The most exciting development of this young season for the Cleveland Guardians thus far has been the performance of top prospect Chase DeLauter, who has mashed since Opening Day and reminded this fan base why he was so highly regarded over the past few years as he made his way through the minors. He has five homers and four doubles already and has been the best hitter on the team over the first few weeks.
The big question for DeLauter has always been his ability to stay healthy, but fans are hoping that the past is the past and he is here to stay. With how well he has played and all the money being thrown around toward other exciting rookies, the calls for the Guardians to lock DeLauter into a big contract extension have grown louder with each swing of the bat.
Guardians Prospective recently reminded the fans that, as exciting as DeLauter has been, he still has to prove he can stay healthy over the course of a full season. He has been unable to do so since college, and that could be the reason why he hasn’t been extended just yet, while so many of his peers are getting major bags thrown their way.
“Cleveland Guardians fans wanting and begging to sign Chase DeLauter to a long-term extension like Griffin, Emerson and McGonigle have to understand DeLauter needs to prove he can stay healthy for a full season, correct?” Guardians Prospective posted.
Cleveland #Guardians fans wanting and begging to sign Chase DeLauter to a long-term extension like Griffin, Emerson and McGonigle have to understand DeLauter needs to prove he can stay healthy for a full season, correct?
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) April 15, 2026
Konnor Griffin, Colt Emerson, and Kevin McGonigle received major extensions over the past few weeks, with Emerson yet to even make his debut in the big leagues. There have been calls for the Guardians to pay DeLauter since his torrid first few days of the season, but so far there hasn’t been anything substantial from the team itself on this topic.
The push for the Guardians to extend Travis Bazzana are going to be at least just as loud once he gets called up as well. We might even hear a push for Parker Messick to get an extension if he keeps dealing the way he has been.
For a team like the Guardians that refuses to spend big in free agency, it would make a lot of sense to get DeLauter locked up as soon as possible. The concern due to his injury history is valid, so perhaps this is a conversation the two parties will have in the summer or next offseason if DeLauter does in fact stay healthy.
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