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Guardians contract extension candidates include Steven Kwan, Tanner Bibee, Lane Thomas
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- Guardians contract extension candidates include Steven Kwan, Tanner Bibee, Lane Thomas
The Guardians are an organization that perpetually operates with one eye trained on today and the other focused on the future.
Long-term extensions can be somewhat difficult to come by considering the many factors that come into play, namely the Guardians' operating budget and the need to be as efficient and frugal as possible at every turn.
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The Guardians do have a history of signing younger players to long-term extensions, particularly just before or at the beginning of their arbitration eligibility period. It allows the team to eat up a year or two of a player's free agency years at an affordable cost, while the player gets the benefit of securing a lucrative deal earlier in their careers, offsetting risk. For the Guardians, that means they have to commit more money to a player earlier but they can keep him in Cleveland for an extra year or two.
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Sometimes, that seems to work beautifully. All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase only made $2.65 million last season (including a $150,000 bonus for his third-place Cy Young finish), and he's set to earn just $4.5 million in 2025, an incredibly team-friendly deal for the best reliever in baseball.
Other times, well, these deals can become a drain on the Guardians' finite resources to construct the roster. Myles Straw was paid $4.5 million to play in Triple-A Columbus last season. He'll make a base salary of $6 million in 2025 — with no guaranteed roster spot even as a fourth outfielder off the bench — and then $7 million in 2026 before the Guardians can buy out the club option years, which will cost them another $2.25 million.
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Straw had a terrific debut with Cleveland and cashed in on a long-term extension — and hasn't been the same player since signing his name on the dotted line.
Other deals, like the extension Jose Ramirez signed — although it was a bit later in his arbitration process than the previous examples — is one of the most valuable in baseball.
Here are three candidates for long-term extensions this winter.
Cleveland Guardians Steven Kwan reacts after teammate Kyle Manzardo hit a double against the New York Yankees during Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Oct. 18, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Guardians contract extension candidate 2025: Steven Kwan
Steven Kwan has been in the center — or, perhaps the top, considering his placement in the lineup — of almost everything the Guardians have done since making his debut in 2022, when he began his career on a historic run .
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Kwan is under club control through the 2027 season, so there isn't a ton of urgency. He's a three-time Gold Glove winner in left field, a first-time All-Star in 2024 and one of the toughest outs in the game who also added an element of power, clubbing a career-high 14 home runs.
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But if the Guardians could sign him for even one additional year, plus likely a club option year or two, it'd better line up with some of the other long-term deals that have been signed, including Ramirez and Clase. It'll be a lucrative deal as Kwan enters his first year of arbitration eligibility. But the Guardians would jump at the chance to keep Kwan in Cleveland as a fan favorite for an extra couple years — if, of course, the price is doable.
Cleveland Guardians starter Tanner Bibee pitches against the New York Yankees during Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Oct. 19, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Guardians contract extension candidate 2025: Tanner Bibee
Suddenly, Tanner Bibee is the only sure thing in the Guardians rotation entering spring training, a wild situation for Cleveland to be in after years of stability.
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Bibee was again terrific in his second season in the majors, posting a 3.47 ERA with 187 strikeouts in 172⅔ innings. In doing so, he took charge of the leadership role in the rotation as Shane Bieber , who is now a free agent, missed nearly the entire season after needing Tommy John surgery.
Bibee is already under club control through 2028, but the Guardians could see a benefit in locking up the one reliable front-line starter before he reaches arbitration.
Cleveland Guardians' Lane Thomas reacts after a two-run home run by teammate Jhonkensy Noel during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees during Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Oct. 17, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Guardians contract extension candidate 2025: Lane Thomas
Lane Thomas is in a different situation than Kwan or Bibee, as he's entering his final year of arbitration and, therefore, club control. Traditionally, this hasn't been when the Guardians have often agreed to terms on an extension.
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But considering the Guardians' situation in the outfield, securing Thomas for an extra couple of years would provide some needed stability in addition to Kwan.
Thomas seemed to find his footing toward the end of the season after an ice-cold stretch to begin his Cleveland tenure, and his grand slam off Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal that launched the Guardians into the ALCS will be celebrated among fans for a long, long time.
Thomas also fits the Guardians roster nicely as a right-handed hitter who can play all over the outfield.
Josh Naylor is in a similar boat, as he's also entering his final year of arbitration eligibility and, therefore, club control. But with Kyle Manzardo in the fold and David Fry relegated to DH duties in 2025, the Guardians might instead have to try to find a trade partner for Naylor . Then again, perhaps Josh would like to do anything he can to remain in Cleveland with little brother Bo.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians contract extension candidates include Kwan, Bibee, Thomas
