The Cleveland Guardians have multiple routes they can take to upgrade their roster for next season.
A trade is an option, but that would involve giving up prospect capital. Free agency is always a possibility, but Cleveland’s front office isn’t always keen on dishing out big bucks on the open market.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat said, there’s one player that keeps emerging as a possible free agent target for the Guardians, and wouldn’t break the bank on a one or two-year deal: Austin Hays.
I’ve discussed on multiple occasions this offseason about why the Guardians should be going after Hays, and Mark Feinsand of MLB.com also thinks the veteran outfielder is a “perfect free agent match” for Cleveland.
In the MLB Insider’s most recent article, he matched Hays and the Guardians as a fit for one another this winter and into the 2026 season.
“Hays’ best seasons came between 2021 and ‘23 in Baltimore, but the 30-year-old had a solid year with the Reds in 2025. 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),” wrote Feindsand.
May 19, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Reds left fielder Austin Hays (12) hits an RBI single against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesIt is slightly concerning that Hays would have led all Cleveland outfielders in home runs, OPS, and RBI, but that fact alone shows why he would be such a good addition for the Guardians to make this winter.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEvery time a fan or analyst mentions the veteran’s possible fit with the Guardians, the more sense it makes for Cleveland to heavily pursue him in free agency. However, there’s more to what the insider mentions in his
What Feinsand doesn’t bring up is how good a hitter Hays is against left-handed pitching, and how badly Cleveland needs help in that department. The Guardians had an OPS of .647 against southpaws in 2025, yet Hays had an OPS of .949 against southpaws alone.
Bringing in Hays simply to platoon with the young core of Chase DeLauter, George Valera, and CJ Kayfus would immediately make the Guardians a better overall team for next year.
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