3 free agents the Guardians should use their José Ramírez savings on

Over the weekend the Guardians made a much-needed splash by agreeing to another contract extension with José Ramírez that will keep the franchise icon in Cleveland through the 2032 season. 

And while that extension is great for the Guardians’ long-term future, it should also serve as a stepping stone for some short-term additions thanks to Ramírez taking yet another hometown discount. 

So, with that in mind, here are three budget free agents who should jump to the top of the Guardians’ roster due to the money they saved on Ramírez’s extension. 

These three free agents would help the Guardians in 2026

OF Miguel Andujar

While Andujar isn’t the biggest name among the remaining free agents, he could still be extremely useful for the Guardials. 

Last year Andujar turned his career around by posting a .318/.352/.470 slashline with 10 home runs in 394 games with the Athletics and Reds. 

Those numbers were buoyed by a .359 batting average in 34 games for the Reds after the trade deadline while the Reds made their run toward the World Series. 

It may be hard to believe given how his career has gone, but Andujar was once a top-100 prospect who mashed 27 home runs in his rookie year to finish as runner-up in the American League Rookie of the Year voting behind Shohei Ohtani. 

Andujar will still likely have to settle for a one-year deal, which means that he should be right in the Guardians’ price range.

OF Harrison Bader 

Bader is arguably the best fit among the remaining free agents but he always seemed like a pipe dream for the Guardians due to the fact that he seems to be seeking a multi-year deal. 

Bader slashed 277/.347/.449 with 17 home runs and 54 RB in 146 games with the Twins and Phillies. It’s been his best year since 2021 with the Cardinals, though he did turn into Babe Ruth against the Guardians in the 2022 postseason. 

Not only would adding Bader would fill the Guardians’ long-standing black hole in center field, but it would give them a much-needed right-handed bat in their lefty-heavy lineup. That said, adding Bader would come at the expense of some of the team's  prospects. 

The Guardians haven’t added any position players to MLB contracts this offseason, but adding Bader to the fold would make up for that. 

OF Austin Hays 

If Bader is still too expensive for the Guardians’ front office, then Hays stands out as the next best option. Hays hit .266 with 15 home runs in 106 games last year and hit .319 against left-handed pitching last year, which is another clear hole on the Guardians roster. 

While Hays would also stand in the way of prospects like Chase DeLauter and George Valera, he’d likely be more open to a one-year contract and a platoon role. 

Hays hit .287 last year in the first half before the back half of his season was interrupted by a hamstring injury, but he’s still a quality player who would help solve some of Cleveland’s outfield problems. 

The Guardians had a historic platoon advantage last season, and Hays’ drastic splits make him the perfect player for that system (should that be the route they go down again in 2026). 

Hays won’t break the bank or screw up the roster dynamic. It’s time for the Guardians to go get him.