The Guardians got real production out of Jo Adell after bringing him in on deadline day, but his future in Cleveland is suddenly a question.
Adell gave the team the kind of jolt they were looking for. They wanted an outfielder who could handle lefties and bring some pop to the heart of the order, and for the most part, he did exactly that.
In 48 games with Cleveland, he hit .244/.324/.417 with seven home runs, 32 RBI and a 107 wRC+. He also added 10 doubles.
The postseason was a different story. Adell struggled there, striking out 32.6 percent of the time and posting a 69 wRC+, though he still drove in eight runs over 11 games.
His biggest selling point showed up in the regular season, where he was especially dangerous against left-handed pitching. Between the Angels and Guardians, Adell posted a .971 OPS versus lefties. That was the kind of performance Cleveland had in mind when it made the move.
Even with that fit, MLB Trade Rumors has Adell projected to jump from $5.2 million in 2026 to $9.6 million in his final arbitration season before free agency. That kind of price tag could make the Guardians think twice about committing nearly $10 million to a player who is most valuable in one specific split.
Adell clearly made an impression in the clubhouse and on the field. He fit in with the Guardians and their culture from Day 1, and he became a meaningful part of what they did this season. Still, with the possibility of another major arbitration bump looming for Steven Kwan as well - his projected salary is $11.3 million - Cleveland could be staring at a tough decision.
The money is reasonable for a typical contender, but the Guardians do business differently, which is why a non-tender can’t be ruled out. Even with Adell’s strong fit and solid production, his case is complicated by the fact that he has not yet reached a full Win Above Replacement in parts of seven major league seasons.
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Guardians Bullpen Depth Just Took A Hit Fans Should Notice
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For a team that always has to think a step ahead with its relief corps, losing two depth arms at once is the kind of small offseason wrinkle worth watching. The Guardians could still circle back and try to bring either pitcher back later in the winter, but for now the bullpen depth chart has a little less certainty than it did a day ago. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Already Have Tough Calls Waiting In Free Agency
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Guardians Offseason Pitching Plan Is Starting To Come Into Focus
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Two names stand out in that conversation: JoJo Romero and Kris Bubic. Romero brings the profile of a left-handed reliever whose recent postseason work only boosts his appeal, while Bubic offers a different kind of fit with experience both starting and pitching out of the bullpen, even if health questions are part of the evaluation. For the Guardians, the challenge now is deciding which type of help best matches the roster they want to build for another run. [Read more 🡒]