The Cleveland Guardians missed out on Marcell Ozuna, who they seemed to be a top suitor for to upgrade their lineup. However, they have a chance to get back at the team who took Ozuna from them.
Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller predicts that the Guardians will sign Pittsburgh Pirates legend Andrew McCutchen to become their DH, and sub in the outfield when needed.
“It was a little surprising—though totally understandable—that the Pirates on Monday invested $12M in Marcell Ozuna to be their DH instead of sticking with what had been their traditional one-year, $5M arrangement with Cutch over the past three seasons. If he signs with Cleveland, though, he’d get the benefit of staying relatively close to home while providing veteran leadership (and the occasional day off) for an outfield where rookies Chase DeLauter and George Valera are penciled in to start in center and right,” Miller wrote.
This past season, McCutchen slashed .239/.333/.367/.700 with 22 doubles, 13 home runs and 57 RBI in 135 games. While his numbers are nowhere near his MVP and All-Star days, what really matters is the experience he brings.
With Chase DeLauter and George Valera now fully MLB-ready, getting a guy like McCutchen could be perfect, as the duo could have a former superstar at their position mentor them and jumpstart their growth for a whole season, and by 2027, those two can become real monsters.
If the Guardians stick with the arrangement the Pirates had with McCutchen, a one-year deal of around $5 million, this could well be worth it. Hopefully, they make a decision soon, as Spring Training is almost here.
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