The Cleveland Guardians have been unusually quiet this offseason - and that silence is starting to echo loudly around their clubhouse. At the center of it all is José Ramírez, the franchise cornerstone who’s been doing the heavy lifting for years.
But even a superstar like Ramírez can’t carry a lineup on his own. If Cleveland wants to be more than just a scrappy contender in the AL Central, they need to bring in some real offensive firepower.
And there’s a name still on the market that could fit that bill: Marcell Ozuna.
Ozuna isn’t new to the Guardians rumor mill. He’s been linked to the club before, and with spring training creeping closer, the fit might be better now than ever.
A short-term deal for a proven bat like Ozuna could give Cleveland exactly the kind of middle-of-the-order presence they’ve been missing. He’s not the five-tool phenom he once was, but when healthy, he still has legit pop - the kind that forces pitchers to think twice and gives Ramírez some much-needed protection.
Last season, Ozuna posted a .232/.355/.400 slash line, with 21 home runs and 68 RBI across 145 games. Those aren’t MVP numbers, but they’re far from empty production.
He still barrels the ball with authority, and his ability to draw walks adds value beyond just the long ball. The year before, he was in the MVP conversation - a reminder that the upside is still there if things click.
From a financial standpoint, this is the kind of move that makes sense for a team like Cleveland. Ozuna is reportedly projected to command just $27 million over two years - a manageable figure for a mid-market club that’s not looking to break the bank but still wants to stay competitive. That’s a modest price for a player who can hit 25-plus homers and slot right into the heart of the order.
And the timing couldn’t be better. With young talent like Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana waiting in the wings, the Guardians don’t need a long-term solution - they need a bridge.
Someone who can produce now while the next wave of talent matures. Ozuna fits that mold.
He’s a veteran presence with postseason experience, and he knows how to handle the grind of a full season.
New manager Stephen Vogt has a reputation for squeezing value out of every inch of the roster. He’s strategic, gritty, and understands how to win close games.
But even the best game-planner needs tools to work with, and right now, the Guardians’ lineup doesn’t have enough of them. Adding Ozuna would give Vogt another weapon - and give Ramírez a reason to believe that help is finally on the way.
If Cleveland wants to make a serious push for the division - and potentially more - this is the kind of move that gets them there. The pieces are already in place on the pitching side. Now it’s time to balance the scales and give this offense the jolt it’s been missing.