Guardians linked to signing Reds' .768 OPS outfielder in free agency originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cleveland Guardians still haven't figured out their outfield.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFor years and years, it's been a struggle out in the grass to find anyone who can hit the ball even a little bit.
In recent seasons, Steven Kwan has been the exception, but beyond him, it's been pretty much a wasteland.
That provides an opportunity each offseason in free agency to change that, although the Guardians aren't always looking to shell out big money.
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There may be a bargain opportunity out there this winter, though, in the form of former Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays.
Hays has been suggested as the Guardians' ideal signing in a new article by MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"Hays’ best seasons came between 2021 and ‘23 in Baltimore, but the 30-year-old had a solid year with the Reds in 2025," Feinsand writes. "His 15 home runs, 64 RBIs and .768 OPS in 103 games would have made him the leader in all three categories in the Guardians’ outfield, as Cleveland ranked last in the AL in outfield OPS (.629)."
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Everything about that last sentence sums up how depressing the Guardians' outfield has really been. It also captures the necessity of adding someone like Hays.
Cleveland has been rumored to think about trading Kwan away, too, which would have its own set of implications, not all of them good. But especially if that happens, they'll need to at least add someone like Hays to stay afloat.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnd for the good of the Guardians, it seems keeping Kwan while also signing Hays would be the best route to take.
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