The Guardians could use some production in right field, specifically against right-handed pitching. Will they find some this offseason in free agency or a trade?
In our previous article in this series, we covered the primary names who should be available this offseason to meet the biggest need on the Guardians: starting pitching. However, the Guardians also had the 20th worst wRC+ in MLB against RHP at 95 and they also had the 21st worst wRC+ from their right-fielders at 92. So, it’s clear they could use an upgrade in right-field, specifically against RHP.
I will not be doing another article looking at potential backup catchers or at the possibility of trading Josh Naylor and signing Carlos Santana (something being hyped up on Twitter at the moment). I assume we will bring back Austin Hedges for the former role and I find the idea that they’ll trade Naylor fairly unlikely. But, we will see how things go. Regardless, the needle-moving potential move is an upgrade in right-field, so that’s where I’m going to spend my time and offer my meager analysis.
Now, the Guardians do have a couple potential right-field options rapidly approaching the big leagues. Namely, Chase DeLauter. DeLauter put up a 320 wRC+ in 13 spring training games last year, a 185 wRC+ in six games at Columbus and is currently rocking a 1.065 OPS in the Arizona Fall League. The former first-round draft pick for the Guardians still has a very unconventional swing which has several prospect evaluators doubting his ability to translate to the big leagues, but the Guardians seem to be taking an “If it Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It” philosophy with him. Aside from doubts about the swing, DeLauter has had a lot of trouble staying on the field, however, leading many to wonder if he might have to move to first base or DH. But, maybe the Guardians leave right-field as DeLauter’s position to win in Spring Training, with Jhonkensy “Big Christmas” Noel as the backup/lefty masher.
Additionally, Juan Brito had 19 games at Columbus in right-field and put up a 113 wRC+ as a 22 year old in Triple-A. As a switch-hitter, Brito isn’t really a lefty masher, however, with splits over the past two years of .815 against RHP and .782 vs. LHP. So, just a good hitter, which is kind of nice for a change, but hard to imagine he is ready to put up a 115 wRC+ in the big leagues or ready to play right-field there, either. But, I do hope he spends his time working on corner outfield spots this offseason and that he will get a real shot to make the Opening Day roster, if he is not traded at some point.
The Guardians could also, of course, try the Will Brennan/Jhonkensy Noel platoon again for a while as DeLauter and Brito continue to cook in Columbus, simultaneously monitoring the available options at the 2025 July trade deadline. This is not a popular option, I’m sure, as most of us are hoping for an improvement over Brennan’s slipshod defense from 2024 and his lackluster career 104 wRC+ vs RHP while being unplayable (20 wRC+) vs LHP. But, the Guardians know the cost to acquire a legit bat is often cheaper in a midseason trade than an offseason trade or signing.
With all that said, IF the Guardians look to upgrade at right-field in the months ahead before Opening Day, what possibilities are out there? Let’s take a look:
Pie in the Sky:
Brent Rooker, Athletics, RHH – 30 years old, under team control through 2027, 164 wRC+ in 2024 (142 wRC+ vs RHP 2022-2024)
Wilyer Abreu, Red Sox, LHH – 25 years old, under team control through 2029, 114 wRC+ in 2024 (130 wRC+ vs RHP 2023-2024) – 17 DRS in RF in 2024, 7 OAA
Anthony Santander, Free Agent, Switch-Hitter – 30 years old, 129 wRC+ in 2024 (119 wRC+ vs. RHP 2022-2024) – -7 DRS in 2024, 4/$80M (received qualifying offer so would also cost a signing team a high draft pick)
Analysis: I really have no idea why MLBTradeRumors listed Abreu as someone the Red Sox might trade, but if he is available, PLEASE EMPTY THE CLIP TO GET HIM. Gold Glove in Right-Field and crushes RHP. Yes, pelase. But, I can’t imagine that’s true. In the case of each of these other players, I don’t think the acquisition costs will fit in Cleveland’s budget. I think the Athletics will retain Rooker because he’s one of the few reasons anyone would come and watch them play, so it will take a huge overpay for some team to acquire him. I will note, however, he’s been fine in right-field defensively. So, sign me up for that bat if he is available for any kind of justified cost in prospects. Meanwhile, I think Santander and is too young and too talented not to get more money than what Cleveland will want to commit. However, I’m sure Cleveland will check in on everyone here to see if the market dips to their preferred salary range.
Realistic Options:
Joc Pederson, Free Agent, LHH – 32 years old, 151 wRC+ in 2024 (140 wRC+ vs RHP 2022-2024) – -5 DRS in RF in 2022-2024, projected for 2/$24M by MLBTradeRumors
Michael Conforto, Free Agent, LHH – 31 years old, 112 wRC+ in 2024 (105 wRC+ vs RHP 2022-2024), Projected for 2/$18M by MLBTradeRumors
Ian Happ, Cubs, Switch-Hitter – 30 years old, under contract two more years for $20M per year, 122 wRC+ in 2024 (126 wRC+ vs RHP 2022-2024)
Brendan Donovan, Cardinals, LHH – 27 years old, arb eligible through 2027 (127 wRC+ vs RHP 2022-2024)
Lars Nootbaar, Cardinals, LHH – 27 years old, arb eligible through 2027, 114 wRC+ in 2024 (120 wRC+ vs RHP 2022-2024)
Jesus Sanchez, Marlins, LHH – 27 years old, arb eligible through 2027, 100 wRC+ in 2024 (115 wRC+ vs RHP 2022-2024)
Taylor Ward, Angels, RHH – 30 years old, arb eligible through 2026, 111 wRC+ in 2024 (114 wRC+ vs RHP 2022-2024)
Mike Yastrzemski, Giants, LHH – 34 years old, under team control through 2025, 106 wRC+ (114 wRC+ vs RHP 2022-2024) – 5 DRS in RF in 2024
Josh Lowe, Rays, LHH – 26 years old, under team control through 2028, 98 wRC+ in 2024 (120 wRC+ vs RHP 2022-2024)
Seth Brown, Athletics, LHH – 32 years old, under team control through 2026, 91 wRC+ in 2024 (109 wRC+ vs RHP 2022-2024)
Analysis: There are a lot of interesting names in this category, but only two who are definitely available in Pederson and Conforto. Pederson really would solve a variety of problems on the Guardians, and, despite his tweet criticizing cheap ownership in baseball and including Cleveland, I doubt he has anything against coming here if the money is right. I’ve always liked Conforto, though he hasn’t consistently crushed lefties. He’s overall just a solid hitter when healthy, and I’d love the Guardians to give him what seems to be a very reasonable 2/$18M deal. Rumors are that the Cardinals are doing a little rebuild, so I’d definitely check in on Donovan (who is more of an infielder than an outfielder) and Nootbaar, but neither is going to come cheaply. Sanchez, Brown and Lowe are all pretty clear platoon players who would probably be available at the right price. Just not sure if any of the three are clear upgrades from in-house options. Happ, Ward and Yastrzemski are the proven vets on this list whom you’d always expect their respective clubs to be shopping but who always end up going nowhere, so far. Yaz Jr. is quite a good fielder and I don’t think it would cost much to acquire him, so I’d be interested in him to fill a gap until DeLauter shows he is ready. But, Ward and Happ have always been on the tops of my list of guys I’d want Cleveland to acquire. So, yes, sign me up for 2/$40M and Happ who is a guy you can bat 2nd in your order and not give another thought to, or for whatever prospect and relief pitcher package gets the Angels to move Ward, who I think could be a starting right-fielder and a #2 hitter with a change of scenery.
One More Go:
Mark Canha, Free Agent, RHH – 35 years old, 103 wRC+ in 2024 (111 wRC+ vs RHP 2022-2024)
David Peralta, Free Agent, LHH – 37 years old, 115 wRC+ in 2024 (103 wRC+ vs RHP 2022-2024), -4 OAA in 2024
Analysis: I like both of these players, but I don’t find it super likely Cleveland would bring either in except on a minor-league deal. Both do offer the kind of veteran leadership the Guardians love, however, so maybe there is a shot. Bringing Canha in as the main starter in RF is my preference between the two players, however.
As a note, if a player is a particular asset or liability in right-field, I’ve listed it above. For the most part, each of them are around average out there. If you want to know someone who has horrific right-field fielding numbers, it would be Lane Thomas, who is probably one of the few players who is better in center than right.
Summary: I can’t really bring myself to expect/hope that the Guardians will acquire any of these players. I think they’ll end up going with internal options and then upgrade midseason if need be. But, if it were up to me, I’d love a Pederson or Conforto signing, or a Happ or Ward trade aqcuisition most of the options listed here.