Guardians need to avoid filling first base vacancy with Orioles castoff

Writer Henry Palattella argues that the Cleveland Guardians should not target free-agent first baseman Ryan Mountcastle this offseason. The Baltimore Orioles recently declined Mountcastle's $7.5 million club option for 2027 following an injury-shortened season where he appeared in only eight games. Palattella cautions that signing Mountcastle would repeat last winter's disappointing, low-cost signing of Rhys Hoskins.

Palattella suggests that Cleveland should instead rely on internal talent, including Kyle Manzardo and 21-year-old prospect Ralphy Velazquez. Velazquez recorded a .928 OPS across Double-A and Triple-A, positioning him as the club's potential long-term solution at first base rather than pursuing Mountcastle on the open market.