Guardians could net Brayan Rocchio replacement in international free agency

Free agency is always a bit of a trick bag for the Guardians. While they’re almost never in on some of the marquee free agents, they always seem to have a decent amount of roster turnover thanks to some discount signings and moves made on the margins. 

And although this year’s free agent class features plenty of free agents who will likely be out of the Guardians’ price range, one free agent to keep an eye on is South Korean infielder Sung-Mun Song, who could be available to teams this winter after a strong career in the KBO. 

Guardians could net Brayan Rocchio replacement in international free agency

If Song is indeed posted this winter (he asked the Kiwoom Heroes to post him this winter and his agent has also started to publicly advocate for his posting), he should be at the top of the Guardians’ free agency big board. 

Although he’s 29, he’s found a new level in the KBO, as he posted a .340 batting average last year with 104 RBI and is hitting .317 this year with 24 home runs and 78 RBI. He also has walked 63 times and stolen 22 bases. 

And, perhaps most importantly for the Guardians, he can play second, first and third base. While they wouldn’t need him at third base, he could be the perfect option for them at second base or as a depth option at first or third. 

Another thing working in the Guardians’ favor could be his depressed free agent market. 

As MLB Trade Rumors’ Darragh McDonald pointed out, a potential Song contract would probably look similar to the four-year, $28 million contract Ha-Seong Kim signed with the Padres when he left the KBO (he also played for the Heroes) given their similar production and ages prior to heading to MLB. 

While he wouldn’t be the perfect long-term fit given the presence of prospects like Travis Bazzana and Juan Brito, he’d be able to slot in and provide the Guardians with a ready-made reinforcement who could handle both a starting position and/or depth role. 

It could also help the Guardians figure out their middle infield logjam. Gabriel Arias has always wowed scouts and evaluators with his tools and talent, but he’s never been able to put it all together. The same can be said for Brayan Rocchio, who has looked better since moving to second base but still hasn’t shown the kind of talent that made him one of Cleveland’s top prospects. 

Even if the Guardians will never be at a point where they’re in on the top free agents in the sport, they should still be trying to maximize every year of José Ramírez’s prime. 

At this time last year, no one expected Andrés Giménez to be playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. The Guardians could pull off a stunner of a similar magnitude by signing Song and restructuring their middle infield.