5 perfect Guardians free agent targets based on MLB’s latest buzz

Keeping track of every player available in MLB free agency can be a dizzying task. While there are plenty of top-tier free agents like Kyle Tucker or Pete Alonso who are well-known commodities, there are also plenty of free agents who are a bit more unknown. 

Luckily for us, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand streamlined the information gathering process earlier this week by putting out a five-tiered look at this year’s free agent class. 

With that in mind, we took a look at the list and picked one player from each tier who would be a perfect fit for the Guardians. 

These free agents would be perfect fits for the Guardians. 

Tier 1: Kyle Schwarber

Yeah, we can’t see a world where this happens either. But that doesn’t mean we can’t dream. 

Schwarber is coming off a season where he led the National League with 56 home runs along with having an MLB-leading 132 RBI. He’s a full-time designated hitter at this point but has game-changing power and has turned into a clubhouse leader in Philadelphia. 

Schwarber is a favorite of both Phillies managing partner John Middleton and president Dave Dombrowski, so the other 29 teams in baseball will have their work cut out for them. While it’s fun to imagine Schwarber at the top of the Guardians’ lineup, this one isn’t happening. 

Tier 2: Munetaka Murakami, 1B/3B

The 25-year-old Murakami is heading to MLB after eight productive seasons in Nippon Professional baseball. He set the league’s single-season home run record in 2022 (56), but also has some gaudy strikeout numbers and is a marginal fielder at best. 

He wouldn’t be a perfect fit on the Guardians since José Ramírez is obviously entrenched at third base, but he’d bring some much-needed power to the Guardians’ lineup. 

This one is also hard to imagine given the amount he’s likely seeking in free agency and the Guardians’ lack of in-roads in Japan, but weirder things have happened. 

Tier 3: Harrison Bader

Now we’re talking. While Bader obviously isn’t on the same level as Schwarber, he’s a talented player who would fill an obvious hole on Cleveland’s roster. 

He put together a career year in 2025 when he posted a .796 OPS with 17 home runs and 54 RBI with the Twins and Phillies while also finishing in the 92nd percentile in Outs Above Average. 

The 32-year-old Bader is likely seeking a multi-year deal after that strong season, and would be an affordable option who could help solve the Guardians’ long-standing problem in center field. 

Yes, there are flashier players available than Bader, but he’s the perfect “style over substance” signing. 

An honorable mention to Luis Arráez, who was also ranked in this tier and could be a valuable addition thanks to his unparalleled contact skills. 

Tier 4: Jakob Junis

The Guardians brought Junis in last year on a one-year, $4.5 million deal and he answered the call to the tune of a 2.97 ERA in 59 games. 

While Feinsand has plenty of intriguing pitchers in this tier, a reunion with Junis makes a ton of sense. Stephen Vogt clearly trusts him given that he made the fourth-most appearances on the Guardians last season, and he succeeded in whatever role he was used in. 

Junis will likely cost more than he did last season, but it would be a worthwhile investment. 

Tier 5: Austin Hays 

Hays had some moderate success with the Reds last season, and would be a solid platoon/bench option for the Guardians in 2026. 

Chase DeLauter and Geroge Valera should provide the Guardians with some much-needed power from their outfield next season, but having Hays in the fold would provide Cleveland with a valuable insurance option. And he’d be cheap.