So far this offseason, the bullpen has focused on the bullpen by signing free agents Shawn Armstrong, Connor Brogdonagain Colin Holderman. On the offensive side, the only significant move so far is the re-signing of the tackle Austin Hedges. Moving forward, the club could look to add a right-handed hitter, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. who added that Cleveland was interested in meeting again Lane Thomas before he signed with the Royals.
In 2025, the Guardian outfield was led by a left fielder Steven Kwanwho hit .272/.330/.374 with a 99 wRC+ with exceptional defense, including 22 Defensive Runs Saved. That was good for 3.2 WAR according to FanGraphs, but unfortunately for Cleveland, Kwan is the only solid hitter among the team’s outfielders, with the others posting mediocre numbers at the intersection. Nolan Jones again Angel Martinez he made 384 plate appearances and 371 plate appearances, respectively, but both only posted a 73 wRC+ and reached base less than 30% of the time. Meanwhile, Kwan and Jones are both left-handed hitters, while Martinez is a switch hitter who does better from right. He posted a 123 wRC+ in 169 PA against southpaws this year, compared to just a 48 wRC+ in 315 PA as a lefty facing righty pitchers.
Currently, almost every outfielder in the 40-man squad plays on the left side. Without replacing Martinez, that’s the only thing right about the team Jonathan Rodriguezwho hit .197/.260/.366 with a 74 wRC+ in a limited sample of 77 PA this year. He is listed by MLB.com as the organization’s No. 1 prospect. 18 going into 2024 and has a good output as a power hitter. He has one year left, so the club may want to keep him around to see if he can carve out a big role (or shove him in the minors if he can’t).
However, the club did not receive any production from right-handed hitters in 2025. Out of Martinez, Rodriguez, Thomas, and Jonkensy Noelonly Martinez’s 123 wRC+ from the righty was above average. Thomas posted a 48 wRC+ in 142 PA this year and missed significant time with three trips to the injured list. Now he plays for the Royals. Noel was even worse with a 28 wRC+ in 153 PA. He struck out 34.0% of the time and walked at a 2.6% rate while spending most of the second half in the minors. Cleveland selected him for assignment last week.
As noted by Rosenthal, the team may want to give time to their young outfielders. Chase DeLauter is the organization’s top outfield prospect and the league’s No. 58 prospect overall, according to MLB.com. He made his debut during the Wild Card Series against the Tigers and will play a major role in 2026. DeLauter is a left-handed hitter, so while he might increase the team’s overall production, he wouldn’t help the team’s traps from the right side. Three outside prospects in the Guardian’s Top 30 list – Jason Chourio, Alfonsin Rosarioagain Aaron Walton – they are good or hitters, but they won’t be good for a few years. The Rangers may just be rolling the dice again with their current crop of outfielders, but barring a Rodriguez conversion (or more time as a righty hitter for Martinez), that doesn’t leave much room for optimism.
Unsurprisingly, the club may be limited in its decisions due to salary considerations. RosterResource estimates his 2026 payroll at $79MM, compared to $102MM in 2025. After winning the AL Central but falling in the first round of the playoffs, the club certainly wants to make progress, although it won’t be a player in the top tier of the market. Harrison Bader is the leading hitter, though a two-year, $26MM contract is expected to be out of Cleveland’s price range. Other free agent options include Miguel Andujarwho had a 125 wRC+ in 341 PA in 2025, as well Austin Hays again Rob Refsnyder.
