4 Cleveland Guardians who could be non-tendered this offseason

We’re in the thick of the World Series, which means that the official start of the MLB offseason keeps getting closer and closer. 

While the Guardians already got a jump-start on the offseason by re-signing Austin Hedges to a one-year contract, they’ll have plenty of decisions to make once we reach the non-tender deadline on Nov. 21. 

With that date quickly approaching, here’s a look at four Guardians who could be non-tender candidates next month. All arbitration projections are via MLB Trade Rumors’ Matt Swartz. 

These four Guardians could be non-tendered this offseason

OF Will Brennan ($900,000)

While Brennan burst onto the scene in 2022 and possesses all the skills needed to be a successful outfielder in MLB, he could be the odd man out this offseason after only playing in six games last season due to Tommy John surgery.

He was set to make Cleveland’s Opening Day roster in 2025 but was sent to Triple-A after the Guardians acquired Nolan Jones at the end of spring training. Brennan was recalled in May and went 1-for-11 with the Guardians before going under the knife. 

Although Brennan is only projected to make $900,000 next season in his first foray into arbitration, the Guardians have a glut of minor leaguers who they need to protect from the Rule 5 draft, so every 40-man man spot is valuable. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Cleveland’s front office would rather use Brennan’s roster spot on a rising prospect. 

Brennan also underwent sports hernia surgery in September, but is expected to be fully healthy by the start of spring training. If the Guardians do cut bait with him, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him on an Opening Day roster elsewhere at the start of 2026. 

Sam Hentges ($1.337 million)

Hentges and the Guardians avoided arbitration last offseason with a one-year, $1,377 million contract after he underwent Tommy John surgery, and Swartz projected him to earn the same amount this year after missing all season. 

He also underwent arthroscopic right knee surgery at the end of September, but is expected to be ready for spring training. He posted a 2.93 ERA in 138 innings from 2022 to ‘24, but it’s been 15+ months since we last saw him on a major league mound. 

You can never have enough pitching, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Guardians move on from Hentges given the lack of production they’ve got from him across the past two seasons. 

OF Nolan Jones ($2 million)

The Guardians gave Jones the keys to right field last season after their aforementioned trade for him… and he responded by hitting just .211 across 136 games. 

While he finished in the 70th percentile in hard-hit rate and the 69th percentile in walk rate, he had a strikeout rate of 28% and was worth -5 Outs Above Average (even if he has one of the best arms in baseball).

Jones had some clutch home runs late in the season, but he ended up missing the final two weeks of the season which set up more opportunities for some younger players. 

Jones’ projected $2 million price tag isn’t incredibly expensive, but his struggles in 2025 may end up being too much to overlook. 

Ben Lively ($2.7 million) 

This one hurts. The Guardian signed Lively to a major league deal worth a little more than the Major League minimum ahead of the 2024 season, and he rewarded that investment with a 3.81 ERA in 151 innings. 

He got off to another solid start in 2025 (3.22 ERA in 44 2/3 innings) before having Tommy John surgery at the beginning of June. He’s expected to be out 12 to 16 months, so he won’t be much of a factor in 2026, if at all. 

Lively’s price tag isn’t too hefty, but the Guardians would need to carry him on the 40-man roster all offseason, which could bring about the end of his roster. 

If the Guardians do let him go, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him sign a contract similar to the one John Means signed last offseason with the Guardians while still rehabbing from Tommy John.