3 Guardians players not named Steven Kwan who deserve a contract extension

While the Cleveland Guardians inability to sign a contract extension with Steven Kwan has been incredibly frustrating, he’s not the only player on the Guardians’ roster who has a compelling case to earn a contract extension. 

That topic was highlighted in a recent episode of the Cleveland Baseball Talk podcast, where co-hosts Paul Hoynes and Joe Noga discussed which non-Kwan Guardians could get a contract extension this offseason.

So, as we prepare for an offseason likely filled with Kwan trade rumors, here’s a look at three other Guardians who the front office should start extension talks with this offseason. 

The Guardians need to lock these three players up to their long-term core

Cade Smith 

Smith filled in admirably as the Guardians closer after Emmanuel Clase was placed on paid leave as a part of MLB’s investigation into sports betting. After struggling against the Rockies in his first appearance as closer, he finished the year with a 2.51 ERA in 28 2/3 innings after Clase got suspended. 

Prior to Clase getting suspended, the Guardians seemed to have pulled off the unlimited money hack with Smith in that he was working as a solid set up man but not getting the saves that would have raised his price tag in arbitration (which he’ll be eligible for after 2026). 

Instead, Smith has a 2.42 ERA with 16 saves in 149 innings on his ledger and is set to work as the Guardians full-time closer next year. Which, to be clear, is a great thing. Smith’s an excellent pitcher and is a great option for a closer. 

But it also means that his price tag is going to rise. 

The Guardians could make all of that a moot point by inking Smith to an extension that would cover his arbitration-eligible years. While Smith’s price tag will likely be more than the $20 million extension Clase signed ahead of 2022, Smith’s just going to get more and more expensive in arbitration. Signing him to a three-year contract worth around $25 million could end up being a winning recipe. 

Hoynes and Noga said Smith should be the Guardians' top non-Kwan priority, and we couldn't agree more.

Kyle Manzardo

Another player mentioned by Hoynes and Noga, Manzardo brings unrivaled power to the Guardians’ roster. 

The Guardians have struggled to develop power for seemingly as long as baseball’s been around, so it’s pretty easy to see how the 25-year-old could help the Guardians in the long-term. 

And, like Smith, any potential Manzardo extension would likely cover all of Manzardo’s arbitration-eligible years since he won’t be a free agent until after the 2030 season. 

Manzardo has had to share first base for almost all of his MLB career, so inking him to an extension would clear first base for him in a way he hasn’t previously had in his career. 

C.J. Kayfus is another option at first base, but he can play right field when needed. Extending Manzardo would be a win-now move. 

Parker Messick 

Gavin Williams is the dream extension candidate in the rotation, he’s a Scott Boras client, and they almost always go to free agency as opposed to signing an extension.

Instead, the Guardians’ front office should pivot to Messick, who impressed in the seven starts he made during 2025. Messick stepped in at a time when the Guardians were in turmoil, and ended up going more than five innings in all but one of his starts along with allowing one run or less in more than half of them. 

Things will obviously be a bit different for Messick next year after all of baseball will have the offseason to prepare for him, he’s done nothing but produce at every level he’s been at. 

You don’t really see teams extend starting pitchers early in their MLB career, but the Guardians have a chance to go against the mold and lock Messick down for the near future.