The Guardians will be looking to upgrade their offense this offseason – what are some potential options available in the trade market?
Below, I want to give as comprehensive as possible a look at some names
who should theoretically be available in trades this coming MLB offseason. Admittedly, we always see some surprising names made available and some who would seem to be available get extended by their current employers, so this will be automatically limited. The Guardians, like any good pitching organization, will always be attentive for potential starting pitcher trades, but, as that isn’t a big area of need for Cleveland, I am not spending time analyzing those options. I have provided a list of relievers who are Cleveland-types at the end of the article for anyone interested. Other than that, the focus here is on hitters, especially right-handed ones, because that is the primary area of roster need here.
Orioles
Ryan Mountcastle, RHH 1B, 28 years old, last year of arbitration in 2026 – Mountcastle had a rough 2025, but his metrics don’t make it appear that he’s quite washed yet. Before an 81 wRC+ last year, he had a 111 wRC+ for his career, including a 131 wRC+ against LHP. He is also a solid first baseman. I wouldn’t mind it if the Guardians gave a Mountcastle trade a try, but only if they pursue other targets in this article first and fail to land one.
Adley Rutschman, SH C, 27 years old, under arbitration through 2027 – Every team in MLB is dreaming of trading for Rutschman and fixing him. I think, despite Baltimore drafting another catcher high in the 2025 MLB draft, they won’t be at all motivated to trade Rutschman. Why trade a player like him at his nadir of value when he was still very good defensively and had a 91 wRC+ which is still good for a catcher? He also had a .335 expected weighted on-base-average, which is something more like a 120 wRC+ if it translates. The Orioles aren’t going to want to accept a discount in a return and the acquiring team still has to wonder if Rutschman IS actually declining if they do decide to pay the cost to acquire him. I just don’t see it. But, hey, if I’m wrong, I’d love to see the Guardians take this swing.
Red Sox
Trevor Story, RHH SS, 32 years old, under contract through 2027 at $24M average annual value – Ok, so hang with me here for a minute. The Guardians were interested in Trevor Story when he was a free agent before he signed with Boston. Story has re-established himself as a league average hitter who destroys lefties (133 wRC+ for his career vs. southpaws). He had a disastrous year as a shortstop defensively, but it could be a career blip ashe has usually been solidly above average there. If Boston will eat some of the deal for a nicer prospect, could the Guardians revisit a potential relationship with an old flame? He’s 32, so the answer is almost definitely “no,” but it’s still an interesting idea to consider.
Yankees – Don’t really see a match here.
Rays
Yandy Diaz, RHH DH, 34 years old, under control for $9M through 2026 with a club option – Yandy is probably a little worse than Kyle Manzardo defensively at first base, but he still put up a 135 wRC+ last season and shows no signs of slowing down at the plate. He also has a 150 wRC+ vs. LHP for his career.
Jays
Davis Schneider, RHH 2B/LF, 26 years old, under arbitration through 2029 – Schneider only has a 107 wRC+ vs. LHP but put up a 127 wRC+ overall last year. He plays an adequate second base and left field and would seem to be an amazing choice to start at second until Travis Bazzana is ready. However, he’s the kind of helpful bench player teams like Toronto want to keep and teams like Cleveland don’t want to give up good prospect value to acquire. He’s definitely someone who can give the Guardians a “A” grade as a utilityman over where they currently have something more like a C should Toronto want to revisit the Cleveland connection this offseason.
White Sox
Luis Robert, RHH CF, 28 years old, under team control for $20M – I believe the White Sox will pick up Robert’s 2026 option and try to trade him based on his second half where he put up a 126 wRC+ and played solid defense in centerfield. For his career, Robert has a 140 wRC+ vs. LHP; that’ll play. Now, Guardians fans have seen Robert take plays off defensively, so there is understandable trepidation there. I’d rely on Stephen Vogt to figure that out, and if there is a trade to be made here, hard to imagine a better fit than 2nd half Luis Robert on the Guardians. He is recovering from a late August hamstring injury, so that’s also a concern to be evaluated.
Tigers – Don’t really see a match here.
Royals – Don’t really see a match here.
Twins – Don’t really see a match here.
Angels
Taylor Ward, RHH OF, 32 years old, one year of arbitration left – Ward put up a 117 wRC+ last year and has a 128 wRC+ against LHP for his career. He’s not a great corner outfielder but he can hold his own. I have wanted the Angels to trade him to the Guardians for five years, so I’m not going to stop now even though the Angels refuse to do anything that would make sense.
Astros
Isaac Paredes, RHH 1B/DH, 26 years old, under arbitration control through 2027 – The Astros are openly talking about moving some hitting for pitching help, so there could be a deal around Paredes, the only rival to Jose Ramirez in pulled fly balls. He put up a 128 wRC+ and he has a career 131 wRC+ against LHP. He should be above average as a defensive first baseman as well.
Jake Meyers, RHH CF, 29 years old, under arbitration control through 2027 – Meyers is still a great centerfielder so he’s going to cost a good bit more than his 107 wRC+ indicates. He also only has a career 85 wRC+ vs. RHP (110 wRC+ vs. lefties). So, he’s mostly a platoon bat and defensive replacement. But, honestly, that might be enough to interest the Guardians. And, given their current options, it probably should be enough to do some pursuing here.
Athletics
Brent Rooker, RHH OF/DH, 31 years old, under contract through 2029 for $12M a year, with a 2030 vesting option – I really don’t think the Athletics are trading Rooker as they try to maintain some sort of fanbase ahead of their move to Vegas. But, Rooker is really at the perfect age to be traded and he has put up a 137 wRC+ over the past three years. He also has a career 140 wRC+ against LHP. I don’t think the Athletics will trade him and I also don’t think the Guardians want to be locked into a contract that long for Rooker, who is really a DH not a right fielder (negative numbers in right field in only 162 innings last year). And, that’s probably wise? I suspect Rooker will be good for at least 2-3 more years, and should hit lefties well… but being a DH-only is a tough sell. I list Rooker here because he is a legitimate middle-of-the-order hitter who crushes lefties who you’d think would be available at the right price. There are few of those out there.
Mariners
I don’t see a match here but I do want to mention that free-agent-to-be Jorge Polanco hasn’t been asked to play first base much. If he was decent at first base, that might be an interesting one-year flyer.
Rangers
Sam Haggerty, SH IF/OF, 31 years old, last year of arbitration in 2026 – Haggerty has a career 131 wRC+ against lefties and is viable at second base and anywhere in the outfield defensively. He should essentially never hit against RHP, but this is a proven utility guy who can crush lefties. You’d have to make sure his ankle situation which shortened his 2025 is good, but he would not be costly to acquire as an upgrade at the “lefty masher bench bat” spot.
Several folks have mentioned right-handed hitting outfielder Adolis Garcia who is in his last year of arbitration with Texas. Garcia has an 89 wRC+ over the past two years and is very poor defensively. I would steer clear of him were I the Guardians.
Braves
Matt Olson, LHH 1B, 31 years old, under contract through 2029 at $21M a year – I don’t really think the Braves will trade Olson, but it is in the realm of possibility and we know the Guardians pursued Olson when he was with Oakland. Olson is a perennial Gold Glove candidate at first base, he put up a 136 wRC+ last season and has a 133 wRC+ for his career. He has a 118 wRC+ against LHP and a 140 wRC+ against RHP for his career. Olson is a borderline future hall of famer and he seems as likely as anyone to continue to provide middle of the order production into his mid-30’s as anyone. Do I expect the Braves and Guardians to pull this off? No, for a variety of obvious reasons (money committed to a first baseman, the Braves still want to compete, etc). BUT, I can imagine a world where the Braves look to reallocate finances and reload their farm system, so there is some kind of single percentile chance there could be a fit here.
Sean Murphy, RHH C, 31 years old, under contract through 2028 at $12M a year, club option for 2029 – Another former Athletic whom the Guardians tried to acquire, Murphy may be more available because Atlanta has found a good hitting catcher in Drake Baldwin. Baldwin, however, is not the defender Murphy is. Murphy has a career 116 wRC+ vs. LHP and a 109 wRC+ vs. RHP. Acquiring a catcher in their 30’s is not the Guardians’ m.o., for good reason, but if there is a catcher with potential to be a middle of the order hitter and a great presence on defense in baseball, it is probably Murphy. He would not be cheap to acquire if the Braves make him available, despite his age and contract length. If there is a 1% chance an Olson deal could come together, then I feel like there’s a 8% chance a Murphy trade could happen. So, there’s that.
Marlins
Heriberto Hernandez, RHH OF, 26 years old, six years of team control left – Hernandez put up a 118 wRC+ and looked good in left and right field, while putting up exactly even splits against lefties and righties. The Marlins shouldn’t really be sellers given their strong finish to the season, but former Lets Go Tribe commenter Peter Bendix has been creative in finding ways to improve the team and I could imagine a scenario where he sells high on Hernandez to a team willing to give him a couple good, legitimate prospects for him. If so, hey, Hernandez would immediately make a great platoon in right field with George Valera and be playable against RHP at DH. He’s one of the few young players with some proven value you could imagine being available and immediately helpful… but let me be clear that the acquisition cost will not be cheap if this happens.
Some folks have mentioned the Marlins’ current shortstop Otto Lopez, but, in looking at his stats, I don’t think he’s an upgrade over the players the Guardians currently have in the middle infield/shortstop role.
Mets
I don’t see a match here. Some folks have speculated that the Mets might trade Francisco Lindor and fantasized about the Guardians’ reacquiring him. I love Lindor and would be thrilled if that happened. It will not happen. On either end.
Phillies
Alec Bohm, RHH 1B/3B, 29 years old, last year of arbitration in 2026 – I do think the Phillies likely trade Bohm who has a career 103 wRC+ (133 wRC+ vs. LHP for his career). Bohm could spell Jose Ramirez at third base and start at first base and hold his own defensively, so there is a potential fit here. I’d hope the Guardians can aim higher, but Bohm certainly would fit on their roster if they go that direction.
Some folks have mentioned left-handed outfielder Brandon Marsh. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Phillies trade Marsh who is a solid hitter and average fielder in center and left, but I’d prefer the Guardians not target a lefty hitter with huge splits and I like their current options of DeLauter, Valera, Halpin and Kayfus well enough for the spot Marsh would take that I don’t want this move.
Nationals – Don’t see a match here.
Cubs
Miguel Amaya, RHH C, 26 years old – Amaya has a career 92 wRC+ and is solid defensively, and the Cubs have two other good catcher options. So, maybe Amaya is available? He does have terrible splits vs. LHP (55 wRC+) but maybe the Guardians would see this as reliable production upgrading over Bo Naylor?
Second baseman/shortstop Nico Hoerner as a player on his last year of arbitration is interesting here (and I know the Guardians have loved Hoerner), but I do think the Cubs find a way to extend him. Shortstop Dansby Swanson is also interesting as a player the Cubs could try to move, but can’t imagine the Guardians taking on his contract.
Reds
I don’t see a great match here. If the Guardians buy Noelvi Marte’s potential… maybe there is something there? But, I think I like internal options better than Marte by a significant amount.
Brewers – Not a great match here.
Pirates
Bryan Reynolds, SH RF, 30 years old, under control through 2030 for $13M a year – Reynolds has a 109 wRC+ over his past three seasons and a career 114 wRC+ vs. LHP. He’s basically an average fielding right fielder. I can’t imagine the Guardians acquiring a 30 year old whose bat seems to be declining for the money Reynolds is owed. But, I am sure the Pirates would trade him if a team wants to take that contract on.
Oneil Cruz, LHH CF, 27 years old, under arbitration control through 2028 – Cruz is the kind of player every team believes it can fix and he’s just come off an 86 wRC+ season where one can imagine the Pirates looking to move him as he hits his arb years (although his career wRC+ is still 100). He hits the ball hard all the time but strikes out too much and hits it on the ground too hard. He cannot hit LHP (54 wRC+ vs. 117 wRC+ against RHP) so far, so that’s another consideration. If the Guardians were to acquire Cruz to play centerfield, I would feel confident in J.T. Maguire having him playing excellent defense there while being an average hitter. But, I don’t expect the Guardians to pay the amount in prospects it would take to get Cruz.
Cardinals
Brendan Donovan, LHH IF/OF, 29 years old, under arbitration control through 2027 – Donovan has a career 119 wRC+ but 88 wRC+ vs. LHP and 130 wRC+ vs. RHP for his career, so he’s mostly a platoon bat. If acquired, I’d expect him to play second base until Travis Bazzana is ready and Juan Brito to get moved to a different team. OR, he’d be acquired to replace Steven Kwan if Kwan was dealt. Not particularly likely given Donovan’s handedness and his only two years of control left, but still an interesting possibility to consider.
Willson Contreras, RHH C/1B, 33 years old, under control through 2027 for $18M a year – I wrote about how Contreras as a first baseman would be my top target for the Guardians this offseason here. This is my guy, even despite his fiery and somewhat surly nature at times. I think the team could use this kind of presence in the lineup and clubhouse to bring some extra spark. He can also serve as a third catcher as needed.
Lars Nootbaar, LHH OF, 28 years old, under arbitration control through 2027 – Nootbaar has a 113 wRC+ and is average in left and above average in right. He has a 97 wRC+ vs. LHP so he’s playable there. I don’t know if the Cardinals will move Nootbaar, but he is the kind of bat you can imagine having 1-2 great offensive years if he is healthy. He’s also a player you can probably stomach in center field. He won’t be cheap to acquire if St. Louis moves him, and I suspect the Guardians will be content with their current left-handed hitting outfielders.
Diamondbacks
Ketel Marte, SH 2B, 32 years old, under control through 2030, $15M a year, player option for 2031 – I think Marte MAY be available, as Arizona can trade him this offseason and avoid him acquiring 10/5 no-trade powers, but the Diamondbacks will want a lot for a player who has been a franchise face for nine years and has an outside shot at the hall of fame. Marte has a 121 wRC+ for his career with a 140 wRC+ against LHP. It’s hard not to salivate at the idea of Jose Ramirez and Ketel Marte in the same lineup, but that’s a long commitment for a player who has entered his 30’s, so this is a very unlikely move. It won’t stop me from dreaming about this perfect #2 hitter for the Guardians’ lineup.
Rockies – Don’t see a great fit here. Jordan Beck and Brenton Doyle have been mentioned… neither are good players. Man, the Rockies are terrible. If there is a trade here, it’s an exchange of minor leaguers.
Dodgers
Alex Call, RHH OF, 31 years old, under arbitration control through 2029 – Any interest in a “Whoops, let’s re-do that” trade again this offseason? Call has a career 108 wRC+ vs. LHP, so that’s not really enough to make me interested in this, but it does seem to be a reliable number and he’s a good right fielder.
I don’t really see why the Dodgers would trade Andy Pages, but I guess you can never tell with a team like LA who can sign anyone they want to replace a young player like that. If they’re open for business there, I’m in, but Cleveland the Dodgers don’t seem to have any sort of connection.
Padres – Don’t see a great match here.
Giants
Heliot Ramos, RHH LF, 26 years old, under arbitration control through 2029 – Is there potential that the Giants could try to blow things up? Probably not, but if they did, Ramos has a 134 wRC+ against LHP for his career, 109 wRC+ overall. You’d be counting on Maguire to fix his poor outfield defense, admittedly. I don’t know, but I do know that this Giants roster is an absolute mess, so maybe they do consider some big moves.
Relief Options:
Payton Tolle, LHP, 23 years old – career 4.50 xERA and 3.98 xFIP – Boston Red Sox
Bryan Hudson, LHP, 28 years old – career 2.83 ERA – Chicago White Sox
Grant Taylor, RHP 23 years old – 1.42 FIP – Chicago White Sox
Carson Palmquist, LHP 25 years old – Colorado Rockies
Porter Hodge, RHP 24 years old – 3.33 xERA, 3.68 xFIP – Chicago Cubs
Grant Holman, RHP 25 years old – 4.34 FIP – Athletics
Josh Walker, LHP, 31 years old – 4.00 FIP – Blue Jays
Yohan Ramirez, RHP, 30 years old – 4.22 xERA – Pittsburgh Pirates
Luke Little, LHP, 25 years old – career 3.69 xERA – Chicago Cubs
Hayden Harris, LHP, 26 years old – 3.38 ERA – Atlanta Braves
Connor Brogdon, RHP, 30 years old – career 3.64 xERA, Los Angeles Angels
Kyle Nicolas, RHP, 26 years old – career 4.10 FIP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Max Lazar, RHP, 26 years old – Philadelphia Phillies
Chris Roycroft, RHP, 28 years old – 4.21 FIP – St. Louis Cardinals
Every name here is in the top percentile for pitch extension and all throw mid-upper 90’s with their fastballs except for the three names I put in italics. These are the types of players the Guardians tend to target if they can get teams to bail on them a little early. If Cleveland acquires any of these names, the hype will be small, but I’d expect any of them quickly to become high leverage options here.
On this list of players whom I believe are available, I think my top five most desired for the Guardians are 1. Contreras, 2. Ward, 3. Paredes, 4. Yandy Diaz, and 5. Mountcastle. But, I can’t stop myself from delusionally dreaming about the likes of Marte, Rooker, Olson and even Hernandez, as well. Cleveland has a good enough minor league system where if they want to make a move for a bat on this list, it should be feasible. Let’s see what happens!
