Three realistic moves Guardians could make to bolster their roster

Jose Ramirez is once again a finalist for the AL MVP award, one he's come close to winning several times. With his 2025 season, Ramirez has finished within the top three four times and within the top 10 seven times. 

He's a seven-time All-Star, has 285 home runs and 949 RBI and is making a clear case for the Hall of Fame. Yet, the Cleveland Guardians, the team he carries year in and year out, have done little to help support him. They've traded away key players like Shane Bieber and Josh Naylor, while hoping minor league prospects mature and develop as major league players. 

If the 2025 season has proven anything, it's that the talent in the minors just isn't ready to be the pieces Ramirez and the Guardians need to continue their push through the playoffs. They need to make some moves, and here are three the Guardians can, in fact, make to help support their legendary third baseman.

Re-sign LF Steven Kwan

Kwan is the Guardians' second-best player, a four-time Gold Glove winner, a two-time All-Star and a career .281 hitter. His contract is also up in 2026. The Guardians need Kwan if they hope to maximize Ramirez's time on the team. Without him, the club has no real leadoff hitter. So re-signing him has to be a priority.

Sign IF Ha-Seong Kim, 1B/DH Paul Goldschmidt, 2B Amed Rosario, C Danny Jansen

The Guards aren't going to be in on J.T. Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber or Pete Alonso. So, instead of pipe dreams, Cleveland could go after four free agents who are realistic. First, there's Kim, a Gold Glove infielder who has hit .272 for his career. Then there's Goldschmidt, a 38-year-old power hitter who can still hit .274 for a season. Next, there's Jansen, a solid-hitting catcher who can provide offense when Bo Naylor can't. Lastly, there's a former Guardian in Rosario, who can play infield or outfield, while hitting .273 for his career. As hitting has been an issue, all four names on this list could help with that.

Trade for Bryan Reynolds

Soon to be 31, Reynolds of the Pittsburgh Pirates is no longer part of the rebuild plan. Now, he's a valuable trade piece the team can leverage for picks. The Guardians could easily afford the two-time All-Star, as he's locked into his contract for the next six seasons (2031), and save for his final year. Reynolds doesn't make more than $15.25M. The Guardians don't spend a lot of money, but even they can afford Reynolds. 

Honorable Mention: Call up Milan Tolentino

The Guardians could use Rosario in the outfield, Goldschmidt at DH, Jansen at catcher, and Kim at shortstop or second. Reynolds would, in theory, play opposite Kwan in right field, while still leaving holes for the infield. Tolentino, who currently plays for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers, could fill in opposite of Kim wherever he doesn't land. His power is special, and he's a solid defensive player. He'd help a remade version of the Guardians find some real success.