Cleveland Indians: 3 players the Tribe must ink to long-term deals this offseason

Cleveland Indians, DH, Franmil Reyes

Like Bieber, Franmil Reyes will enter the arbitration process for the first time this upcoming offseason. Currently making just $602,400, Reyes is going to likely see his salary at least triple for the 2022 season and continue increasing from there, especially if he continues to tap into his potential.

Reyes has been one of the Tribe’s best hitters this season, slashing .275/.330/.578 with 12 doubles and 20 home runs. If those stats continue, he will quickly outprice himself in Cleveland before he becomes a free agent after the 2024 season. However, the club could of course extend him now.

Being a power hitter, there’s a higher likelihood that Reyes can sustain his production over a longer period of time. That means that signing him to an eight-year deal could be more than worth it. Eight years means that Reyes would become a free agent after his age 34 season. To put that into perspective a bit, Nelson Cruz is 41-years old and still swinging the lumber with the best of them.

This would allow Reyes time to have another big contact after Cleveland and the Tribe could get him on a bargain deal through his prime. Reyes has already shown signs of what is to come in his career, increasing his average while maintaining his power. Again, it might cost a bit more now, but will save the organization money in the long run while retaining the offensive’s best weapon far longer than currently anticipated.