Insider Offers Bleak Outlook On Potential Guardians Free Agency Additions

ESPN's Buster Olney reports the cost for free agents could be "stunning" this offseason, which could put the Cleveland Guardians in a tough spot.

Jul 8, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; A Cleveland Guardians baseball cap and glove sit on the dugout rail before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images / David Reginek-Imagn Images

The Cleveland Guardians have several clear roster needs. The most glaring is the addition of one or two starting pitchers and another outfielder who can produce at the plate.

However, actually making these upgrades is much easier said than done. Bringing in free agents could be even harder this offseason, given one outlook on the free agency class from respected MLB insider Buster Olney.

One evaluator predicts the prices paid in MLB for the top tiers of free agents this winter will be stunning: "There is more need than there is talent available... There is need all over the place."

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 12, 2024

Olney revealed on Tuesday that he spoke to one evaluator who believes the price for top-tier free agents could be astonishing this offseason. "There is more need than there is talent available... There is need all over the place," wrote Olney on X.

This isn't great news for the Guardians organization, which typically doesn't spend big money during the offseason.

So far, Cleveland's only free agency move is bringing back veteran catcher Austin Hedges, who has more of a leadership role on the roster than an on-difference maker.

Onley's report doesn't mean all hope is lost for Cleveland regarding finding upgrades before 2025 Opening Day.

Nov 10, 2023; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, middle, and president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti, left, and general manager Mike Chernoff, right, talk to the media during an introductory press conference at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images / Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

One outcome may be that the Guardians recognize they have a window of contention opening and decide now's the time to spend big money on a player if the front office believes it'll benefit them for the foreseeable future.

If that doesn't happen, Cleveland could also turn to the trade market and finally give up some of their prospective talent for proven major league players.

None of this is to say that the Guardians won't make any moves this winter, but it does show that Cleveland isn't the only team looking for additions that could up the price of those upgrades.