If the Cleveland Guardians plan to upgrade through the free agent market, they're running out of options.
The Cleveland Guardians front office even admitted the team’s offensive production wasn’t good enough in 2025, but they also haven’t made any meaningful moves to address the team’s defense either.
There was a group of free agents on the open market this winter that would’ve represented perfect fits for the Guardians. That makeup being a right-handed-hitting outfielder who mashes left-handed pitching.
Unfortunately, for Cleveland, the vast majority of that group have found homes for the 2026 season, and none of them have signed with the Guardians.
Here’s a look at who those players were, where they signed, and what their contracts are reportedly worth:
- Harrison Bader - San Francisco Giants; two-years for $20.5 million
- Adolis Garcia - Philadelphia Phillies; one-year for $10 million
- Rob Refsnyder - Seattle Mariners; one-year for $6.25 million
- Austin Hays - Chicago White Sox; one-year for $6 million
- Lane Thomas - Kansas City Royals; one-year for $5.25 million
Jul 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Players in the Cleveland Guardians dugout react in the ninth inning of a loss to the Colorado Rockies at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn ImagesHowever, Chris Atonetti said himself that losing out on some of their free-agent targets had nothing to do with finances but simply with available playing time, with the Guardians still determined to give the young core opportunities.
Out of the group listed, it's most disappointing that the Guardians weren't able to at least convince Thomas to come back to Cleveland. He had been in the organization for the last year and a half, and has a career .859 OPS against southpaws.
At this point, the Guardians really are running out of options if they hope to make any meaningful additions through the free agent market.
If there is any hope left, it’s that there is still one unsigned outfielder on the market who would represent a clear upgrade for the Guardians, and shouldn’t break the bank either: Miguel Andujar. The 30-year-old is coming off a season in which he slashed .318/.352/.470 and had a .987 OPS against left-handed pitching with the Cincinnati Reds.
Would Andujar be willing to take on an outfield platoon role coming off a career-best season?
If not, the Guardians’ roster as it stands now is likely the team that shows up in Goodyear in two weeks, unless there is an unforeseen trade on the horizon.
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