The Cleveland Guardians may not make a habit of shopping inside the AL Central, but Randal Grichuk could be the kind of exception that makes sense this winter.
Grichuk, who spent the 2026 season with the Chicago White Sox, is back on the market after one of the best bargain years in recent memory. Chicago signed him in May for $1.25 million after the Yankees released him, and he turned that modest deal into a huge payoff.
In 101 games with the White Sox, he hit .299 with a .598 slugging percentage, 15 home runs, 21 doubles and 44 RBIs. His .926 OPS and 154 OPS+ with Chicago would have stood out on Cleveland’s roster, and he finished the year with an .880 OPS and 1.5 WAR across 117 games.
That kind of production is exactly why he should be on Cleveland’s radar. The Guardians leaned heavily on left-handed bats such as Steven Kwan, Chase DeLauter, Travis Bazzana and Kyle Manzardo, and lefties gave the club trouble all season.
Grichuk has long handled southpaws well. From 2022 to 2024, he hit .317 with a .573 slugging percentage and 25 home runs against left-handed pitching in just under 500 plate appearances.
There’s a clear path to playing time, too. With Rhys Hoskins and Nathaniel Lowe both free agents, Cleveland has openings at designated hitter, and Grichuk could also slide into either corner outfield spot.
The money should not be a major obstacle. Grichuk turned 35 in August, and players at that age usually do not command long or expensive contracts. A one-year deal at a manageable salary would fit the Guardians’ budget.
Of course, there are reasons to be cautious. Grichuk struggled in 2025, posting a .674 OPS between Arizona and Kansas City, and he has generally been below average against right-handed pitching.
He also does not walk much, with only 11 walks in 280 plate appearances this season. For Cleveland, he would make the most sense in a platoon role rather than as an everyday answer.
Still, the resume is real. The Angels selected him in the first round in 2009, and he has spent 13 seasons with eight teams while hitting 227 home runs. He has also logged plenty of high-pressure moments, including games against Cleveland this October.
The Guardians do not need Grichuk to be a centerpiece. They need a right-handed hitter who can punish lefties without a big financial commitment. Grichuk fits that description, and landing him from a division rival would only add to the appeal.
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