Cleveland Offseason Quest: Finding the Perfect Right Fielder
The Guardians could use some production in right field, specifically against right-handed pitching. Will they find some this offseason in free agency or a trade?
In our previous article in this series, we covered the primary names who should be available this offseason to meet the biggest need on the Guardians: starting pitching. However, the Guardians also had the 20th worst wRC+ in MLB against RHP at 95 and they also had the 21st worst wRC+ from their right-fielders at 92. So, it’s clear they could use an upgrade in right-field, specifically against RHP.
I will not be doing another article looking at potential backup catchers or at the possibility of trading Josh Naylor and signing Carlos Santana (something being hyped up on Twitter at the moment). I assume we will bring back Austin Hedges for the former role and I find the idea that they’ll trade Naylor fairly unlikely. But, we will see how things go. Regardless, the needle-moving potential move is an upgrade in right-field, so that’s where I’m going to spend my time and offer my meager analysis.
Now, the Guardians do have a couple potential right-field options rapidly approaching the big leagues. Namely, Chase DeLauter. DeLauter put up a 320 wRC+ in 13 spring training games last year, a 185 wRC+ in six games at Columbus and is currently rocking a 1.065 OPS in the Arizona Fall League. The former first-round draft pick for the Guardians still has a very unconventional swing which has several prospect evaluators doubting his ability to translate to the big leagues, but the Guardians seem to be taking an “If it Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It” philosophy with him. Aside from doubts about the swing, DeLauter has had a lot of trouble staying on the field, however, leading many to wonder if he might have to move to first base or DH. But, maybe the Guardians leave right-field as DeLauter’s position to win in Spring Training, with Jhonkensy “Big Christmas” Noel as the backup/lefty masher.
Additionally, Juan Brito had 19 games at Columbus in right-field and put up a 113 wRC+ as a 22 year old in Triple-A. As a switch-hitter, Brito isn’t really a lefty masher, however, with splits over the past two years of .815 against RHP and .782 vs. LHP. So, just a good hitter, which is kind of nice for a change, but hard to imagine he is ready to put up a 115 wRC+ in the big leagues or ready to play right-field there, either. But, I do hope he spends his time working on corner outfield spots this offseason and that he will get a real shot to make the Opening Day roster, if he is not traded at some point.
The Guardians could also, of course, try the Will Brennan/Jhonkensy Noel platoon again for a while as DeLauter and Brito continue to cook in Columbus, simultaneously monitoring the available options at the 2025 July trade deadline. This is not a popular option, I’m sure, as most of us are hoping for an improvement over Brennan’s slipshod defense from 2024 and his lackluster career 104 wRC+ vs RHP while being unplayable (20 wRC+) vs LHP. But, the Guardians know the cost to acquire a legit bat is often cheaper in a midseason trade than an offseason trade or signing.
With all that said, IF the Guardians look to upgrade at right-field in the months ahead before Opening Day, what possibilities are out there? Let’s take a look:
