Cal Quantrill DFA'd by Cleveland Guardians
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
In a surprising move, the Cleveland Guardians have designated Cal Quantrill for assignment. The 28-year-old right-hander was a vital member of the Guardians' starting rotation for the past three seasons, but he struggled in 2023. He was projected to earn around $6.6 million in salary arbitration for the 2024 season. The Guardians were unwilling to pay that amount, and they opted to DFA Quantrill and protect two of their young pitching prospects, Daniel Espino and Cade Smith.
Quantrill has two years of remaining control before he becomes a free agent. It is unclear what his future holds, but another team will likely pick him up.
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
There are a few reasons why the Guardians may have decided to DFA Quantrill. First, his performance in 2023 was a significant step back from his previous two seasons. In 2021 and 2022, Quantrill pitched to a combined 3.16 ERA in 299 innings. However, in 2023, his ERA ballooned to 5.24 in 99 2/3 innings, a career-low excluding the shortened 2020 season. Quantrill's 2023 season marked career worsts in hits per nine (10.0), walks per nine (3.2), and strikeouts per nine (5.2).
On top of the decline in performance, Quantrill's salary arbitration projection of $6.6 million was likely too high for the Guardians to keep him, with his recent injuries and performance. The Guardians are known for their frugal spending, and they were not willing to pay that amount for a pitcher coming off a down year; if Quantrill had stayed with the Guardians, he would have been one of the highest-paid players on the team.
The Guardians are looking to protect their young pitching prospects. Espino and Smith are both highly regarded prospects, and the Guardians want to make sure they have a spot for them on the 40-man roster. Furthermore, the Guardians saw strong performances from Tanner Bibee, a finalist for the AL Rookie of the Year award, and Gavin Williams, who posted a 3.29 ERA in 82 innings, striking out 81. With all of the young pitching talent in Cleveland, there isn't a reason to keep Quantrill with his decline in performance and price tag, along with keeping him in the organization.
Overall, the DFA of Cal Quantrill is a surprising move, but it is one that the Guardians felt was necessary. They are looking to protect their young pitching prospects and save money. As of November 17th, Quantrill was grabbed by the Colorado Rockies, hoping to return to his solid performances in 2021 and 2022.
