The Cleveland Guardians had arguably the league’s worst offense last season, yet they still found a way to win the AL Central for the second year in a row. A lot has to change to get this offense rolling in 2026, and just about all of those changes are going to have to come from in-house options since the front office didn’t do much in free agency or on the trade market to inject some life into this lineup.
One player who can provide a big boost is David Fry, who posted an .804 OPS in 2024 and made the All-Star team before falling off a cliff in 2025 and plummeting to a .592 OPS in an injury-riddled campaign that limited him to 66 games. If he can get close to that 2024 version of himself again, he’ll provide a massive boost to this team and justify the front office’s decision to remain quiet this offseason.
In a recent article for MLB.com, Tim Stebbins wrote about Fry and shed some light on what he has been through and what he is looking forward to in 2026. Fry talked about how he is finally over his elbow injury and is ready to let it rip.
“I can finally rip a baseball without wondering, ‘Is this going to hurt my elbow, and how bad?’” he said. “I can just go out and play. It’s so much fun.”
Fry hit a paltry .171 last season and it’s unclear where he fits into this lineup heading into Opening Day. Even if he starts out strictly as a platoon option who only plays against lefties to help him ease back into a nice groove, it’s something this lineup desperately needs.
Outside of Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan, there are question marks just about everywhere in this lineup. A healthy and productive Fry can at least answer one of those questions.
It’s hard to imagine Fry hitting .171 again. Here’s to hoping he can get back close to what he was in 2024 and help mash this team to its third consecutive division title.
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