3 players for Cleveland Guardians to target this offseason

Oct 4, 2022; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics catcher Sean Murphy (12) hits a single during the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2022; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics catcher Sean Murphy (12) hits a single during the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
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Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

J.D. Martinez

The Cleveland Guardians need more power in the lineup and they need a veteran that can help show their young roster how to win in the postseason.

J.D. Martinez could be the answer for both. A five time All Star, Martinez was a key part of the Red Sox 2018 championship team, a feared slugger in the middle of their lineup who could change the game with one swing of the bat.

At 35 years old, Martinez is not quite that player any longer. He had what could be considered a down season in 2022, posting a 116 OPS+ with 16 homers and 43 doubles in his 596 plate appearances. However, those 16 homers would have been the fourth most on the Guardians while he still showed some extra base pop.

Martinez could also be a bargain. Teams may not be willing to spend much on an aging designated hitter these days, especially one whose power numbers had decreased as much as Martinez’s had. That would make him an even better fit in Cleveland, a relatively low cost signing with the potential to be that middle of the order power bat that they desperately need.

The Cleveland Guardians desperately needed more power in their lineup. Even if J.D. Martinez is not quite the player he had been, he can be part of the solution.