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What's next for the Guardians? Biggest offseason questions about Jose Ramírez, Steven Kwan, more

The Cleveland Guardians’ offseason takes on heightened urgency after their second straight AL Central title failed to deliver a World Series berth, ending instead with a Game 6 ALCS loss to Tampa Bay. Central to the team’s rebuilding questions is third baseman José Ramírez, whose production plummeted from MVP-caliber form in 2025 to a career-low .235/.320/.368 line in 2026.

A fractured hamate bone in his left hand—sustained in June—disrupted his swing, with exit velocity dropping from 90.3 mph to 86.5 mph and slugging percentage falling from .444 to .321 after surgery. The injury coincided with a steep decline: Ramírez hit just .229/.296/.302 in 53 games post-rehab, far below his peak, while the team’s offensive foundation now hinges on his return to form.

Financially, the stakes are equally high—his seven-year, $175 million extension (including a $25 million annual salary through 2032) represents a third of the Guardians’ payroll, leaving little room for error if age-related decline accelerates at age 34.

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