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3 players the Cleveland Guardians should explore extending

By Anthony Alandt

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 22: Josh Naylor #22 of the Cleveland Guardians hits a solo homer during the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on May 22, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 22: Josh Naylor #22 of the Cleveland Guardians hits a solo homer during the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on May 22, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Franmil Reyes

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 23: Franmil Reyes #32 of the Cleveland Guardians in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 23, 2022 in New York City. New York Yankees defeated the Cleveland Guardians 5-4. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 23: Franmil Reyes #32 of the Cleveland Guardians in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 23, 2022 in New York City. New York Yankees defeated the Cleveland Guardians 5-4. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

La Mole is so fun to watch. I know he’s off to a rough, dare I say Carlos Santana-level start to the season, but come on. Thirty home runs a year ago? An OPS+ of 127? He’s already 26, in the prime of his career and he’s still learning and mashing baseballs at a four-hitter level. It’s clear that fans and front office members alike want Reyes to figure out his slump (maybe a rehab assignment helps that) and continue his barnstorming path of dominance.

Allowing Reyes to continue and play deep into his second and third arbitration years is silly. His talent is going to command more than the $4.55 million he currently makes in the next few years, and the last thing you want is Reyes asking for a six-figure contract the Guardians know they can’t pay.

At his best, Reyes can be one of the best power hitters in baseball. At his worst, it’s easy to draw comparisons to Mark Reynolds or Chris Davis at the end of their careers. Is the volatility worth the extension? I think so. It’d be brutal to see the Franimal crushing balls for any team other than the Guardians.

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