FanGraphs released their top 50 free agents today… are their any fits for the Guardians on the list?
It’s the usual time of year where I post something about free agents and everyone reminds me that the Guardians never spend in free agency and I pretend this is new information. So, let’s leave all that palaver aside and look at a few names on the bottom third of the top 50 free agents list assembled by FanGraphs’ Ben Clemens and imagine the Guardians actually spending a little of their ALCS-home-game
money this offseason on one of nine potential fits. The contracts below are Clemens’ projections; the article contains crowdsourced projections which tend to be higher, but no one really knows what to expect right now:
JoJo Romero, LHrP – 2 years/$16M, 30 years old, 3.36 ERA/3.94 FIP in 2026
Analysis: To be honest, I can’t imagine the Guardians going two years on Romero, but I included him here because if he slips to one year, it’s within the realm of possibility. He’s a solid lefty for middle innings and probably an improvement over post 2024-Tim Herrin.
Brandon Woodruff, RHSP – 1 y/$10M, 30 years old, 2.98 ERA/3.19 FIP in 2026
Analysis: Woodruff will be looking for a pillow contract to prove he is healthy and able to compete at reduced velocity. To me, the Guardians seem about as good a place as any for him to get that opportunity. At $10M, the risk should be fairly minimal and the reward is a guy you could start in a playoff game and feel good about his chances of giving you a shot to win.
Alex Vesia, LHrP – 2 y/$18M, 30 years old, 2.64 ERA/3.18 FIP in 2026
Analysis: He’s a better version of what JoJo Romero provides. I am not sure the Guardians would go two guaranteed years for a reliever, but this is the kind of arm that levels up a pen.
Evan Phillips, RHrP – 2 y/$20M, 32 years old, 3.46 ERA/3.87 FIP in 2026
Analysis: While recovering from injury, Phillips showed he still has a special arm and can be a high leverage reliever. Were the Guardians to make a move like this, it would demonstrate a willingness to go beyond the “Shawn Armstrong-level” of arms and it allows you to move Hunter Gaddis and Daniel Espino into the 6th-7th innings instead of 7th-8th. I’d love this kind of move.
Ty France, RHH 1B – 1 y/$13M, 32 years old, 141 wRC+ in 2026
Analysis: France is the only hitter on the list I could see the Guardians getting at the listed price. Would it be wise to bet on France to reproduce his 2026 season? Probably not, but he does have a career 114 wRC+ vs. LHP (137 wRC+ last season) and provides excellent first base defense. It’s at least a plausible signing and would be a dramatic upgrade from David Fry and Rhys Hoskins if he can do something remotely similar to 2026.
David Peterson, LHP- 1 y/$13M, 31 years old, 4.79 ERA/3.94 FIP in 2026
Analysis: He’s 6’6 and gets good pitch release extension. I could see the Guardians getting the most out of Peterson on a pillow deal and convincing him that will be the case. And, if for some reason, he’s not up for starting, he’s probably an excellent reliever against left-handed hitters.
Foster Griffin, LHP – 1 y/$14M, 31 years old, 3.60 ERA/3.96 FIP in 2026
Analysis: You know about Griffin. If he wants multiple years, as I’m sure he does, I doubt he signs here. However, if he surveys the market and looks for a pillow-deal to show he deserves the big contract, I could definitely imagine the Guardians being in on that.
Tyler Mahle, RHP – 2 y/$30M, 32 years old, 3.99 ERA/3.99 FIP in 2026
Analysis: How is Mahle getting two years? I don’t think he will. And, I could see the Guardians being in on Mahle for one year, and I know they attempted to acquire him at a trade deadline a few years ago.
Nick Martinez, RHP – 2 y/$30M, 36 years old, 3.10 ERA/3.96 FIP in 2026
Analysis: Martinez has tortured us enough. It’s time to sign him and show everyone we can maximize him just like Tampa Bay did. Hand Martinez your third starter role, Antonetti, and forget about the rotation. Also, he’s 36. Let’s get him on a one-year deal.
Summary: It’s Nick Martinez and Evan Phillips who make me most excited if I were to hear the Guardians were interested in them, but if they make a move of ANY kind of significance in Free Agency, we won’t complain.
