CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians might be taking a critical risk that could sabotage their 2026 season before it begins.

Despite winning the AL Central with one of baseball’s worst offensive attacks last season, the Guardians appear to be leaning toward a strategy that longtime cleveland.com reporter Paul Hoynes bluntly calls “fool’s gold” – relying on internal development rather than adding proven offensive talent.

“It seems like they are leaning toward sticking with their prospects. The players they’ve drafted, signed and developed, hoping that this young, core of offensive players can take a step forward this year,” Hoynes explained on the latest Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast. “They don’t want to bring in middle of the road free agents to block their paths.”

But the numbers tell a d

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