Rating 8 free-agent outfielders tied to 2022 Cleveland Guardians

No way Cleveland Guardians can get him

OF Jesse Winker:  Back in the good ole’ days of 2018, Winker was thrown about as a trade candidate between the Reds and Indians. Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s any chance Winker is in the Guards’ price range. He’s on a short, short list of guys who hit .300 (.305) and he hit for power.  He does carry injury concerns.

OF Michael Conforto: This one seems to make sense because Conforto should be a viable option–in terms of cash. The Guards should be able to afford him after a down season in 2021, in which he hit .232 (.729 OPS) last season, while posting a 0.8 WAR.

On the downside, the Mets made a qualifying offer to him, which means Cleveland would have to give up a draft pick to sign him. I don’t see it. Not with this fiscally conservative front office.

That said, the higher-ups can’t waste this rotation. They’ve got to do something and it would be interesting to see if Conforto can get back to form out of a Mets’ uniform.