The Cleveland Guardians completed a amazing season in 2024, reaching the League Championship Series for the first time since 2016.
They came up just short of their goal, but let the world know they are here to stay and that they are a sustainable force.
They do have some key positions to upgrade, most notably the rotation and right field.
According to wRC+, a stat that measures offensive production relative to the league average, the Guardians right fielders were 20th in MLB with a below-average 93 mark.
Steven Kwan and Lane Thomas are firmly entrenched as the starters in left and center field, respectively, but right field remains a mystery.
Several players saw action there, from Will Brennan to Jhonkensy Noel and many others.
None of them was able to run away with the job.
These are three potential options the Guardians could use to take over at the position:
Taylor Ward
Ward played mostly left field in 2024 for the Los Angeles Angels, but he has plenty of experience in right.
He is arbitration-eligible for two more years.
Projected to get a salary in the neighborhood of $8.7 million in 2025, he is a bit on the expensive side for what Cleveland usually spends, but he just hit a career-high 25 homers and that’s exactly what the lineup needs: power.
The Angels should be more than willing to trade him and the Guards should at least consider him.
Tyler O’Neill
O’Neill will enter free agency after posting a 31-homer, 131 wRC+, and 2.5-WAR season in Boston.
He will likely be too pricy for the Guardians taste, but they need impact power from a guy who can play both outfield corners.
O’Neill is that guy, and is he is in his prime at 30 years old.
Chase DeLauter
We have the trade candidate, the free agent, and of course the internal option in DeLauter.
DeLauter, a former first-round draft pick, is a future starter in the Guardians outfield.
The question is: when does that future start?
There is a chance he is ready for Opening Day if Cleveland gives him the chance.
He reached as high as Triple-A this year and you could argue he is ready now.
At peak, he is capable of hitting close to .300 with 20 home runs and lots of doubles.
NEXT: Should The Guardians Pursue Former Cy Young Award Winner In Free Agency?
