On to the offseason - Part 3 - Need #1

 OK, so we have looked at the 40-man roster.  It's full and that's after trading Owen Miller and DFAing Anthony Gose.

Still, our first need is one I would fill through free agency and that player is:

Jose Abreu

In 1994 we added Eddie Murray on a 3-year deal in his age 38 season and it made a world of difference to our locker room.  He produced, too, but you can always get guys who produce.  But guys who produce PLUS add to the locker room, that's what this team needs to keep improving..

Abreu adds a righthanded bat and slots into the DH/first base situation that will ease our need to rely on Josh Naylor all the time.  Naylor gets some rest against the best lefties and in certain other games to, hopefully, keep him fresh.  Plus, Abreu's addition is minimal disruption to the rest of the roster, how we play baseball and I perceive him as EXACTLY what we need in our clubhouse to keep the chemistry going and add veteran leadership that will help on and off the field.

Plus, he is experienced playing in cold weather and in the AL Central, which are both added plusses.

Finally, he allows us to save our 40-man roster assets for trades, trade capital we will need when it comes to our other needs, that I will cover in a later blog posting.

Now, to get Abreu, it is going to cost us a 3-year deal at roughly $55 million.  Still, I would sign him the first day you can sign free agents.  I think if we rush in he might feel comfortable enough with the Guardians and AL Central he might want to get the FA process over with.    Is Abreu worth $55 million and will we regret the deal sometime in year 3?  No and yes, respectively.   Still, I am so sure this is the right deal that I would get it done first.