💥 BREAKING NEWS: Stephen Vogt is urging Guardians pitchers to steer clear of a controversial new system he believes could quietly derail their development ⚡.NL

Guardians Preparing for ABS Challenge System, Bullpen Upgrades, and a New Era Under Stephen Vogt

As the Guardians gear up for spring training in Goodyear, Arizona this February, one of the biggest talking points won’t be a new free agent or a lineup shuffle-it’ll be the arrival of the ABS (Automated Ball-Strike) challenge system, set to debut in 2026. And for manager Stephen Vogt, that means setting the tone early.

The ABS challenge system allows pitchers, catchers, or hitters to challenge ball-strike calls, with each team getting two challenges per game. But if you’re expecting Guardians pitchers to be quick on the trigger, think again.

“We haven’t talked about it in depth, but I imagine we would not have our pitchers challenge pitches,” Vogt said. “Focus on making pitches and let our catcher make the decision.”

That’s not just a managerial philosophy-it’s a nod to the Guardians’ strength behind the plate. Cleveland’s catchers have built a reputation for elite pitch framing, and Vogt knows that’s not something to mess with.

When a pitcher is locked in and finishing his delivery with his head down, it’s tough to make a clear call on a borderline pitch. Letting the catcher handle it keeps the pitcher focused and leverages the skill set of a group that’s already shown they can steal strikes in real time.

Chris Antonetti, the Guardians’ president of baseball operations, echoed that sentiment, pointing out that pitchers, in the heat of competition, aren’t always the most objective judges of the strike zone.

That’s where hitters come in-especially ones with an elite understanding of the zone like Steven Kwan. Through four big league seasons, Kwan has quietly put together one of the most disciplined offensive profiles in the game: a .281 average, 240 walks, just 246 strikeouts, and a .351 OBP. With the ABS system in play, hitters like Kwan could see a real uptick in value.

“For hitters who know the strike zone really well, it’s going to change the complexion of their at-bats nightly,” Vogt said. “For hitters who maybe don’t know the zone as well, we’re going to have to do a lot of training.”

That training is already underway. The Guardians are working on different ways to help their hitters sharpen their zone awareness, knowing that the ability to challenge could be a game-changer in critical moments. Vogt sees it as a tool that could help clean up swing decisions across the board.

And for someone like Kwan? “I’d have to think Kwan is going to benefit from it a lot,” Vogt added.

It remains to be seen how the Guardians will manage challenges in-game-whether they’ll give the green light to every hitter or reserve it for those with a proven track record of zone command. But one thing’s clear: the ABS system is going to reshape how at-bats are approached, and Cleveland is already preparing for that shift.

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Guardians Scouring the Market for Relief Help

While the challenge system is a long-term adjustment, the Guardians have more immediate concerns-namely, fortifying the bullpen. There’s no shortage of options out there, from free agents to trade targets to Rule 5 possibilities. With two open spots on the 40-man roster, Cleveland has room to maneuver.

Asked what kind of relievers the team is targeting, Antonetti kept it simple: “Someone who can get outs.”

Right now, Cade Smith is penciled in as the closer, with Hunter Gaddis in the setup role. The bullpen also features Matt Festa, Tim Herrin, Erik Sabrowski, and newly signed Connor Brogdon. But depth is key, and the Guardians know they need more arms they can trust in high-leverage spots.

Andrew Walters, who made an impression during the 2024 postseason, is still recovering from a lat injury and won’t be ready for spring training. Trevor Stephan is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and hasn’t quite found his velocity yet. Daniel Espino, one of the organization’s most talented arms, is being brought along slowly after barely pitching over the last four years.

“We have spent a lot of time the last few weeks on working through different pathways to acquire relievers,” Antonetti said. “You want to examine all the options and alternatives. It’s a long list of guys so it takes a lot of time.”

Whether it’s through the Rule 5 Draft, a low-cost free agent, or a trade, expect the Guardians to be active in reshaping the bullpen heading into camp.

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Vogt’s Unique Path to the Dugout Paying Off

Stephen Vogt is heading into his third season as Guardians manager-and what a start it’s been. Two years, two AL Manager of the Year awards, and a clubhouse that’s fully bought into his leadership style.

What makes Vogt’s rise even more impressive is that he had never managed before taking the job. After wrapping up his playing career with the A’s in 2022, he served as Seattle’s bullpen coach in 2023 before landing the Cleveland gig. But according to Vogt, his unconventional path may have been the perfect preparation.

“I think players right around my age, we played through a very unique time,” he said. “We came up through the minors with absolutely zero information. Then during our big-league career, we had every piece of information thrown at us, and we were expected to go use that on the field.”

That blend of old-school instincts and new-school analytics has shaped Vogt’s approach. He understands the value of data, but he also knows the game isn’t played on spreadsheets.

“I think we were raised in an old-school world, but then we played through the transition (to analytics). Now I feel like we have a very good understanding of how to apply information while not losing sight of maybe the gut feel.”

That balance-between data and feel, between preparation and instinct-has helped Vogt connect with players, manage in-game situations, and guide the Guardians through a period of transition and growth.

As the Guardians look ahead to 2026, with the ABS system coming, the bullpen in flux, and a young core still developing, Vogt’s steady hand and modern mindset could be exactly what this team needs.