Guards identified as a free agent fit for an elite forward

The Cleveland Rangers enter the offseason with several questions that need to be answered, even after an ALCS appearance to close out the 2024 season.

One of those unknowns is figuring out how they will anchor their offense with a legal top bat and a power threat in the middle of the lineup. There is one option on the free agent market Baltimore Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander.

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand ranked Santander became the sixth-best free agent and deemed the Guardians suitable to sign the 30-year-old Slugger.

“Santander has been a solid player for several years, but he chose the right moment to have the best season of his career. Santander, who made his first All-Star appearance this year, set career highs with 44 home runs and 102 RBIs, and his . His 814 OPS was his highest in a 162-game season. Even though he’s destined for the Orioles, Santander will likely finish his career elsewhere because Baltimore has plenty of young outfield talent and many clubs will be looking for a strong corner. outfielder,” Feinsand wrote.

Santander would be a dream addition for the Guardians, and it would also be a homecoming for the slugger, who Cleveland originally signed as an international free agent in 2011. He would bring a ton of touch and power to a Guardians squad that desperately needs more It. Santander would also finally be the answer to Cleveland’s right field issues that have dominated their offseason questions for the past few seasons.

As with many high-upside players, Santander does pose a hit-and-miss risk, as he ranked in the 16th percentile in chase rate last season. However, this is a risk Cleveland should be willing to take in order to get more pop in their lineup.

Santander will not be cheap and will likely ask any organization interested in it for a lucrative deal. However, the Guardians are in a position where they should feel comfortable spending some money to solidify their position as a legitimate World Series contender.