CLEVELAND, Ohio — When last season ended, there was no question what the Guardians needed. They needed offense, lots and lots of offense.
So far this offseason their focus has been on relievers, lots and lots of relievers.
They did re-sign catcher Austin Hedges and his .161 (25 for 155) batting average. They also signed veteran outfielder Stuart Fairchild to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. Fairchild, a second round pick of the Reds in 2017, played 28 games last season with the Braves, hitting .216 (11 for 51).
Nothing against Hedges or Fairchild, who have forged hard-earned careers in the big leagues, but that’s not going to do much to improve the Guardians’ .226 team batting average from last season.
What the Guardians are trying to do is find the perfect fit. They are looking for a hitter who will help revitalize one of the weakest offenses in franchise history, while not hindering the development of the position players they’ve cared for over the last several years.
Executives Chris Antonetti and Mike Chernoff believe that Gabriel Arias, Brayan Rocchio, Kyle Manzardo, C.J. Kayfus, Angel Martinez, Johnathan Rodriguez, Chase DeLauter, George Valera, Daniel Schneemann, Petey Halpin, Bo Naylor, Travis Bazzana and others offer a potential offensive surge that just needs to be nurtured a little while longer.
To find a player that would complement that group while not costing them too many at-bats has presented some problems.
Former Texas Ranger Adolis Garcia signed a one-year $10 million deal with the Phillies this winter.AP
The Guardians talked to outfielders Lane Thomas and Adolis Garcia about the job. Thomas spent the last 1 1/2 years with the Guardians, but played only 39 games last season because of injuries before becoming a free agent. Garcia, a right-handed hitter like Thomas, didn’t have a great 2025 with Texas, but still hit .227 (115 for 507) with 19 homers and 75 RBI. The Rangers, not wanting to pay Garcia a projected $12 million in arbitration for 2026, made him a free agent in November by not offering him a contract.
The response from Thomas and Garcia to Cleveland’s interest was thanks, but no thanks. They wanted to play on a regular basis and not be fenced in by a platoon. Thomas signed a one-year $5.25 deal with Kansas City, while Garcia signed a one-year $10 million deal with Philadelphia.
No one expects the Guardians to bid on the prime free agent hitters still on the market — Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette, Cody Bellinger and Alex Bregman.
But other free agents have signed or are still available that could fill the role. On the trade front, hitters have been moved who could have easily helped the Guardians.
The Angels sent power-hitting outfielder Tyler Ward to Baltimore for right-hander Grayson Rodriguez. Ward, a free agent after 2026, would have been a good fit as a right-handed power hitter in a Guardians’ lineup that leans heavily to the left.
He hit .228 (132 for 579) with 36 homers and 103 RBI last season. Rodriguez, potentially a No.1 or No. 2 starter, did not pitch in 2025 because of injuries.
The Guardians liked Ward, but not at the expense of trading one of their prized starting pitchers.
First baseman Willson Contreras was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Boston Red Sox following the 2025 season.Getty Images
On Christmas Eve, St. Louis traded right-handed slugger Willson Contreras to Boston for three young pitchers. Contreras, a former catcher, was moved to first base by the Cardinals at the start of last season.
Contreras still has at least $41.5 million left on his contract, which almost assuredly is too rich for the Guardians. It also would have been hard for them to trade young pitching, but as a right-handed hitter, Contreras certainly could have balanced the lineup and added some much-needed thump.
On the downside, he would have hindered Manzardo and Kayfus’ development at first base and DH.
Ryan O’Hearn, another free-agent first baseman-DH, signed a two-year $29 million deal with the Pirates on Tuesday. O’Hearn would have been a tough fit on the Guardians because he’s a left-handed hitter as are Manzardo, Kayfus, Valera and others.
Still, he could have shared the DH spot. Last year with Baltimore and San Diego, O’Hearn hit .281 with 14 of his 17 homers and 48 of his 63 RBI against right-handers.
Free agent Luis Arraez.AP
Some fans have wondered if the Guardians should pursue free agent Luis Arráez, the three-time batting champion who hit .292 (181 for 620) last season with the Padres.
While Arráez would certainly improve Cleveland’s batting average and on-base percentage, he doesn’t have much power and is a so-so defender whose best position seems to be first base. That’s probably a non-starter because the Guardians want Manzardo to play as many games at first base as possible in 2026.
The Guardians already have a hitter similar to Arráez in Steven Kwan. He’s a high-contact hitter without much power. Kwan, however, is a much better defender and a better base-stealing threat.
That’s not to say two talented contact hitters couldn’t help Cleveland, but acquiring a hitter with better run production skills might be a better option.
The Guardians have been connected with several hitters this winter, including St. Louis utility man Brendan Donovan and free agent outfielder Harrison Bader. Donovan, a Gold Glove winner, would have to be acquired through trade. Several clubs are said to be interested.
Bader turned down a $10 million option from the Phillies to become a free agent. He is said to be looking for a two-year deal worth $26 million.
Meanwhile, the search for the perfect fit continues.