The Cleveland Guardians said they were going to spend when the lockout ended, and with free agency about to hit a mad rush ,it’s time for the front office to ante up.
Nobody expects the organization to spend like the Yankees, but the hope is they’ll shell out a little money.
Currently, the Guardians payroll is hovering around $50 million–one of the lowest figures in the game. They ahead of just the lowly Orioles and Pirates.
Every team is going to condense a five-month offseason into two weeks, and the pressure is really on the Guardians to do so. Currently, the 40-man roster has 14 players with no major-league experience.
Chris Anontetti and Mike Chernoff could always swing a trade, but there really is room for a couple of signings.
With that in mind, here’s three veteran free-agents the Guardians should rush to sign.
1. Cleveland Guardians should target Josh Harrison INF/OF
The Cleveland Guardians love versatility, and that’s Cincinnati native Josh Harrison. He’s played mostly infield–every position except first base–and he owns an outfielder’s glove as well.
He reportedly had some offers before the lockout, but never signed. Interest didn’t seem to be that high in him before the 2021 season and he ended up signing $1 million deal with the Nationals.
Translation: He’s in the Guardians’ pay range.
He’s one of those players you’d love to have on your side in close games. He’s experience and can still handle the bat. He hit .279 last season while carrying a .341 on-base percentage.
You’d probably want him playing infield and the Guards happen to have a glut of middle infielders in their pipeline. That said, I’m not sure who’s ready to roll from day one. There’s lots of question marks at second and short. Can Andres Gimenez hold short? Will Amed Rosario move to the outfield.
Signing Harrison gives Terry Francona options and he’s going to be a tough out for opposing pitchers.
2. Cleveland Guardians should target Andrew McCutchen
Signing Andrew McCuthchen would’ve been front-page news 10 years ago. He’s accumulated a lot of Major League miles, but even at 35 and with his injury history, he’s still an everyday player, and the Guardians happen to need a corner outfielder.
Cutch played 144 games last season and still hit 27 homers and drove in 80 runs. He’d give the Guardians two outfielder starters Terry Francona could pencil in every day.
He’s not going to take one of those minor-league offers the Guards love to give guys who are past their primes, but he’s still singable, especially if Cleveland holds up to its bargain that it’s going to spend some money.
Like Harrison, Cutch is a credible bat and a tough out. He still hits lefties extremely well, batting .293 with a 1.027 OPS last season.
3. Cleveland Guardians should target Tommy Pham, OF
Another veteran at 33 years old, Tommy Pham can still play and should be singable.
Same deal as Cutch: Francona can plug him into left field, playing next to Myles Straw to give some stability to the outfield.
He played 155 games last season and was a 1.4 WAR player. Like Harrison, he gets on base, posting a .340 mark.
Pham also possesses a little pop, hitting 15 home runs while adding 14 stolen bases.
While I’d play him in the outfield, the Guards can try him at first base, a position Pham said he’d be open to playing.
The Guards have Bobby Bradley and Josh Naylor as options there, but it remains to be seen who will grab a hold of the position in time for Opening Day.