Cal Quantrill DFA’d By Guardians Due To Financial Implications

The former Cleveland starting pitcher was due a projected $6.6 million in arbitration salary for the 2024 season.

Yesterday evening, the Cleveland Guardians announced a pair of corresponding roster moves to complete their 40-man roster ahead of the 2023 MLB Rule 5 Draft.

The Guardians added pitching prospects Daniel Espino and Cade Smith to their 40-man roster, while designating Cal Quantrill and Michael Kelly for assignment.

Cleveland deciding to DFA Quantrill was a surprise to some because he was a main part of the team’s starting rotation, making 75 starts in four seasons with the team.

Earlier today, Guardians President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti addressed why Quantrill was ultimately designated for assignment.

In a recent article, Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes wrote about what Antonetti had to say about the transaction.

Per Hoynes, “​​Antonetti said he felt the $6.6 million Quantrill was projected to make in arbitration this offseason could be put to better use on the roster.”

May 30, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Cal Quantrill (47) throws a twelfth inning pitch against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards / © Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Additionally, Antonetti, “indicated that if they didn’t DFA Quantrill on Tuesday they would have non-tendered him on Friday, the deadline for offering players contracts for next season,” per Hoynes.

This means that if Quantrill was not designated for assignment, then the Guardians would have parted ways with him immediately.

This is because according to MLB.com, “When a club ‘non-tenders’ a player, it declines to give that player a contract for the upcoming season, thereby immediately making him a free agent."

In terms of Quantrill’s future, according to MLB.com, the Guardians can either trade or place him on waivers within seven days of designating him for assignment. If he is placed on waivers and goes unclaimed, then Quantrill would likely become a free agent.

Per Hoynes, “Antonetti said if Quantrill becomes a free agent -- he could get claimed on waivers -- they will try to re-sign him. But that doesn’t seem likely.”