REPORT: Guardians Avoid Arbitration With Seven Players
Thursday was full of news in the MLB world as it was the deadline for arbitration-eligible players and teams to agree to a salary for the 2024 season. If they did not agree to a number, a hearing must take place to determine what the salary will be for the upcoming season.
The Cleveland Guardians had seven players that fell into this category which includes some of the team's star players.
Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reported that the Guardians reached one-year deals with their seven arbitration-eligible players. This is who signed and how their deals panned out:
- Shane Bieber - $13.25 million
- Scott Barlow - $6.7 million
- Josh Naylor - $6.55 million
- James Karinchak - $1.9 million, reportedly includes a "rewards package"
- Triston McKenzie - $1.6 million
- Sam Hentges - $1.662 million
- Nick Sandlin - $1.075 million
Jul 8, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Josh Naylor (22) hits an RBI single during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Outside of those who are already signed to long-term contract extensions such as Jose Ramirez, Andres Gimenez, and Emmanuel Clase, this group consisting of Bieber, Nayor, and McKenzie is the core of this team.
It's good to see that the sides were able to come to an agreement and not have to settle the contract in a hearing. Needing an arbitrator to come in and deem the amount on a player is worth could have ramifications on the field.
Corbin Burnes lost his arbitration case with the Milwaukee Brewers last year and admitted that the process and what the team said about him hurt his relationship with the organization.
Thankfully, the Guardians won't have to deal with this and they'll have their full roster ready to go once Sring Training starts in just over a month.
