One More Move the Guardians Should Make

Does Steven Kwan Know Something?

Spring Training is right around the corner - do the Cleveland Guardians have one move left in them?

Recently, on Corey Kluber’s podcast, outfielder Steven Kwan indicated that he thinks the Cleveland Guardians’ front office has at least one more move left in them, as caught by Twitter user @FranmilsEyebrows:

Obviously, Kwan could be just speculating. But, it’s more fun to think that he’s had some indication that the team executives aren’t done with the 2025 roster. So, let’s take a look at some potential moves that could be made by the Guardians in the next couple weeks or so, ranked by which I think would most help the team’s chances in the upcoming season:

1. Trade with St. Louis for Lars Nootbaar

Analysis: The best option to acquire is, of course, the one that would require the most capital. Nootbaar has a 121 wRC+ against RHP over the past two years, is under team control through 2027, is viable in left, center or right fields, and has an overall wRC+ of 116 for his major league career. To acquire Nootbaar probably costs Cleveland Chase DeLauter and a one of their teenage pitching prospects. But, I’d be in on it to push some chips in and try to help Jose Ramirez win a World Series and the franchise break their 76 year drought.

2. Trade with Tampa Bay for Brandon Lowe

Analysis: With the signing of Ha-Seong Kim, the Rays have the depth to move their second baseman, who is also capable of playing a corner outfield spot. Lowe has a 124 wRC+ against RHP over the past two years and when he is healthy, he is a middle of the order bat. Whether Cleveland had him play second or right, he could get regular rest days against LHP while the team allowed players like Tyler Freeman, Gabriel Arias, Jhonkensy Noel or Juan Brito to spell him. Lowe is owed $10.5 million for this season with an $11 million club option for 2026. Trading with the Rays is dangerous, but the teams regularly do it; the Guardians’ farm system is deep enough to sustain this acquisition cost and the contract Lowe is owed would bring the team up to just slightly above last season’s payroll, pacifying justifiably outraged fans seeing the team cut payroll following an ALCS run.

3. Trade with Seattle for Luke Raley

Analysis: Again, the Mariners have depth where they can consider trading their platoon outfielder who has a 137 wRC+ against RHP over the past two years (only 67 wRC+ vs LHP for his career). Raley is older, 30, and under team control through 2028. Give Seattle a young bat they like (CJ Kayfus, Juan Brito, maybe even Angel Genao) and solve your issues against RHP in right-field for the next three years. I’m in if you are, Jerry DiPoto.

4. Trade with Tampa Bay for Josh Lowe

Analsis: Again, the Rays’ depth makes it possible to target another Lowe, one younger (27) with more team control (through 2028) and so likely more expensive to acquire, with a career 121 wRC+ vs RHP. However, Lowe’s 54 wRC+ against LHP for his career makes it clear he is a platoon option, so it should be possible to put together a package for him without touching a top 6 Guardians’ prospect... if the Rays are interested.

5. Trade with San Francisco for Mike Yastrzemski

Analysis: Yastrzemski is a one-year rental who is 34 years old and the Giants have a variety of interesting young, left-handed outfield prospects, so, theoretically, it should be possible for the Guardians to shake Yastrzemski loose. Maybe there is a deal to be done around Ben Lively and a prospect, or Triston McKenzie. But, if the Guardians want Yaz’s 119 wRC+ against RHP for his career and good right-field defense, it should be possible to revisit a trade with a team in the Giants with whom they have connected a couple times over recent seasons.

6. Trade with Miami for Jesus Sanchez

Analysis: Theoretically, ANYONE on the Marlins should be available for the right price given their circumstances. Under team control through 2027, Sanchez has a career 112 wRC+ vs RHP and 42 wRC+ vs LHP. Part of the bet here would be that getting Sanchez out of Miami could help him get to new heights, especially as a strictly platoon bat in right field. The prospect return should focus on guys further away from the majors, so I think if the Guardians WANT Sanchez, it should be possible to get him. Not sure they do, as he seems like a slight improvement over Will Brennan at most. But, it’s an option to consider.

7. Sign Nick Pivetta in Free Agency

Analysis: Pivetta received the qualifying offer, so the Guardians would be giving up a comp pick, and they seem reluctant to do that. But, here we are, about to enter Spring Training and a 31 year old projected for 2-2.5 fWAR, 160 innings of an ERA around 4 could come to Cleveland and get the best pitching instruction of his life, perhaps helping reaching more of the potential seen in his 108 Stuff+ metrics from last season. I think a pillow-contract in the range of $18 million plus incentives could be on the table here, and I’d love to see the Guardians pounce.

8. Sign Jose Quintana in Free Agency

Analysis: At this point, it is fair to question whether the opportunity cost in not seeing what someone like Lively, McKenzie or Joey Cantillo can provide is worth it in signing a 36 year old projected for an ERA around 4.35. Quintana did have a good season last year with a 3.75 ERA and 170 innings, but is that an indication of further excellence or an outlier? The bottom line for me is that if there is a value opportunity to extend the depth of this rotation, the Guardians should explore it, given the number of unproven values they are currently counting on.

9. Sign Andrew Heaney in Free Agency

Analysis: Similar to Quintana, it’s fair to question if 33 year-old Heaney and his projected 4.50 ERA in 150 innings meaningfully improves the roster. Perhaps not, but, again, there likely is a price point where the value of that additional veteran depth makes sense.

10. Trade with the Dodgers for James Outman

Analysis: The Dodgers are somehow fitting 50 players on their 26-man, seemingly, so it should theoretically be possible to pry a player like Outman away from them, perhaps in exchange for a bullpen piece. Outman is 27 with six years of team control yet and a 115 wRC+ against RHP in the bigs, so far. There is a fair amount of risk in his hitting profile because of his swing-and-miss, but he looks viable defensively in all three-outfield spots. If the Guardians like what they see here, a deal should be possible.

Bottom Line: I’m still not convinced the Guardians are going to do anything much until July of this year, and some of these names may be under consideration then. BUT, if Kwan knows something, maybe they have a trade in the works to be unveiled soon. We will find out together!