The Cleveland Guardians haven’t signed many free agents this offseason, yet that doesn’t imply they can’t explore the discount market. Having reached the ALCS last year, they are close to contending in the American League once more. Though Carlos Santana was brought in to play first base, there are additional gaps to address. Jorge Polanco, Kyle Gibson, Jon Berti, and Jose Quintana need to be on the Guardians’ watch list this offseason.
The Guardians currently have two distinct requirements during the MLB offseason: pitching and infield. Their initial rotation was lacking last season and it was a significant factor in their defeat to the Yankees in the playoffs. They did re-sign Shane Bieber after he missed the whole season due to recovering from Tommy John surgery. However, there are no further additions beyond that. The absence of Josh Naylor will leave a larger gap than Carlos Santana can occupy. The Guardians additionally dealt Andres Gimenez to the Blue Jays, leaving a gap at second base.
Although the Guardians aren’t recognized as a big-spending team, they possess an organization capable of maximizing the potential of overlooked players. That is what they ought to aim for in free agency this offseason.
Jorge Polanco would be an ideal match for the Guardians.
The Cleveland Guardians received the team Gold Glove Award for being the top defensive team in the American League. They are proud of their defensive skills, and Andres Gimenez played a significant role in that. With him now on the Blue Jays, they require a dependable fielder at second base. Jorge Polanco struggled offensively during the season in Seattle but can provide the defense they require.
According to Baseball Savant, Seattle is the toughest place to score in the league. Cleveland’s home stadium comes in at 22nd place, which is only slightly better, yet still an improvement for Polanco. The Seattle Effect should be taken into account when signing any player who has just spent the season with the Mariners. The Guardians could greatly gain from a player with significant potential due to his 93 OPS+ from the previous season. That is 16 points less than his career average.
Polanco is expected to sign a one-year deal similar to the one he had in Seattle. Having spent ten seasons with the Minnesota Twins, he is familiar with the division and can step in as a valuable asset for the Guardians.
Kyle Gibson completes the rotation
The Guardians have a significant deficiency in the starting rotation, and Kyle Gibson might be among the players to address it. In the last four years, he has played for four different teams and might end up in Cleveland. Although he hasn’t been an elite starter, he finished last season with a 4.24 ERA and an 8-8 record in 30 starts. In a Guardians team that will outperform last year’s Cardinals roster, he might have an excellent season.
The Guardians had Alex Cobb in the previous season, who had previously played for the Rays, Orioles, Angels, and Giants throughout his career. He was a free agent during the season and required a place to stay. Given last year’s pitching injuries, they should aim to enhance their depth during this offseason. Gibson has the potential to be that player on a one-year contract.
Jon Berti as a multi-functional reserve player
Although he missed part of the season due to a calf injury, Jon Berti had a strong season with the New York Yankees last year. He came off the bench and played at third base, second base, and left field. Although he wasn’t an outstanding hitter, he has the glove that the Guardians seek in every transaction.
Berti is another athlete the Guardians could acquire on a one-year contract. They would take this action due to a strong influx of potential candidates emerging. They wish to avoid hindering Kyle Manzardo or 2024’s first overall selection Travis Bazzana from receiving at-bats. Berti would allow both of those players to participate and could compile some strong at-bats when necessary.
Jose Quintana has the potential to be an excellent pitcher for the Guardians.
Returning to the rotation, which played a significant role in the Mets’ miraculous journey during the 2024 season. Jose Quintana was a key factor overlooked and is a free agent the Guardians ought to pursue. He played for the White Sox for six years, which were the peak of his career. Thus, a visit to Cleveland would be relatively known to the experienced pitcher.
Over the past ten years, the Guardians have consistently transformed pitchers into superstars. They might also utilize a seasoned pitcher to gain an additional strong year from them, which could relate to the Quintana scenario. If he performs consistently well in the final spots of their rotation, they might return to the ALCS.
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