CLEVELAND — This time of year, writers pen stories about how their team should sign this player and that player while referencing Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Hurry-Up-Before-The-Work-Stoppage Sunday, and other holiday shopping staples. Well, we’re not going to do that here. (Editor’s note: He’s lying.)

But let’s get in the Hot Stove spirit and truly stamp this as the most wonderful time of year by taking a look at some names the Guardians should consider.

Since the season ended, I’ve heard three Guardians executives each cite that the club finished 28th in the league in runs scored and stress how they can’t allow that to happen again in 2026. Actions speak louder than words, but let’s presume the front office is serious about bolstering the lineup. (And let’s not go all Scrooge and mention the possibility of a Steven Kwan trade.)

You know those holiday commercials where there’s a shiny new SUV sitting in the driveway with a big red bow on the hood, and the family waits for the mom to step outside to see her gift and it’s supposed to be a relatable scene? What the ad reps don’t show you is that the husband hasn’t paid his credit card bills for months and that car is probably going to be repossessed before the snow melts.

Anyway, if the Guardians ever felt like scripting a “December to Remember” (they don’t), Pete Alonso and his right-handed power are precisely what they need. Bah, humbug, that’s not happening.

Given the Guardians’ spending habits — Fun fact: their 2001 and 2025 payrolls were only about $6 million apart, according to Cot’s Contracts — free agency rarely offers them a holly jolly path to addressing the middle of their order. Certain candidates could help on the margins at a reasonable cost, but to land an impact bat, the Guardians probably need to swing a trade. Free agency is not a one-stop shop.

They could sign Adolis García, who, in 2023, hit 39 homers and was a postseason hero. Since then, his walk rate has cratered and his bat speed has declined. Maybe he’s a platoon partner for George Valera or Chase DeLauter in right field, but both García and Christopher Morel seem like the Eddie Rosario or Domingo Santana type of present, one you unwrap and politely say, “Oh, nice. Thank you. I wanted one of these.” Never mind the fact that you wanted it three years ago when it was in style, and in a couple years, you’ll completely forget you ever had one. García’s metrics are looking pretty naughty.

For a nicer forecast, perhaps the Guardians could turn their attention to switch-hitting infielder Jorge Polanco, The Athletic’s No. 22-ranked free agent. He’s projected (by FanGraphs’ Steamer model) to produce offense at a rate 14% better than league average next season. He was 32% better than league average in 2025, with 26 homers,  a strikeout rate he chopped in half, and the best hard-hit rate and average exit velocity of his career. He could play second base until Travis Bazzana is ready and then find another position.

The Guardians need hitters. They can sort out the defensive alignment later.

First baseman Ryan O’Hearn hits lefty and would force C.J. Kayfus to the outfield, but he’s a consistently above-average hitter who logged an .803 OPS last season. The Guardians were once fond of infielder Luis Rengifo, but he followed up a couple of solid seasons with a dismal 2025.

Could Rob Refsnyder be on the Guardians’ shopping list this offseason?Emilee Chinn / Getty Images

If they prefer to shop local, they could pursue former members of the organization, including Willi Castro as a super-sub or Rob Refsnyder (or even a reunion with Lane Thomas) as an outfield platoon partner who crushes lefties. Austin Hays, Miguel Andujar or Randal Grichuk could fill the latter role as well. Hays, 30, posted a .949 OPS against lefties for the Cincinnati Reds last season, and was only a tick below average against righties. He seems like a natural fit for Cleveland.

Center fielders Harrison Bader, Cedric Mullins, and JJ Bleday all have varying degrees of appeal, but some red flags, too. A left-handed-hitting corner outfielder like Mike Tauchman or Mike Yastrzemski would have made more sense before the team opted to retain Nolan Jones.

Where the Guardians can really cozy up to some great deals is on the pitching side.

Instead of getting you the iPod you really wanted, did your parents settle for the non-name-brand MP3 player, like a Zune? Or instead of the Beanie Baby you coveted, they got you a Pebble Pet? (In 2024, I spotted someone in a Josh Naylor Guardians City Connect jersey at the airport… except the jersey said “Maylor” and it was more teal than navy. Probably not what they were seeking to purchase, but it still got the point across.)

The Guardians won’t fork over the cash for Edwin Díaz, the iPod of the reliever class, but there are plenty of Zunes available. They know they need to add to their bullpen depth, since Emmanuel Clase might be busy with other endeavors, Sam Hentges is reportedly joining the San Francisco Giants, Nic Enright was cut loose, Jakob Junis and Kolby Allard are free agents, Andrew Walters essentially missed the entire 2025 season and Franco Aleman had a nightmarish year in Columbus. As things stand, Matt Festa is projected to make 135 appearances in 2026.

Tyler Rogers throws an 83-mph sinker and a 74-mph slider, and yet he’ll likely have a line of suitors since hitters can’t square up either pitch. He’s led the NL in appearances each of the last two years. He has a grand total of 13 walks in those two seasons. Last season, he posted a 1.98 ERA.

If the Guardians don’t want to commit to a one-year, $15 million pact or a two-year, $21 million pact, as The Athletic’s elves project he could command, they could shift their attention to Kyle Finnegan, Luke Weaver, Michael Kopech or Seranthony Domínguez, who are plenty capable and affordable. Brad Keller is another intriguing option, a failed starter who emerged as a dominant reliever for the Chicago Cubs last season (.182/.265/.247 opponent slash line).

Some others who could bring a modest bit of holiday cheer: Colin Holderman, Jacob Webb, Gregory Santos, Jorge Alcala, Joey Lucchesi, Tayler Saucedo, Dauri Moreta or Mark Leiter Jr. Don’t delay, though: Ryan Helsley already signed with the Baltimore Orioles and Devin Williams and the Mets linked up on a three-year deal late Monday, so relievers could soon fly off the shelves.

There’s also the sort of gift that a kid might not appreciate right away, but they will eventually, like a college fund or a pair of socks. In that spirit, we’re looking at pitchers who are injured, but could be worth the investment, the way Matthew Boyd was, and the way the Guardians thought John Means might be. Cleveland has become a rehab headquarters for pitchers in recent years, and it’s been a place for pitchers to prosper in general for about a decade now. That might appeal to a free agent.

Perhaps Evan Phillips, who underwent elbow surgery in June and who owns a 2.22 ERA over the last five years, would make sense. Or, in a similar vein, Trent Thornton, Max Kranick or Danny Young. If the Guardians want another he-was-awesome-in-2022-but-has-been-a-mess-ever-since project to replace their previous he-was-awesome-in-2022-but-has-been-a-mess-ever-since project, Triston McKenzie, they could buy low on Alek Manoah.

The Guardians also like to covertly attempt to add starting pitching depth. They offered Carlos Rodón a three-year deal before he signed with the Giants ahead of the 2022 season. They courted Nick Pivetta last winter before he joined the San Diego Padres. They ended last season with six reliable starters, but if they want a seventh, maybe someone like Tyler Mahle would make sense. He could sign a one-year pact (perhaps with a second-year option) to rebuild his value after a few years of injuries and a 2.18 ERA in 16 starts in 2025, a sample that wasn’t totally supported by underlying metrics.

The Guardians have a lot to check off their list in the coming months. A little holiday shopping can help. ‘Tis the season and whatnot.