5 blockbuster moves the Guardians must make post MLB Winter Meetings 2024 ft. Sign Roki Sasaki
The Cleveland Guardians made it to the ALCS and had a resurgent year after missing the playoffs in 2023. They took back the AL Central crown, but they face steep competition next year with two playoff teams and another that narrowly missed it. To retain their crown and perhaps make it even further, here are five offseason moves they should consider.
5 moves the Guardians should make
5) Trade Josh Naylor
The Guardians are shedding payroll this offseason, and Josh Naylor is their fourth-highest-paid player. He is also on an expiring contract now, so he would be a good rental for a contending team that needs a first baseman. The New York Yankees come to mind. It would be a chance for Cleveland to get cheaper and restock its farm system.
4) Sign Patrick Sandoval
The Guardians need starting pitching depth badly. They have a shorthanded rotation right now, and Patrick Sandoval would be a perfect fit. He accumulated 3.5 fWAR over the last two seasons with the LA Angels.
At just 28, Sandoval has the potential to develop with Cleveland's top-notch pitching coaching. He would also be a candidate for a cheap, multi-year deal. That is smart business for the Guardians, who learned last year that they can't be overreliant on the bullpen.
3) Sign Max Kepler
Max Kepler would be a solid depth addition in the outfield for the Guardians. He's 32, which is younger than a lot of the other corner outfield players they might be interested in. He won't cost a ton after posting 3.8 fWAR over the last two seasons, but he plays good defense, which fits well in Cleveland.
Kepler has a capable bat that has, at times, been rather homer-prone. He could be a stellar platoon player for a manager in Stephen Vogt, who loves to platoon hitters.
2) Sign Roki Sasaki
Roki Sasaki is still more than likely heading to the LA Dodgers, but the Guardians make a lot of sense. Sasaki has complained about the Japanese media, and the Cleveland media wouldn't be as painful to play under.
Plus, the Guardians currently only have four starting pitchers on the roster. That includes Shane Bieber, who is coming off a season-ending injury. Sasaki, because of his age when posting, won't cost much, either.
1) Sign Gleyber Torres
Gleyber Torres is suddenly a pretty big need for the Guardians. They traded away Gold Glove second baseman Andres Gimenez, so there's a void there. Torres would be cheap and an upgrade with the bat.
He would be a downgrade, and a rather significant one, in the field, but the rest of the Guardians' infield should be able to offset his shortcomings. Torres won't cost a lot, and he's still young, making it a good move for Cleveland.