Cleveland Guardians avoid arbitration with six players; Shane Bieber unsigned

Update: Shane Bieber has signed a $6 million deal to avoid arbitration.

The Guardians avoided arbitration with six players Tuesday, leaving Shane Bieber as the only unsigned player left on the roster.

The Cleveland Guardians avoided arbitration with five more players Tuesday, agreeing to 2022 contracts with pitcher Cal Quantrill, outfielder Bradley Zimmer, catcher Austin Hedges, designated hitter Franmil Reyes, and outfielder/first baseman Josh Naylor. Shortstop Amed Rosario already agreed to a $4.95 million deal late Monday.

That of course leaves pitcher Shane Bieber as the only unsigned player on the roster. This means the Guardians could be going to an arbitration hearing with the former Cy Young winner or, if you really like disappointing yourself, there’s a chance the team could be working on an extension. Bieber is estimated to earn around $4.8 million this season.

Quantrill will be making $2.51 million this season, which will be quite the bargain if he can replicate the season he had in 2021. Quantrill was incredible down the stretch last year, holding a 2.27 ERA in the final 16 starts of the season dating back to July 4. And with the rest of the rotation healthy once again, the Guardians no doubt have a playoff-caliber pitching staff.

Zimmer agreed to a $1.3 million deal, Naylor a $1.2 million deal, and Reyes – who could also be in line for a potential extension – will be making $4.55 million.

Hedges, who projects to be the team’s starting catcher, settled with the team on a $4 million deal to avoid arbitration. While Hedges is a standout defensive catcher who works well with the pitching staff, the Guardians no doubt would love more offensive production from the position this year. Hedges hit just .178/.220/.308 with 10 home runs, 31 RBIs and a 43 OPS+ in 286 at-bats.

Without factoring in what Bieber is due to make, the Guardians payroll now stands at a paltry $43 million or so.