The Cleveland Guardians have desperately needed to add to the outfield position group, and the front office did make one minor move to help that depth by bringing in a veteran outfielder who has jumped around the league over the last few seasons.
On Saturday, the organization announced that it had signed OF Stuart Fairchild to a Minor League contract for the 2026 season, which includes a non-roster invitation to Major League camp at spring training.
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Fairchild, 29, has appeared with five teams over the last five seasons, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds, and Atlanta Braves.
During the 2025 season, Fairchild spent time with the Atlanta Braves organization. He ultimately appeared in 28 major-league games, collecting 11 hits in 51 at-bats (.216 batting average). Four of those hits were doubles, and one of them was a triple.
Fairchild’s best full season in the Majors came in 2023 when the outfielder played in 97 games for the Cincinnati Reds, registering a .228/.321/.388 slash line with an OPS of .700.
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The veteran outfielder is a solid defender, too. In his last full big-league campaign, he ranked in the 83rd percentile in outs above average, the 60th percentile in arm value, and the 58th percentile in arm strength. This makes him a candidate to be moved around the field depending on the situation and lineup.
May 14, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Stuart Fairchild (17) celebrates after an RBI double against the Washington Nationals in the third inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
This move may not be the big trade or free-agent signing fans have been hoping to see the Guardians make to add to the outfield, but it is still a solid depth move, and that’s something this Guardians roster desperately needs in the outfield.
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Cleveland’s outfield does have a high ceiling with the Opening Day alignment likely to be Steven Kwan in left field, Chase DeLauter in center field, and George Valera in right field. That said, this group, including All-Star Kwan, is relatively injury-prone.
If the Guardians are forced to place DeLayter, Kwan, or Valera on the injured list for an extended period in 2026, Fairchild could be a solid option to add to the MLB roster as veteran depth at the position.