GuardiansPublished: Jan. 16, 2026, 7:51 a.m.
Manager Stephen Vogt believes the Guardians says he has enough offense to make a run at the postseason in 2026. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Guardians manager Stephen Vogt is in Cleveland for a few days before spring training begins in early February in Goodyear, Arizona.
In a Zoom call with reporters on Thursday, he touched on several subjects regarding the Guardians before they go to camp. Here are some quick hitters from that conversation.
The Guardians won the AL Central last season despite having one of the worst offenses in the big leagues. Vogt was asked about the front office’s stance to rely on their internal players to improve that offense instead of making trades or signing free agents. “We feel good about the group of position players that we have. So, to ask, do we have enough (offense)? I think we believe we do and we believe that these guys are going to be the ones that help us drive toward the playoffs and toward the World Series like we’re shooting for . . . We’ve got some time left, but on January 15th, I feel really good about where we are.” 
Guardians’ Steven Kwan.John Kuntz, cleveland.comWhen Vogt was asked if he expects All-Star Steven Kwan, the subject of offseason trade rumors, to be his opening-day left fielder, he said, “He’s here now. We went through this at the trade deadline last year. As a player, when your name’s being speculated in trade rumors, it can be hard and you never know how it’s going to end up. But Steven got a really good dose of that experience this last trade deadline … So, we continue to love Steven Kwan and really hope he’s in left field leading off for us.” Utility man David Fry will concentrate on catching through most of spring training. Near the end of the Cactus League season, he’ll start playing other positions. Last year, Fry was limited to DH and pinch-hitting because he was recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Fry’s return to health should allow Vogt more opportunity to take advantage of his right-handed bat.Travis Bazzana and Bo Naylor are expected to play in the World Baseball Classic in March. Bazzana will play for Australia and Naylor for Canada. Cade Smith and Erik Sabrowski may also play for Team Canada, but Vogt said the Guardians haven’t seen the WBC’s full rosters. Asked to gauge his worry about letting Guardians players participate in the WBC with other countries, Vogt said, “This is my first time being a manager during the WBC. So probably a better question to answer afterward. There are horror stories and there are success stories. That’s where I feel great about our pitchers who are considering it are working closely with our pitching staff and our medical staff to make sure that we have them built up appropriately to be ready to compete that early in the season.”Right-hander Carlos Hernandez, according to Vogt, is “recovering well” after being injured in a car accident in Venezuela. Hernandez, scheduled to come to big league camp on a minor league deal, reportedly suffered a broken left arm and broken right fibula. “It’s going to take some time for us to do an official update on him,” said Vogt.
Guardians outfielder Chase DeLauter.John Kuntz, cleveland.comProspect Chase DeLauter, according to Vogt, will see most of his playing time in center and right field in spring training. Vogt said his playing time during the Cactus League season will be monitored to try and keep him healthy.The Guardians have added relievers Shawn Armstrong, Connor Brogdon, Colin Holderman and Rule 5 pick Peyton Pallette to the 40-man roster this winter. They’ve also added Pedro Avila and Codi Heuer on minor-league deals. Vogt was asked how long it will take to find roles for all the new arms. “Cade Smith is probably going to get a majority of the ninth inning. After that, it’s matching up. From where I’m sitting, this is the deepest bullpen we’ve had in the last three years … It’s a matter of us just coming together at spring training, seeing what these guys have and then roll into the season.”The Guardians had some turnover in Vogt’s coaching staff right after they were eliminated in the wild card round by Detroit. Kai Correa left to be the Mets bench coach and Craig Albernaz was named Baltimore’s manager. But with spring training approaching, the big-league staff is set.
Guardians’ right-hander Tanner Bibee.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.comThe Guardians were able to catch and pass the Tigers in September to win the AL Central because they went with a six-man rotation. They will open the 2026 season with a five-man rotation which should make for a competitive spring training. “We’re going to have some good competition in the rotation,” said Vogt. “The six pitchers that ended the year all showed really well down the stretch … and we have some other guys right behind them that are going to be competing for spots during spring training. It’s going to be a very competitive part of camp.”
Paul Hoynes, born in Cleveland, has been the beat writer for the Indians/Guardians since 1983. He attended Cathedral Latin High School in Cleveland and received a journalism degree from Marquette University. He… more