Travis Bazzana has given the Guardians plenty to like since his MLB debut in late April. The recent All-Star selection has already put together a 110 wRC+ with seven home runs and 12 stolen bases, giving Cleveland a steady mix of power, speed and on-base production.
The problem is on the other side of the ball. Bazzana’s defense at second base has been a work in progress, and right now, he simply isn’t a good defensive player.
That showed up again Tuesday, when he committed a costly second-inning error that opened the door to several unearned runs. Statcast has him in the 36th percentile in Fielding Run Value, which sits below league average.
That shaky glove is what has some people wondering whether his long-term home might not be at second at all. On Tuesday, analysts Jonathan Peterlin and Nick Wilson floated the idea of a future move to the outfield, with 2027 in mind. They believe one of the corners could fit him.
“I think it’s gonna be Bazzana, (Khalil) Watson, and (Chase) DeLauter…that’s your outfield next year. Sign me up for that. This offseason’s gonna be him trying to find out if he can do it,” Peterlin said.
"I think it's gonna be Bazzana, Watson and DeLauter…that's your outfield next year. Sign me up for that. This offseason's gonna be him trying to find out if he can do it."
🚨 @JPeterlin and @NickWilsonSays on why Travis Bazzana's future might not be at 2B for the #Guardians pic.twitter.com/5okSc4NZDN
- 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) July 8, 2026
The idea comes with plenty of caveats. Watson still has a lot to prove, and there’s no guarantee the roster looks anything like this by 2027.
The looming lockout even leaves open the possibility that baseball might not be played in April. Still, Peterlin and Wilson think Bazzana could be hidden in left field, and that’s not an outlandish thought.
Cleveland, though, is not about to give up on him at second base. That remains his natural position, and there’s been no sign the Guardians are seriously considering a move. The outfield is crowded already, which only makes the conversation more theoretical for now.
For Bazzana to end up in the grass, he’d need to show he can handle the reads, route-running, instincts and arm required out there. That’s a lot to sort through, and a lot still has to happen before any change becomes real.
For now, it’s just a possibility. But it’s not a crazy one.
In Other News...
Guardians Fans May Not Love Where Stuart Fairchild Just Resurfaced
Stuart Fairchilds stop in Cleveland was brief, and his next landing spot already looks a little more promising. After being designated for assignment by the Guardians and then electing free agency, the outfielder has resurfaced in the Mariners organization, where he wasted little time making an impression in the Arizona Complex League by homering in his first game.
For Guardians fans, the more frustrating part may be the timing. Fairchild never found much traction during his stint in Cleveland, but Seattles rash of outfield injuries could give him a clearer path upward if he keeps producing. It is the kind of roster turn that can make a short-lived move look a lot more consequential in hindsight. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Trade Deadline Wish List Just Got A Lot More Real
The Guardians search for a lineup boost is starting to feel a lot less theoretical as the trade deadline approaches. Cleveland has been linked to outfield help, and the names surfacing fit the kind of swing the front office has been chasing - a player with real power and another who could bring longer-term value without forcing the club to empty the cupboard.
Mickey Moniak and Garrett Mitchell each offer something different, which is part of what makes the situation worth watching. Moniak brings the appeal of a bat that has flashed big slugging production and a contract situation that would make him more of a short-term add, while Mitchell would be a tougher pull from a contending Brewers club but comes with years of control attached. With the AL Central and Wild Card races both tightening, Clevelands deadline plan may come down to how aggressively it wants to push for help now versus protecting what comes next. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians May Be Running Out Of Time With Kody Huff
The Guardians have already leaned heavily on their player pipeline this season, bringing nine players to the majors before the All-Star break, and that kind of churn has only sharpened the focus on who might be next. Kody Huff has put himself into that conversation with a breakout offensive year, hitting .272/.384/.498 with 14 doubles and 11 home runs, while also showing he can handle more than one spot on the field.
Acquired from the Rockies in 2023, Huff has expanded beyond catcher and given Cleveland a look at him at first base and third base as well. That versatility matters for a club that has been willing to move prospects quickly when the roster calls for it, and it leaves the Guardians with a decision to make on how soon they want to test him at the highest level. [Read more 🡒]