The Guardians operate a little differently from your favorite team. A ragtag group of experts in one facet of the game that orbit around Jose Ramirez’s Hall-of-Fame career. It may be time for Cleveland to bite the financial bullet. Could any of these names end up in “The Forest City?”
Written By: AJ Stone (12/28/25)
(Pictured: Free Agent Outfielder Austin Hays)
Three Underrated Free Agents Cleveland Should be All Over
The game of baseball has gotten to know the Cleveland Guardians as a scrappy bunch that always seems to find a way to win a ballgame. Cleveland develops from within and has a constant pipeline of young MLB-ready talent that files straight into Progressive Field. Although the Guardians can always rely on their prospect pipeline and have a surplus of young hitters on the way, some supplemental moves in free agency could prove to be the difference for the 2025 AL Central champions. Here are a few suitable moves the Guardians could make that are well within their price range.
- Austin Hays (OF)
Hays quietly managed to have a very successful 2025 campaign in Cincinnati. A corner outfielder who possesses above-average offensive numbers against left-handed pitching and elite arm strength would slot in well to a Cleveland lineup that loves to play the platoon card. The Guardians are left-handed heavy on offense as of right now and could use some right-sided slug. Hays would provide exactly that, along with reliable defense in a corner outfield spot. Although he’s not the long-term solution fans might be hoping for, Hays makes the Guardians a better baseball team in 2026.
- Seranthony Dominguez (RP)
It’s like clockwork at this point that I find myself in awe of the projected Cleveland bullpen. A group littered with All-Star potential and swing and miss, closing out games should be the easiest part of 2026. It’s vastly impressive that the Guardians maintained their late-game heroics on the mound after the loss of an undisputed force to be reckoned with in Emmanuel Clase (Ongoing Investigation). The bullpen looks to be nearly set, but adding another piece that provides steady production with late-game potential would be a good fit for an otherwise young group of fireballing strikeout artists. Seranthony Dominguez provides strikeouts, consistency, experience, and a demeanor that would align with the rest of an unsullied bullpen. The Guardians could likely add him on a short-term deal and have plenty of room on their roster to accommodate the veteran right-hander.
- Willi Castro (UTL)
Willi Castro fits the Guardians’ needs in more ways than one (literally). A Swiss Army Knife player that provides defensive versatility, consistent quality at-bats, elite athleticism, and a high-floor that the Guardians love to capitalize on. Castro could serve as an alternative option to Bryan Rocchio and Gabriel Arias, who have been known to be streaky at times throughout their young careers. The stability of a veteran utility player on an otherwise inexperienced roster could prove to be essential for a Guardians team looking to replicate its 2025 success.
Conclusion
As fans, we all love to daydream about massive signings and big-name players. Truthfully, we all deserve only the best from the teams we invest our time, money, and undeviating attention into. However, remaining realistic is in everyone’s best interest, and the Guardians have yet to operate in the big market. The success that Cleveland has managed with its limited resources is nothing short of astounding. With a few new choreographed supporting cast members, expect to see the Guardians atop the AL Central once again in 2026.
StonesJournal 
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