The Cleveland Guardians need to make some moves. This team shocked the world and made the playoffs with an epic late-season run, but that clearly wasn’t enough to be considered a legitimate World Series contender.
They have plenty of promising young players who could all have big roles on the team as early as next season. That being said, they also need proven hitters who can contribute to the offense right out of the gate.
With that in mind, team insider Paul Hoynes suggested they should make a run at Nathaniel Lowe. In his latest column, he explained why he’d be a seamless fit and a good move for this team:
“1B-DH Nathaniel Lowe, 30,” Hoynes wrote. “He hit .228 (123 for 540) with 18 homers and 84 RBI for the Nationals and the Red Sox in 2025. The former Gold Glove winner will be eligible for free agency once again after the 2026 season, so he’s a candidate for a one-year deal. The addition of Lowe would cost Kyle Manzardo time at first base, but the offense needs more production. Lowe made $10.3 million last season. Think of it as a younger version of the Carlos Santana signing last year.”
Manzardo closed out the past season on a high note. He added contact to his swing without giving up power, and he should be a featured player next season and so forth. Even so, it didn’t always seem like he had Stephen Vogt’s full trust.
Carlos Santana’s return was fairly disappointing, yet he continued to get the nod over Manzardo until it was painfully evident that he no longer had it in him. Manzardo has definitely earned his shot, but if Vogt still has some doubts about him, Lowe could be a feasible option.
More importantly, he’s not the type of player who’s going to demand a steep salary to take his talents to Cleveland. Given his combination of experience, offense, and payable salary, he’s just what this team might be looking for right now.
NEXT: Guardians Named Potential Landing Spot For Free Agent Outfielder
