It’s hard not to get caught up in what Chase DeLauter has done for the Cleveland Guardians in the first week of his rookie season. He burst onto the scene with two home runs on Opening Day and added two more in the next two games to make MLB history.
Now, after being named AL Player of the Week, high expectations have skyrocketed. So much so that one analyst is suggesting that Cleveland should abandon one of the main tenets of its organization.
Ken Carman is saying that the young Guardians hitter could spark early contract talks as soon as this year’s All-Star break.
“Say [Chase DeLauter] is a top Rookie of the Year candidate by the All-Star break, which would make him an All-Star. If he’s an All-Star, are you talking extension? It’s obviously way too early, but let’s have some fun with this. We both predicted there would be a splash signing. That would be a splash. It’s your own player that your fans are excited about. If he were an All-Star and a Rookie of the Year candidate, why not have a conversation at the All-Star break?” Carman said.
"Say (DeLauter) is a top rookie of the year candidate by the all star break, which would make him an all star. If he's an all star, are you talking extension?"
⚾@KenCarman asks @SportsBoyTony if a contract extension could be in play for Chase DeLauter this season if he… pic.twitter.com/CdSki2kgcI
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) March 31, 2026
Carman did acknowledge that he’s having fun, and it’s very early to be considering this kind of move for DeLauter. However, he also mentioned that the Guardians’ way of doing business may change, with David Blitzer on track to become the controlling owner of the team rather than the Dolan family.
Yet, even for the most extravagant MLB teams, it’s still not very good business to hand out a contract extension to a player with DeLauter’s injury history after one good week in the majors. That’s especially true when he’s under team control through at least the 2031 season.
Instead, fans should just enjoy what is happening so far. In five games, DeLauter is batting .286 with a 1.175 OPS and those four home runs with five RBIs. He took his first 0-fer of the season when he failed to get a hit in a victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday.
It is not totally unexpected, based on his spring training performance and his results over three minor league seasons. The primary concern would be that he was unable to play in more than 57 games in any of those years due to a series of injuries, particularly to his left foot.
The Guardians would be wise to see how he handles the grind of at least one 162-game season before committing to a contract extension, especially when there is no rush to do so.
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