Though the Cleveland Guardians have done little to address their offensive shortcomings from the outside, there is still time to do so. Thanks to a relatively slow-moving MLB offseason overall, there are some accomplished players available with spring training right around the corner.
Though it has never been their style, because the Guardians were among the worst-scoring teams in baseball last season, it was thought they could try to make a splash on the free agent market to add some punch to their lineup. However, they have remained quiet, so quiet that some observers are saying they have gone “backwards” as a team.
With that in mind, the Guardians have been named among the “best fits” for free agent All-Star infielder Luis Arraez.
“Arraez and the Guardians are a match. Sure, Cleveland has a handful of middle infielders — Brayan Rocchio, Daniel Schneemann and Gabriel Arias — who have had their moments, but none of these individuals are as impactful at the plate as Arraez. A three-time All-Star, Arraez would give Cleveland a quintessential contact hitter and form an electric one-two punch with Steven Kwan at the top of manager Stephen Vogt’s order. The pair of quick hitters would provide more RBI opportunities for Jose Ramirez and Kyle Manzardo. Arraez could work at either first or second base for Cleveland. Granted, Arraez playing second base is more likely at the outset, given the Guardians could put Manzardo at first base on a full-time basis (Manzardo served as Cleveland’s designated hitter for 68 games in the regular season),” FOX Sports wrote.
Arraez is indeed a very similar hitter to Kwan, an All-Star outfielder who is Cleveland’s leadoff hitter. Having two of those could create more baserunners, but it also would severely limit the power potential of the lineup overall.
Giving at-bats to someone who has just 12 home runs in over 1,000 plate appearances over the past two seasons, as Arraez has done, could be wasting a spot in the order. Of course, if Kwan is ultimately traded, as has been the persistent rumor over the past year, Arraez could be a seamless replacement in that role.
Kwan is also a Gold Glove outfielder, but his well-rounded game has yet to earn him a contract extension from the Guardians, who hold his rights through next season. However, a recent free agent contract signed by Bo Bichette with the New York Mets may have driven up Kwan’s price much higher than Cleveland is willing to go.
Despite outside critics, Vogt is confident in the Guardians’ approach this offseason. His 2026 lineup will rely on improvement from within, whether that’s from established players like Manzardo or the continued growth of prospects George Valera, Chase DeLauter, C.J. Kayfus, and Travis Bazzana.
Arraez is a three-time batting champion, and a team can never have too much talent, but the Guardians’ need for his particular skill set may not be great, unless Kwan winds up elsewhere.
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