After falling just short in the ALDS, the Cleveland Guardians are heading into an important offseason.
With a young roster, the team appears to be just a few moves away from reaching the next level.
Here is a look at three moves the team needs to make.
3. Sign Brandon Nimmo
The Guardians went through the entire season with Myles Straw as one of the central pieces.
This was despite him hitting just .221 with no home runs, and providing no offensive value to the team.
With this in mind, a name like Brandon Nimmo could be a perfect addition to the team.
CATCH OF THE YEAR?!?!
Brandon Nimmo with the STRAIGHT ROBBERY 🤯 @SNYtv pic.twitter.com/lHmsfNmBQ6
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) September 1, 2022
He provides more of a spark offensively, while still fitting in the offensive mindset of the Guardians.
The team also doesn’t suffer defensively with the addition, making Nimmo a good option to sign this offseason.
2. Sign Jose Abreu
Even though the Guardians already have Josh Naylor for first base, there is still room to use the designated hitter spot to make their lineup deeper.
The biggest name available there is Jose Abreu, who hit .304 with 15 home runs this season.
He has routinely been one of the best hitters in baseball, and would slide into a strong Guardians lineup.
Signing him would also take him away from their rival division, giving them even more incentive to sign the 36-year-old.
1. Sign Willson Contreras
Another weak offensive position for the Guardians is at catcher.
The team largely relied on Austin Hedges, who hit .163 with seven homers this season.
While the Guardians struggled to score runs, especially in the postseason, it would be good for them to focus on improving their weaker areas this offseason.
This makes Willson Contreras an interesting candidate.
Willson Contreras walks it off in the 11th! pic.twitter.com/Mc3tHjTYNn
— MLB (@MLB) August 20, 2022
Contreras was an All-Star this past season, slugging 22 home runs with a .243 average.
In order to take the next step with their roster, the addition of Contreras would help to give the team a veteran presence with an above average offensive option behind the plate.
