4 reasons the Cleveland Guardians should sign outfielder Seiya Suzuki

3. It sets the tone for the Guardians era

Cleveland’s front office has made it clear that the team intends to spend money this offseason as it works its way up to a higher payroll over the next few years, assuming the team begins to make its mark as a potential contender.

While some of that money will likely go to retaining existing players (and extending guys like Ramirez or Franmil Reyes if we’re lucky), there is, uh, clearly plenty of room for the Guardians to look outside the organization. While there could very well be a trade on the horizon for this team after the lockout, the Guardians aren’t priced out of every free agent, despite what some people on social media might tell you.

A signing like Suzuki would go a long way to helping the Guardians change the public perception of the team and to get a considerable amount of buy-in from a cranky fan base that is now going to be even crankier after this work stoppage. If Cleveland really wants to turn the page as an organization and leave the past in the dust to some extent, this would be one big way to do it.