If the Guardians want to upgrade their offense on the cheap in free agency, they have a few options to pursue.
Recently, we have written about some free agents in the top 50 free agents or on the fringes and on the potential of the Guardians acquiring Ketel Marte. Very fairly, Guardians’ fans inevitably assure us that the Guardians will not be signing anyone of significance. Until Cleveland does just that, fans should continue to doubt they will if only out of self-preservation of their mental well-beings
and tenuous grasps on reality in an ever-changing world. So, with the more pie-in-the-sky options out of the way, who are some reasonably available hitters the Guardians could pursue in free agency should they try that route to improving a bottom-three offense in MLB from 2025?
First, let me acknowledge that Zack Meisel of the Athletic recently seemed to indicate that the Guardians will likely pursue an outfielder and some bullpen arms this offseason. This may indicate they are content with the mix of Kyle Manzardo, C.J. Kayfus, David Fry and potentially Juan Brito at first base/DH for 2026. To be honest, I don’t have a huge objection to that plan. With that said, there are some inexpensive options likely available to play first base, so I am going to identify and analyze those, just in case the team is swayed that adding there will be a cost-efficient way to help their hitting.
–Miguel Andujar, RHH, 31 year-old 3B/OF/-DH/1B – 125 wRC+ for Oakland and Cincinnati in 2025, 14.4/5 K/BB%. Andujar was merely not good in left-field and even stood competently in right field for 22 innings in 2025, while being mostly bad at third base (which might mean he could be average at first base?). For his career, Andujar has a 121 wRC+ against LHP and a 101 wRC+ against RHP. If you can get Andujar on a one-year deal, you could probably find way worse options for a swing-man between right field, left field and first base against LHP.
–Yoan Moncada, RHH, 30 year-old 3B/1B – 117 wRC+ for the Angels in 2025, 26/11 K/BB%. Moncada is horrific as a third baseman. This may mean he is a DH. BUT, if there’s a possibility he could be ok at first base, there could be a fit here. The main problem may be that Moncada has reverse splits – 112 wRC+ vs. RHP for his career and 94 wRC+ against LHP. I would be pretty disappointed with this signing if it happened.
–Rhys Hoskins, RHH 33 year-old 1B/DH – Hoskins has a career 121 wRC+, 25/13 K/BB%, with a 137 wRC+ against LHP. He is a bad first baseman, and would probably be only marginally better than Kyle Manzardo there. But, hey, if you want someone who has a shot to put up a very good season mashing lefties in the middle of your order on a one-year deal, there probably aren’t too many cheaper and better options than Hoskins.
–Lane Thomas, RHH, 30 year-old OF – I believe you are familiar with Thomas. The reason he is probably one of the better cheap options available is that he reportedly wants to return to Cleveland and there is the chance that if his foot is fixed by surgery, he could be one of the better free agent outfield bats against LHP based on his career 135 wRC+ vs. southpaws. But, Thomas only has an 84 wRC+ for his career RHP and should essentially be strictly platooned. I am unsure if the Guardians would do that, and I am also, of course unsure if Thomas will be returning to his good form given the tricky nature of plantar fascitis.
–Austin Hays, RHH, 30 year-old OF – I wrote about Hays here. I think he’s probably the best bet among these cheap, right-handed hitting outfielders available.
–Austin Slater, RHH, 33 year-old OF – Slater has had a couple BAD years at the plate, so you’d be betting on a return to form against LHP whom he has hit at a 119 wRC+ rate for his career. Slater is passable anywhere in the outfield defensively. I’d prefer him on a minor-league deal only, if they go this direction.
–Chas McCormick, RHH, 30 year-old OF – See above. McCormick has had a terrible couple years but for his career he still has a 137 wRC+ against LHP and is playable defensively anywhere in the outfield. If there is a chance that a change of scenery and an offseason of physical rest and re-set can help him regain that form, McCormick is probably about as good a cheap one-year option as you’ll find. Personally, I don’t trust Astros cast-offs, so I’d steer clear unless it is a minor-league deal.
–Randal Grichuk, RHH, 34 year-old OF – Grichuk far underachieved his expected numbers in 2025 and doesn’t look like he’s hit an age cliff yet. For his career, he has a 118 wRC+ and is playable in the corner outfield spots (probably not in center, though). He offers solid veteran floor as a short-side platoon option.
We ALL hope for more than any of these names can offer from the Guardians’ offseason moves. I suspect if they do find better options, it will be in trades, and I retain some optimism they can pull off fixing their offense as they fixed their pitching staff in last offseason. But, if they are reduced to bargain shopping, the names above will definitely be people to be aware of as Guardians fans.
