The Cleveland Guardians wrapped up their 2025 campaign with back-to-back AL Central titles - a clear sign of a team trending in the right direction. But even with the division crown in hand, the roster wasn’t without its weak spots. Chief among them: the outfield.
That unit became such a concern that Cleveland’s front office made the bold move to call up top prospect Chase DeLauter, despite the fact that he hadn’t logged a single inning in the big leagues. It was a high-upside, high-risk play - and it spoke volumes about how dire the outfield situation had become.
Now, fast forward to this offseason. The Guardians have largely stayed quiet on the outfield front, choosing to bank on internal growth rather than dipping into the free agent pool. That strategy has its merits, especially with DeLauter in the mix, but it also meant passing on some intriguing options - including one that felt tailor-made for their needs: Miguel Andújar.
The Padres scooped up Andújar on a one-year deal last week, adding a versatile bat who’s shown he can still produce when given the chance. And for a Guardians team that struggled mightily against left-handed pitching last year, that’s a tough miss.
Andújar’s journey has been anything but linear. Back in 2018, it looked like the Yankees had found a cornerstone piece.
He hit .297 with 27 home runs and 92 RBIs over 149 games, finishing second to Shohei Ohtani in AL Rookie of the Year voting. But injuries derailed his trajectory, and by the time he was healthy again in 2022, the Yankees had moved on.
After brief stints with the Pirates and Athletics, Andújar found new life with the Reds late last season. In just 34 games, he slashed .359/.400/.544, adding four home runs and 17 RBIs during Cincinnati’s late push for a Wild Card spot.
He didn’t just hit - he made an impact. And he did most of his damage against lefties, batting .389 in 93 plate appearances, which just so happens to be an area Cleveland desperately needed to improve.
The Guardians' current outfield mix leans heavily left-handed - DeLauter, George Valera, Nolan Jones, and Steven Kwan all swing from that side. Andújar, a right-handed bat with pop and positional flexibility, could’ve provided a natural platoon fit. He wouldn’t have needed to be an everyday starter to make a difference - just a reliable option to balance out the lineup and give them a different look against tough southpaws.
Instead, he’s heading to San Diego on a $4 million deal that includes a $1.5 million salary for 2027. The Padres are expected to use him more in the infield - the position where his career began - but his bat was the real selling point. And for Cleveland, that kind of production at that price point feels like a missed opportunity.
To be clear, the Guardians still have plenty of upside in their outfield - and if DeLauter continues to develop, he could be a long-term answer. But the margin for error is slim. With Andújar now off the board, the pressure ratchets up on the young core to not just hold the line, but to elevate it.
Cleveland’s bet is on continuity and internal growth. But as the 2026 season approaches, it’s fair to wonder if a little outside help - especially in the form of a proven right-handed bat - might’ve made that bet a bit safer.