The Cleveland Guardians have had a pretty disappointing offseason this winter. After collecting the American League Central title in 2025, the club has not made a major splash in free agency. Cleveland has also failed to complete any significant trades. As a result, ESPN’s David Schoenfield has assigned the Guardians a D+ offseason grade.
At the moment, the Cleveland brass has failed to bring in a single major league-calibre hitter. This is despite the fact that the Guardians scored the fewest runs in the entire A.L. in 2025. Even the Chicago White Sox, the worst team in the league, managed to score more runs than the division winners. On the mound, Shawn Armstrong remains the only new pitcher to be brought in for 2026. The veteran reliever last played for the Texas Rangers a season ago.
With a majority of the big-name free agents already with their new teams, Cleveland likely cannot drastically increase their poor offseason grade ahead of opening day. Nevertheless, they can still make a significant addition to their rotation. Because of the lack of signings, the Guardians are expected to have the same starting pitchers in 2026 as they did in 2025.
Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer is now claiming that Cleveland is the top landing spot for Zack Littell. Outside of Lucas Giolito, the former Cincinnati Red is likely the top remaining free agent starting pitcher. Splitting his time between the Reds and Tampa Bay Rays in 2025, Littell compiled a 3.81 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 3.2 WAR. The veteran pitched particularly well during his time with the Rays, although they play in a hitter-friendly park.
Zack Littell would be a Quality Addition to the Cleveland Guardians Rotation
GettyZack Littell has put up solid statistics over the last two seasons.
While Littell’s statistics from 2025 may not exactly jump off the page, they are solid numbers. In fact, his relatively low WHIP would have led all Cleveland starters last season. Littell’s ERA and WAR would have only been topped by Gavin Williams as well. If signed, the former Red may become the Guardians number two or three pitcher in 2026.
Overall, Cleveland’s starting pitching was not necessarily bad during the 2025 campaign. As Rymer points out, the Guardians rotation finished 10th in the league in ERA last year. However, there are still some question marks regarding the group of pitchers. Cleveland had 55 total quality starts last season, just below the league average. They also managed to pick up 21 cheap wins, or wins in non-quality starts, a relatively high figure.
Littell would seemingly fit in well at Progressive Field as well. He is a fly-ball pitcher, as evidenced by giving up 36 total home runs in 2025, and Cleveland’s home stadium is widely considered one of the best places for such pitchers.
Cleveland has Opted not to Spend Money this Offseason
Guardians fans have been asking for their beloved club to spend some money at some point this winter. Despite falling in the recent playoffs, the team is expected to begin 2026 with a payroll $20 million less than a year ago.
Potentially signing Littell will not exactly make up this entire figure. ESPN previously predicted that the pitcher would grab a two-year, $18 million deal this offseason. The outlet ranked the starter as the 43rd-best free agent in baseball at the time.
Guardians Named Top Landing Spot for Key Free Agent