Three potential offseason targets for the Cleveland Guardians

Cleveland's moves at the trade deadline (trading away Josh Bell and acquiring Noah Syndergaard) and their aggressive efforts when teams placed veterans on waivers (claiming Lucas Giolito, Matt Moore and Reynaldo Lopez) have left a talented roster likely on the outside once the playoffs begin. Once again, the Guardians front office will face an offseason looking to change that fate. Here are some players the club should look at.

Manuel Margot, CF, Tampa Bay Rays

Myles Straw signed an extension with the Guardians that will keep him with the team at least through the 2026 season (plus two team options). He won a Gold Glove in center field last season but has never been a real threat at the plate, posting a .242/.315/.306 line for his career. Steven Kwan doesn't have the contract security to match Straw, but his performance has been far superior at the plate. Right field for the Guardians is less certain. 

Primarily a center fielder with the Rays, Margot has the versatility to provide depth at all three outfield spots in Cleveland. A .254/.308/.383 hitter over his eight-year career, Margot will be 29 in September. Due $10M next season (plus a $2M buyout on a team option for 2025), the Rays could put Margot on the trade block this offseason.

Mitch Garver, C, Texas Rangers

Cleveland has cycled through a number of players behind the plate in recent years and while Bo Naylor may be the club's future, they don't appear in a rush to hand him the starting role every day. His presence shouldn't keep the team from adding a reliable veteran piece to help share the load. Garver held a similar role in Texas before Jonah Heim emerged and took over the bulk of the playing time. 

Garver is a .254/.344/.489 hitter over his seven-year career with the Twins and Rangers. The right-handed hitter has some sneaky power, totaling 80 home runs in that stretch with a career high 31 back in 2019.  

Jordan Montgomery, LHP, Texas Rangers

Cleveland's projected rotation next year holds a lot of promise but also remains highly inexperienced. Shane Bieber will likely return and there is optimism Triston McKenzie will be healthy again. The rest of the rotation consists of well-regarded prospects who are still unproven. Adding another veteran to help Bieber front the rotation could be significant in the AL Central. 

Montgomery has been remarkably consistent over the last three years, averaging 30 starts with an ERA under 4.00, but often goes overlooked in broader discussions about the top pitchers in the league. While clubs are focused on the premier tier of free agent starters, a team like the Guardians could sneak in and sign him to a deal to bolster their rotation.