.
Hey, Jay: Did you feel the same way when the Guardians signed Jakob Junis last February? Were you this upset when they traded for Matt Festa?
The Guardians usually do a good job when it comes to signing under-the-radar relievers. In the last couple of weeks, they’ve signed Connor Brogdon, Peyton Pallette and Colin Holderman and added them to the 40-man roster. Based on the Guardians’ track record, I’ll ride with them when it comes to undervalued relievers.
Holderman dealt with right knee and right thumb injuries last year. Brogdon struggled with the Angels, while Pallette was a Rule 5 pick on Wednesday by the Guardians.
Hey, Hoynsie: Congratulations to Stephen Vogt on his contract extension. Why were the Guardians so secret about it? The organization should be proud of signing him. — Virgil Houser, Gustavus, Ohio.
Hey, Virgil: I agree. In the past, they normally have announced when a manager’s contract is extended. They certainly do it when a player is extended.
Not sure why they didn’t do it with Vogt. It’s a feel-good story for the franchise and the manager.
Maybe it had something to do with agreeing to the extension before the start of the 2025 season when he still had two years left on his original contract. Ownership has never announced when one of their front office employees has had their contract extended.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt signed a multi-year contract extension before the start of the 2025 season.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Hey, Hoynsie: I thought we would miss Terry Francona, a great manager in his own right, but Stephen Vogt hasn’t missed a beat. The dude has a good touch with pitchers and catchers. I’m glad the front office locked him up. — Ed Miller, Lakeland, Florida.
Hey, Ed: Give the Guardians credit for hiring Francona and Vogt. Francona was a proven manager, a two-time World Series winner with Boston. Vogt was on the other end of the spectrum, someone who had never managed before. So far the two hires couldn’t have gone better.
Hey, Hoynsie: How is right-hander Andrew Walters progressing in his rehab? I loved his stuff in 2024. — Bruce Tate, Shreve.
Hey, Bruce: Walters is still recovering from a serious tear in his right lat muscle. He will not be ready for spring training.
Walters suffered the injury on May 30 and underwent surgery on June 9. He pitched well for the Guardians down the stretch in 2024 and in the postseason.
Hey, Hoynsie: With the Orioles signing first baseman Pete Alonso, could the Guardians be interested in trading for Ryan Mountcastle, another Baltimore first baseman? — Andy Mees, Sandusky.
Hey, Andy: It’s a possibility, especially with Mountcastle being a right-handed hitter. Still, when the Guardians have talked about first base this winter, it’s clear they really want Kyle Manzardo to play there every day in 2026.
Is catcher Bo Naylor ready for a breakout season in 2026?John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Hey, Hoynsie: Who among the Guardians are the best candidates for a breakout season in 2026? My three picks are Bo Naylor, Bryan Rocchio and Chase DeLauter. — Ed Brandyberry, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania.
Hey, Ed: I like your picks, especially Naylor who hit .290 (18 for 62) with a .872 OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) in September. I’m going with Angel Martinez, C.J. Kayfus and Nolan Jones. Martinez hit well against lefties, Kayfus hit .286 (14 for 49) with an .885 OPS in September and Jones can’t go anywhere but up.
Hey, Hoynsie: Please tell me that the bullpen the Guardians have currently will get a couple of significant additions before Spring Training starts? — Tony Mollica, The Plains.
Hey, Tony: I wouldn’t be surprised if they added another arm or two, but unless they make a trade or free agent signing, the additions would probably be spring-training invites on minor league deals because the 40-man roster is full. They have their closer in Cade Smith and main setup man in Hunter Gaddis. They’re going to have to see what they have in newcomers Peyton Palette, Colin Holderman and Connor Brogdon.
Hey, Hoynsie: With the 40-man roster full after adding three relievers, does this potentially mean there is no room to add a bat to the lineup? The Guardians really need some power. — Megan, Powell.
Hey, Megan: You’re preaching to the choir. They can still add a hitter via trade or free- agent signing while clearing a spot on the 40-man. But I think they’re committed to giving their position-playing prospects a real chance without being blocked by a hitter from outside the organization.
Is free-agent outfielder Harrison Bader a fit for the Guardians?AP
Hey, Hoynsie: I can’t stop thinking that Harrison Bader would be a great fit for the outfield. Is he in the Guardians’ price range? — Julie Kochert.
Hey, Julie: Yes, Bader, 31, has been linked to the Guardians.
Last season, he hit .277 with 17 homers and 54 RBI with the Twins and Phillies. At the end of the 2025 season, he turned down a $10 million option to become a free agent. He’s probably looking for a two to three-year deal worth $25 million to $30 million.
It’s hard to see the Guardians doing that.