The Guardians’ free-agency strategy gained traction with reports linking them to a handful of recognizable players from past seasons.NL
Three Former Guardians Who Could Make Sense as Free Agent Targets
Free agency is officially underway, and while the Cleveland Guardians have already dipped into familiar waters by bringing back Austin Hedges on a one-year deal, there are still a few more former players who could fit right back into the mix. Whether it’s about adding depth, versatility, or just reuniting with guys who know the culture, the Guardians have some intriguing options among their former ranks.
Let’s take a closer look at three ex-Guardians who could make a return to Cleveland – and why it might be a smart move.
OF Will Brennan: A Contact-First Bat Worth Another Look
Will Brennan’s non-tender at the deadline caught more than a few people off guard. Sure, his 2025 season was limited to just six games due to injuries, and there wasn’t much to write home about in those appearances. But there’s still a lot to like in Brennan’s profile – especially if the Guardians can bring him back on a minor league deal.
What Brennan lacks in raw power, he makes up for with elite bat-to-ball skills. From 2022 through 2024, he consistently ranked in the top percentile in both strikeout rate and whiff rate.
That’s not just good – that’s rare in today’s swing-and-miss-heavy game. Add in a solid expected batting average, and you’ve got a player who knows how to grind out professional at-bats.
Defensively, Brennan’s no liability either. He’s held his own in right field, and while he may not be a game-changer with the glove, he’s steady – and that matters.
The Guardians have made some tough calls between Brennan and Nolan Jones in recent years, choosing Jones twice over Brennan. But with the outfield picture still in flux, bringing Brennan back into the fold would give the Guardians a reliable, low-risk option with upside.
RHP Nic Enright: A Rehab Project Worth the Patience
Nic Enright’s journey to the majors was a long one, and when he finally broke through earlier this year, he made the most of it. In 31 innings of work, Enright showed flashes of being a dependable bullpen arm – until an arm injury cut his season short and led to Tommy John surgery.
Now, Enright is on the shelf for all of 2026, no matter where he signs. But that doesn’t mean the Guardians should close the book on him. In fact, this could be the perfect time to bring him back on a multi-year minor league deal – one that gives him the space to rehab while staying in a system that knows him well.
Cleveland has done this before: investing in injured pitchers with long-term potential. Enright fits that mold. He’s not going to help in 2026, but if the Guardians play the long game here, they could end up with a solid bullpen piece for 2027 and beyond – and at a team-friendly cost.
RHP Jakob Junis: A Proven Arm Who Checks a Lot of Boxes
Jakob Junis might be the most immediate fit of the bunch – and one of the more logical targets for Cleveland’s bullpen needs in 2026.
After signing a one-year deal just before spring training, Junis delivered in a big way. He posted a 2.97 ERA across 66 2/3 innings and proved he could handle just about any role the Guardians threw at him.
Long relief? Check.
Spot starts? Check.
Middle-leverage innings? Check.
Junis was the definition of versatility, and he did it all at a high level.
With the Guardians looking to shore up their bullpen heading into 2026, Junis is the kind of arm that makes sense. He’s already shown he can succeed in Cleveland, and he fills a very real need in that middle-relief lane – the one he just excelled in.
Sure, he’s probably going to cost more than the $4.5 million he earned last season. But that’s the price of success, especially for a pitcher who just proved he can be a stabilizing force in a major league bullpen.
Bottom Line
The Guardians are in a position where smart, strategic additions could make a real difference in 2026. Bringing back familiar faces like Brennan, Enright, and Junis wouldn’t just be sentimental – it would be practical. Each offers something this team could use: contact skills, long-term bullpen depth, and proven versatility on the mound.
Cleveland has never been shy about exploring value in unexpected places. In this case, the answer might be as simple as welcoming back some old friends.
