The Cleveland Guardians obviously need to improve their offense this offseason and find a proven MLB hitter they can add to the middle-to-top of their lineup. 

That’s easier said than done, though, and who should Cleveland be targeting for an external acquisition?

There could be a lot of options put there, but there is one free agent bat who makes too much sense for the Guardians to add this winter: Austin Hays.

First off, the Guardians simply need more outfield depth. 

Yes, they’ll have Chase DeLauter, George Valuera, CJ Kayfus, and Petey Halpin in the mix at the beginning of 2026, who weren’t there at the start of 2025. However, the first two names mentioned have lengthy injury histories, which should make Cleveland hesitant about their ability to play a full season.

Hays has eight years of big-league experience and would be a great option to add to the roster on a short-term deal.

The 30-year-old may not raise the ceiling of Cleveland’s 2026 potential, but he certainly raises the floor and could help the Guardians be a playoff team again next year.

Hays had a very productive hitter throughout his career, and is coming off a solid season with the Cincinnati Reds, slashing .266/.315/.453, including 16 doubles, 15 home runs, and three triples.

The Guardians are a team that desperately needs some help against left-handed pitching, and that’s where Hays has thrived since making his MLB debut. The right-handed hitter registered an OPS of .949 against Southpaws in 2026.

He would be the perfect platoon partner with DeLauter and Valera, even when they are healthy. 

The Guardians don’t spend a ton in free agency; we know that. Luckily for Cleveland, Hays is probably in their budget. 

Before the 2025 season, Hays signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Rays. He’ll likely be looking for a little more guaranteed money than last year, being a more productive and healthy year than 2024, but the Guardians should still be able to afford Hays, even if he’s asking for closer to $8-10 million this offseason.