Guardians Look Ahead After Pitching Scandal Amid AL Central Success

The Cleveland Guardians made one of baseball’s most remarkable second-half comebacks in 2025, climbing from fourth place in July to claim the AL Central title by late September. Yet their triumph has been overshadowed by the gambling scandal involving pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, who were recently arraigned on multiple charges.

Cleveland president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti praised the team’s resilience following the suspensions. “We arguably played our best baseball after they left,” Antonetti told The Athletic’s Zack Meisel on Wednesday. “It’s one of the things I’m most proud of our team for.”

The Guardians’ performance post-Clase and Ortiz highlighted the depth and determination of the roster. Ortiz was arraigned in Brooklyn this past Wednesday, and Clase was expected to appear in court on Thursday. With both players gone, Cleveland now faces the challenge of replacing key contributors while maintaining momentum.

Looking ahead to 2026, the Guardians hope to channel the adversity from this scandal into motivation for another strong season, aiming to combine resilience with strategic additions in free agency and trades.

1. Impact of Losing Clase and Ortiz

Clase’s absence represented a significant blow to Cleveland’s bullpen, as the closer had been among the most dominant at his position in MLB. Ortiz had been a steady contributor in the starting rotation, providing consistency and innings during a season that required depth and stability. While the team’s march to the AL Central showed that the Guardians could succeed without them, Antonetti and the front office must now evaluate how to rebuild those pitching roles. Both short-term replacements and long-term solutions will be necessary to ensure the roster remains competitive. The loss of Clase in particular left a gap that would typically demand a high-caliber acquisition, either through trade or free agency. Cleveland must balance the desire for immediate impact with fiscal prudence and team chemistry considerations. The Guardians’ ability to adapt after the departures demonstrates organizational depth, but replacing two pitchers of Clase and Ortiz’s caliber will be a top priority in offseason planning

2. Opportunities in Free Agency and Trades

The upcoming offseason presents the Guardians with multiple avenues to reinforce their pitching staff. Veteran relievers with closing experience, such as Raisel Iglesias, Robert Suarez, and Kenley Jansen, are expected to be available, offering potential immediate upgrades for the bullpen. On the starting pitching side, free-agent options and trade possibilities abound. The front office will have the opportunity to target innings-eating starters or emerging talent to complement the rotation. These moves could help Cleveland remain in contention in the AL Central and improve on their playoff performance. Antonetti and the leadership team will need to weigh experience, contract costs, and long-term roster flexibility in all decisions. Strategic acquisitions could position the Guardians for another deep playoff run, turning the challenges of 2025 into motivation for sustained success. With their division championship in hand, Cleveland hopes to blend lessons learned from adversity with savvy roster building to remain a contender in 2026.

3. Looking Ahead

The Guardians have shown resilience in the face of controversy, using the loss of Clase and Ortiz to fuel a strong second-half performance. The front office now faces critical decisions on how to maintain momentum while addressing the gaps left by the suspended pitchers. Cleveland’s success in 2025 proves the team’s depth and adaptability, and the organization aims to continue building a competitive roster through free agency, trades, and player development. The challenges ahead will test the Guardians’ ability to combine internal growth with external acquisitions, creating a team capable of both regular-season dominance and postseason success. If the front office executes wisely, the Guardians could leverage last year’s adversity into a foundation for another championship-contending team.