Guardians predicted to cut ties with predicted $10 million All-Star

The Cleveland Guardians had a great 2024 season but now have decisions to make.

Cleveland showed a lot of grit and heart against the New York Yankees but was knocked out of the postseason in the American League Championship Series. The Guardians played above expectations and made it further than many expected them to.

The Guardians dealt with a plethora of injuries -- especially in the starting rotation -- and yet they were able to win 92 games in the regular season and finished atop the American League Central standings.

It was a great year for the Guardians, but they will have to make some decisions about internal players as free agency approaches. Cleveland has some players hitting free agency, including All-Star pitcher Alex Cobb.

He made just three starts with Cleveland this season and will be hitting free agency in the winter. He is projected to get a $10 million deal over one season, and FanSided's Cody Williams predicted that he won't be back.

"When the Guardians acquired veteran right-hander Alex Cobb from San Francisco at the trade deadline, it seemed like an exceptionally savvy move for a small-market team," Williams said. "Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way. Cobb only made three regular-season starts for the Guards, and, though that was for a 2.76 ERA and 1.04 WHIP, injuries continued to keep him off the mound. Then he got the ball in the postseason, and, well, it didn't go too well as the veteran gave up two runs in 3.0 innings in an (American League Division Series) loss to the (Detroit Tigers) and then conceded three runs in 2.2 innings in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Yankees.

"Now, with his contract expiring, it seems unlikely that the Guardians will aim to continue investing in the veteran. At 37 years old and following a season wherein health was a major issue, that seems like a risky investment for Cleveland to be making at best, so it's likely this trade is barely a footnote in the pitcher's career as well as the Guards' ledger."

Cobb was an All-Star in 2023, but injuries impacted his 2024 campaign. He will be a free agent this winter but may not be back in Cleveland.

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