Could the young hitters of the Guardians truly shine in the 2026 season? Let’s dive into it, shall we?
CLEVELAND, Ohio — If you have a question about the Guardians that you want answered in the segment "Hey, Hoynsie," there are multiple ways to reach out! You can subscribe to Subtext for more updates, text Hoynsie directly at 216-208-4346 for a two-week free trial, or simply send an email to phoynes@cleveland.com.
Hey, Hoynsie: There’s been a lot of buzz surrounding the Guardians and their roster filled with young, inexperienced position players. However, it seems that the majority of our anticipated lineup possesses at least one full season of play under their belts. Given this experience — including some playoff action — is it too optimistic to hope for noticeable improvement from them as a collective this year? — Bob Maistros, Lake Worth, Florida.
Hey, Bob: Austin Hedges has echoed a similar sentiment recently. My concern lies in the fact that not every young player may see simultaneous growth. This reality is why I believe it would be beneficial for the front office to consider bringing in a seasoned hitter who can contribute consistently.
- José Ramírez has achieved recognition by climbing to No. 5 on MLB Network’s list of top players for 2026.
- While the Mets are aggressively pursuing talent, the Guardians seem to be taking a more cautious approach this offseason.
- Stephen Vogt’s leadership has earned him admiration and respect within the sports community.
Hey, Hoynsie: Are there any Guardians players who might miss the beginning of spring training due to injuries? — Ted Belak, Westlake Village, California.
Hey, Ted: Unfortunately, right-hander Andrew Walters is expected to miss spring training as he continues his recovery from surgery on his right lat muscle. Additionally, right-hander Carlos Hernandez is unlikely to be ready for camp after recently being involved in a car accident in Venezuela. Hernandez had planned to join the team under a minor league contract.
Hey, Hoynsie: With Austin Hedges mentioning hitters coming to Cleveland in the offseason to familiarize themselves with the new ball/strike challenge system, could this lead to enhanced batting skills? One potential outcome might be that players swing less often at pitches outside the strike zone. Furthermore, could this mean that the classic 10-12 pitch at-bat could become a rarity? As hitters gain a better understanding of the strike zone, they may be less inclined to swing at borderline pitches, especially those just off the plate. If we observe a decline in lengthy at-bats, it stands to reason that starting pitchers would likely be able to pitch deeper into games, even with pitch count considerations. — Tim Johnson, Rockville, Indiana.
Hey, Tim: This is definitely beginning to sound like a mathematical equation! It's important to remember that teams currently have only two challenges per game. From my conversations with Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, it appears only a select group of hitters will be empowered to utilize these challenges effectively.
Hey, Hoynsie: After listening to your Cleveland Baseball Talk podcast discussing the Hall of Fame, I was taken aback when comparing Doug Jones’ stats to those of Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter. The disparity is similarly striking when looking at Kenny Lofton versus Ichiro Suzuki.
Doug Jones is often overlooked, and it feels unjust that Kenny Lofton fell off the Hall of Fame ballot after just one year. — Brad F., Barberton.
Hey, Brad: I share your views regarding both Jones and Lofton being undervalued. Jones successfully saved 303 games and didn’t pitch his first full season with Cleveland until the age of 30. I sincerely hope the Era Committee gives Lofton the consideration he deserves during his next eligibility period.
Hey, Hoynsie: Considering recent selections like Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones, do you feel the standards for Hall of Fame induction set by the Baseball Writers Association of America have been lowered? Or am I simply an old-school fan lamenting a time when legendary players like Hank Aaron were omitted from ballots? — Phil Trexler, Bath Township.
Hey, Phil: I find both Jones and Beltran deserving of their honors, but I certainly understand your perspective. The number of clear-cut Hall of Famers seems to be dwindling. And you’re absolutely correct — it’s hard to fathom anyone not voting for Hammerin’ Hank, who was a first-ballot inductee back in 1982! That was a legendary Hall of Fame class featuring both Aaron and Frank Robinson as first-ballot selections.
Hey, Hoynsie: Why does Cleveland’s front office foster intense competition among bullpen members while simultaneously being cautious about blocking opportunities for young position players? Could this be a reason behind the significant performance discrepancies between the two groups? — Steve Cornelius.
Hey, Steve: Competition is inherent in every position, but I don’t believe the Guardians added so many relievers this offseason merely to challenge the existing players, especially since those incumbents formed a solid bullpen in 2024 and 2025. The intention behind adding new arms was likely to strengthen the overall bullpen.
Closer Emmanuel Clase is currently facing penalties from Major League Baseball and federal prosecutors. Jakob Junis, Kolby Allard, Zak Kent, and Nic Enright are no longer part of the roster, highlighting the need to fill gaps in the bullpen.
Hey, Hoynsie: Is there a spectrum of cheating? Is Carlos Beltran’s use of advanced technology to steal signs while with the Houston Astros fundamentally different from Manny Ramirez testing positive for steroids?
As a teacher, I’m interested in your take since I face similar moral decisions every day. — Zan, Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina.
Hey, Zan: I believe there is indeed a significant distinction here. For as long as baseball has existed, stealing signs from the opposing team has been a common tactic. However, using performance-enhancing drugs to gain an unfair advantage by increasing one’s strength, speed, and recovery time isn’t comparable.
Hey, Hoynsie: Does the Guardians organization provide travel arrangements for fans to attend spring training in Arizona? I’ve always organized my own trips in the past. — Duncan, Waterdown, Ontario.
Hey, Duncan: Unfortunately, you’ll still need to handle your own arrangements. The Guardians do not coordinate travel for fans heading to spring training.
Hey, Hoynsie: Did the signing of reliever Connor Brogdon push the Guardians past the luxury tax threshold? — Tim Cenna, Highland Heights.
Hey, Tim: As I’ve mentioned previously, there is only room for one wise guy around here, and that’s me!
