Thursday was an important day in MLB, for all organizations.
That, obviously, includes the Cleveland Guardians.
Teams had until Thursday to agree on the 2024 contracts of their arbitration-eligible players, otherwise a long, tedious process would start: exchanging arbitration figures and, if they didn’t settle at one specific amount, go to an actual arbitration hearing.
Thankfully for everyone involved, no hearings will be necessary for the Guardians.
“Guards reached deals with their 7 arb players. Here’s what they got on 1-year deals: Bieber Shane $13.125 m, Scott Barlow $6.7 m, Josh Naylor $6.55 m, James Karinchak $1.9 m, Triston McKenzie $1.6 m, Sam Hentges $1.625 m and Nick Sandlin $1.075 m,” Guardians insider Paul Hoynes tweeted.
Guards reached deals with their 7 arb players. Here's what they got on 1-year deals: Bieber Shane $13.125 m, Scott Barlow $6.7 m, Josh Naylor $6.55 m, James Karinchak $1.9 m, Triston McKenie $1.6 m, Sam Hentges $1.625 m and Nick Sandlin $1.075 m.
— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) January 12, 2024
The largest number goes to ace Shane Bieber.
Fresh off posting a solid 3.80 ERA in 128 innings, Bieber gets a nice salary bump from the $10.01 million he made in 2023.
He is probably not the ace he used to be in 2019-2022, but even while battling arm issues and diminished velocity, he managed to pitch quality games and help his team win.
There is a possibility the Guardians don’t spend those $13.125 million if they trade Bieber before the start of the campaign, or a prorated amount should they ship him elsewhere in-season.
Trade acquisition Scott Barlow earned the second-highest payday among Cleveland’s arbitration-eligible players.
He is expected to serve as a setup man or even as closer should the team trade Emmanuel Clase (unlikely, but not impossible).
Slugger Josh Naylor, at $6.55 million, also gets a nice raise.
The rest of the arbitration deals are between $1 and $2 million.
NEXT: Fans React To Shane Bieber's Salary Agreement
