Guardians DFA Former Top Starting Pitcher

He went 15-5 in 2022 with a 3.38 ERA, and had arguably an even better season the year before, with a 2.89 ERA. But now, coming off just one bad season, right-hander Cal Quantrill has been designated for assignment by the Cleveland Guardians.

The Guardians have DFA'd Cal Quantrill, per @ByRobertMurray pic.twitter.com/36ubCVdXWx

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) November 14, 2023

With the small-market Guardians, it all comes down to money, as Quantrill was expected to earn a $6.6M salary in arbitration this offseason. So the Guards decided to just cut bait, despite that 3.16 ERA over 2021-2022.

The 28-year-old (29 on Opening Day 2024) had a disastrous season this year, however, fighting injuries and poor performance, finishing with a 5.24 ERA in 19 starts, along with a 1.46 WHIP, both numbers well above his career norms. 

He missed two months of the '23 season with shoulder inflammation, his fastball was down when he did pitch, and he registered the lowest strikeout ratio of his career, at just 5.2 K/9. 

Cleveland has a week to either trade him or pass him through waivers. Quantrill still had two more team years of control, so it's certainly a possibility that he could be claimed off waivers for a team willing to put up the $6M+ in arbitration this year, with the hopes that he can rekindle his past success. 

Photo: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports