Christmas is coming. What am I asking Santa for the best fans in baseball?

It’s tempting to write the “Paul Dolan is Scrooge and will be visited by three spirits: Satchel Paige, Rocky Colavito and Jose Ramirez from the future (2030) and is convinced to bump payroll to $150 million” column. Or, to make my number one wishes traing for a middle-of-the-order hitter and a centerfielder. But, I’d like to go in a different direction. Maybe Dolan could spend more. Certainly, the Guardians need to do something to help their hitting before this offseason is over. Maybe they will. But, let’s wish for something a little less contentious, and spread some goodwill. I think Santa will like that.

Wish 1 – That David Fry would be a 120 wRC+ hitter who crushes lefties again. -David Fry is a great guy. He has shown the ability to be a middle-of-the-order hitter in the past and he was even a decent fielder at catcher, at first, at third and in right-field. He could make Guardians’ ownership and front office folks look like absolute geniuses if he returns in Spring Training looking more like the hitter he was before his elbow injury than the player who has been about 20% below average at the plate since then. He would solve so many issues on this roster.

https://x.com/i/status/1991524562811724265

Wish 2 – That Angel Martinez would hit solely right-handed and would experience huge growth as a centerfielder defensively this offseason. -I feel like I have given the impression that I don’t like Angel, given how I have clamored for an upgrade in the right-handed centerfielder department. This is not true. Angel Martinez is an absolute delight and I love how he can pull fly balls. He’s still so young, he can grow in the field and at the plate. What if he comes to camp with refined instincts in centerfield and giving up the switch-hitting experience and can return to the 120 wRC+ he was against LHP in 2025? Suddenly, there is a player who can start 60 games in centerfield with Chase DeLauter. And, he is unfailingly kind to kids who ask him for autographs and photos. He will be a fan favorite.

https://x.com/i/status/1942784977847964007

Wish 3 – That Travis Bazzana would display more of the contact-ability and power he showed in college and be our starting second baseman by June of 2026. -I think we forget, sometimes, what a fun player Bazzana is. He loves to win. He HATES to lose. He can be an absolute menace at the plate and draws Jose comps. Unleash this Bazmanian Devil on the Cleveland public and let them fall in love.

https://x.com/i/status/1921020564124106937

Wish 4 – That the Guardians would be remarkably healthy in 2025. -From their young starting pitchers – each of whom are exciting in their own way – to Chase DeLauter and George Valera, the Guardians really need a rash of good health. Fans are going to absolutely love Valera if he shows he’s capable of being the strong-side platoon bat he looked to be in the minors for so long. Fans are going to adore DeLauter who may very well be the best outfielder the Guardians have had since Grady Sizemore. Now, if they can just stay on the field.

https://x.com/i/status/1943089634151485453

Wish 5 – That the Guardians would bring back GuardsFest and find more ways to interact with fans in a positive manner. -GuardsFest was a such a fun event, and I know it was canceled simply because it is inconvenient and not a huge money maker. It’s a true shame and I know they are trying to axe it entirely by making it tri-annual so it will fall during the lockout of 2027. Do a mea culpa, Paul. Bring back GuardsFest and offer more opportunities for fans to interact with players and learn to love them and this team.

https://x.com/i/status/1616876233958064130

Wish 6 – That the Guardians would announce an extension with Jose through the 2031 season. -Tack on three-more years, make the player who is set to be the greatest Cleveland baseball player of all-time a Guardian for life. If this happens, I will immediately forgive all offseason malaise in terms of player additions.

https://x.com/i/status/1644026312263082007

Wish 7 – That Kyle Manzardo takes the next step. Manzardo is absolutely delightful. He has such an easy-going, fun spirit about things and he can be a surprising threat at the plate. This can be the season he shows himself to be the Robin to Jose’s Batman.

https://x.com/i/status/1835850715031339076

Wish 8 – That postseason Brayan Rocchio is kinda real. -I think Rocchio being a gold-glove nominee shortstop and a 100-110 wRC+ hitter would be a hilarious outcome. He’s just such a fun player to end up being good with how slow of foot he is and he doesn’t even hit the ball especially hard. Give us this delightful little surprise.

https://x.com/i/status/1973476966188683506

Wish 9 – A World Series title for the fans and for Carl Willis. -Ok, I got greedy. But this fanbase deserves it and so does Carl who seems like such a delight and has been so great for so many pitchers for so long. I think I’ve been pretty fair in my wishes so far, Santa, so give me just this one miracle.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays, Cleveland. We’ve got miracles before – Jose’s extension, the comeback of last season, the 2016 run, the 2017 winning streak – we can see them again. Hang in there.