13 former Guardians who are lingering as free agents as 2026 spring training looms

RHP Jakob Junis
Appeared in 57 games with the Guardians in 2025

Last spring the Guardians signed Junis to a one-year, $4.5 million contract on the eve of spring training, and he responded by putting up a 2.97 ERA in 66 2/3 innings. 

While the ship seems to have sailed on Junis returning to Cleveland thanks to the Guardians signing every free agent reliever under the sun, he’s one of the top free agent relievers still available on the market. He’ll sign a major league deal somewhere. 

C Luke Maile
Appeared in 25 games with the Royals in 2025 

Maile was a serviceable backup catcher for the Guardians in 2022, and has played for the Reds and Royals since leaving Cleveland. 

While he didn’t make Kansas City’s roster out of spring training, he saw a decent amount of playing time in the middle of the season after Kansas City traded Freddy Fermin to the Padres at the Trade Deadline. 

Maile has spent the past two seasons with the Royals and showed some willingness to play at Triple-A for them last year, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he reunited with them again on a minor league deal. 

LHP John Means
Didn’t appear in a game with the Guardians in 2025

The Guardians added Means to their pitching factory last offseason with a one-year, $1 million deal with a team option for 2026. 

And while he made his return to the minor leagues after rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, he never appeared in the bigs for the Guardians, and Cleveland’s front office declined their side of the team option, making him a free agent. 

He suffered an Achilles rupture while training this offseason and now will likely miss all of the 2026 season. If he does sign a deal this offseason, it'll likely be a multi-year minor league deal. 

RHP Eli Morgan
Appeared in seven games with the Cubs in 2025

After opening in his MLB career with the Guardians as a starter, Morgan shifted over to the bullpen and had a three-year run where he was a solid middle-leverage option for Terry Francona and Stephen Vogt. 

Although Morgan posted a stellar 1.93 ERA for the Guardians in 2024, he also dealt with a variety of arm issues, which led to the Guardians trading him to the Cubs last offseason in exchange for outfield prospect Alfonsin Rosario. 

The trade has been great for the Guardians, as Rosario has developed into one of the team’s best outfield prospects whereas Morgan’s season came to an end in April due to arm injuries. 

Now he’ll likely have to settle for a minor league deal, and the Guardians should consider reuniting with him. 

RHP Cal Quantrill
Appeared in 26 games with the Marlins and Braves in 2025

The Marlins inked Quantrill to a big league deal ahead of the 2025 season after he was non-tendered by the Rockies, and he posted a 5.50 ERA in 109 innings with the Marlins before being placed on outright waivers.

He then had two disastrous starts with the Braves before being designated for assignment and going unclaimed on waivers. 

Quantrill is only 30 so there’s still some gas left in his tank, but he, like so many others on this list, is likely going to need to agree to a minor league deal for 2026.