Got this off a Twins article - a team similar to Cleveland. Just goes to show that catcher bonehead signings are not unique to us. And this one dwarfs ours.

C Christian Vázquez (33): Handed the starting job after signing a three-year, $30 million deal last offseason, Vázquez struggled and fell behind Jeffers on the depth chart, remaining on the bench for all six playoff games. Vázquez will get the chance to bounce back in a prominent role because the Twins value catcher depth and he’s making $10 million, but Jeffers is now the unquestioned starter.

So $10 million per year for 2 more years for their backup catcher.

Baseball America podcast, assessing the state of the Guardians, notes that in the AL Central everyone is potentially a contender.

So $10 million per year for 2 more years for their backup catcher.

Wonder if Straw is on "The List".

Talk about blocking prospects.... the only reason he's still around is nobody wants his guaranteed contract.

Don't believe the BS that it's not about the money.

Straw could be useful in a minor way as defensive replacement for a clutz fielder; but we don't really have any of those in camp unless they decided to put J Naylor in RF which is unlikely or J Noel has powers his way onto the team.

Guardians already did that with Laureano and Hedges. Barlow for pitchers. Might even include Carrasco in that group. Plus your manager is a recently retired player. No reason to steal at bats, playing time and wasted money.

I definitely think that Cleveland will win the Central Division. So I believe that makes them a contender.

If I were putting down money on the Central it would be on the Twins.

That said, I do consider Cleveland a contender for sure for the division - by far the worst division in baseball.

When does that new owner kick in again? Because the level of their spending now has reached absurd.

rusty - love your optimism!

And watching the pitching staff this year is going to be fascinating.

As for Straw - obviously in retrospect that contract was a mistake. You can get stud fielders who can't hit for far less.

But that's history - I agree there can still be a role for him. Defensive replacement, pinch runner (especially in extra innings!) and starter vs. lefties at times. Overpaid for the role but there is a role there he can still occupy.

And if, by chance, he can put the ball in play enough to actually hit like he did when we first got him again then all the better.

Straw was given that contract before Kwan played his way on the team. Kwan is Straw with a little more pop...and I mean little.

Now Straw is a liability eating up dollars and playing time. Hope he has a good ST so they can dump him.

Kwan is still cheap and he's committed to upping his power production but I would have no problems trading him for a 20 HR left fielder.

Straw is making peanuts as far as major league players go. He has to be able to hit ,270 and if he can they will have teams glad to take him off their hands.

A team that needs a good Cf and lead off hitter should give him a shot.

Mark, the Twins had a terrible off season.

Russ

Straw is owed $4.9 million this year, $6.4 million next year, $7.4 million in 2026 and then a $1.75 million buyout or $8 million in 2027. All guaranteed.

If you call that "peanuts" for a guy with no power at all.


Must be a lot of teams out there with peanut allergy,

6 and 7 million is peanuts in todays major league baseball. What is Laureano making ?

Yes, it is too bad they have that contract but do not make it out to be such a great amount. Guardians ate that much to get rid of Bell. What is Hedges making ? How about that star reliever Barlow ?

Apr 4, 2023 — The average MLB salary was up 11.1% to a record $4.9 million to start this season, the largest jump for the sport since 2001, an AP study ...