Angel Martínez’s bat has earned him a regular place in the Guardians’ outfield mix. His glove, though, has pushed Cleveland into a messy center-field shuffle.
That tension is what’s kept Petey Halpin in the lineup more than the Guardians probably planned. Halpin’s Aug. 21 blast - a 422-foot homer in Cleveland’s eventual 9-1 win over the Rockies - looked like the kind of moment that could give him real momentum while he was seeing extended run because of the club’s thin center-field depth.
Instead, the production has gone quiet. Entering Monday, Halpin had hit just .150/.227/.150 over 13 games since that home run.
Under normal circumstances, that kind of stretch would put an optionable player on shaky ground for a team trying to stay in the postseason race. Cleveland hasn’t really had that luxury. Martínez’s inability to handle center has forced the Guardians to keep leaning on Halpin there, even if the fit is far from ideal.
The Guardians have made the smarter long-term choice with Martínez by moving him into a corner role full time. That makes sense on the numbers, too: he’s been worth +2 Outs Above Average in the outfield this season after posting -9 DRS in center field last year.
And whatever his defensive limitations, the bat matters. Martínez leads the Guardians with 14 home runs in just 101 games, which is enough pop to keep him in the everyday conversation.
But every time Martínez is in the lineup, somebody else has to cover center, and that usually means Halpin.
Steven Kwan has logged more center-field time this season than at any other point in his career, but Cleveland’s lineup is at its best when he’s in left. The problem is the numbers game. The Guardians keep ending up with four outfielders fighting for three spots, with Kwan and Martínez sharing the picture alongside Jo Adell and Chase DeLauter.
DeLauter’s wrist injury has delayed the issue for now, but not solved it. He hasn’t played center field since doing it twice during last postseason, and the Guardians don’t appear eager to revisit that option. Adell, meanwhile, has mostly graded out as a negative center fielder over the course of his career.
That leaves Halpin, whose value is tied to speed and defense. His arm is a real weapon - 95.8 miles per hour - and his sprint speed sits in the 81st percentile.
The catch is the bat. In 160 career games, he owns a .257 on-base percentage.
He looks more like a fourth outfielder than an everyday answer, but Cleveland’s roster construction has pushed him into more action than that. With a group of outfielders that includes real production and real limitations, the Guardians are going to have to keep squeezing every bit of value out of the alignment.
In Other News...
Browns Star Denzel Ward Just Sent A Big Message About Guardians Future
Denzel Ward is adding a new Cleveland hat to his collection. The Browns cornerback has bought a minority ownership stake in the Guardians, putting him alongside fellow NFL player Travis Kelce in a group that continues to grow as the franchise works through an ownership transition. For Ward, a Cleveland native, the move ties one of the citys most recognizable athletes even more closely to the baseball team.
The timing makes it notable, too, with David Blitzer set to take over controlling interest after the 2027 season. Ward said he is proud to be part of the organization, and the Guardians plan to honor him at Progressive Field, a fitting nod for a player whose connection to the city has always felt bigger than football alone. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Add Another Cleveland Star At The Perfect Time
Denzel Ward is getting involved with another Cleveland institution at a moment when the Guardians are trying to keep their momentum rolling on and off the field. The Browns cornerback, an Ohio native and five-time Pro Bowl selection, has joined the club as a minority investor, adding another hometown name to an ownership group led by Paul Dolan and David Blitzer.
Ward now pairs with future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce in that group, giving the Guardians another high-profile local connection as they continue building around the citys identity. Ward said he is grateful for the chance to contribute to the community in this new role, a small but notable reminder of how tightly Clevelands sports scene continues to overlap. [Read more 🡒]
Tanner Bibee Is Suddenly Putting Clevelands October Plans Under Pressure
Tanner Bibees recent September starts have added an unwelcome layer of concern to a Guardians rotation that was supposed to steady the club for the stretch run. After getting early run support, Bibee has had trouble sustaining his effectiveness deep into games, and over two outings he has given up 10 earned runs in just over eight innings. For a team trying to sort out its October path, that kind of dip from one of its most important starters lands at exactly the wrong time.
The Guardians now have to weigh not just results, but how to manage Bibee as the postseason approaches, with fatigue and mechanical issues both in the conversation. His next start carries extra weight because Cleveland needs to know whether this is a short-term stumble or something more persistent heading into the most important part of the year. [Read more 🡒]