Austin Hays would have been a perfect free agent target for the Cleveland Guardians, but the outfielder is reportedly signing with a division rival instead.
There weren’t a ton of players on the free agent market that would have made sense as realistic targets for the Cleveland Guardians, but there was a select group of outfitters that could have fit in with this current roster.
The perfect free agent candidate for the Guardians all offseason was Austin Hays, and with the veteran delaying his signing, there was some hope that Cleveland could somehow convince the outfielder to join the defending two-time division champions.
However, Cleveland has reportedly lost out on the veteran, with multiple reports citing that Hays has signed a deal with the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland's division rival.
The Guardians reportedly did reach out to Hays and his camp throughout the offseason to “put out feels” on whether he’d want to come to Cleveland for the 2026 season.
However, the veteran outfielder wanted a situation where he would get to play every day (per Zack Meisel of The Athletic), and that wasn’t going to be with the Guardians, given their young outfielders, Chase DeLauter and George Valera.
Apr 17, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds designated hitter Austin Hays (12) runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn ImagesHays would have been a perfect fit with the Guardians. The outfielder is coming off a season in which he hit .266/.315/.453, including 15 home runs. Hays is also an incredible hitter against left-handed pitching, logging an OPS of .949 against southpaws a year ago.
Cleveland must feel extremely confident in their young core if they did not feel that Hays could earn an everyday, or close to it, role on the Guardians roster.
If it turns out that Cleveland made the wrong decision by not pursuing Hays, they’ll constantly be reminded of it. The Guardians will face the White Sox 13 times this year, more than any team outside the American League Central.
The Guardians making a splash free agent signing felt like a long shot even before Hays was off the board, but now an external addition through the open market seems pretty much out of the question for the Guardians.
We’ll see if that narrative changes between now and Opening Day.
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