The Cleveland Guardians have opened up a spot on their 40-man roster by outrighting veteran outfielder Myles Straw, allowing them to create room for new talent. They placed Straw on waivers, expecting he would go unclaimed due to the over $14 million remaining on his contract from a five-year deal he signed in 2022.
Straw initially impressed in 2021, with a solid batting average and strong defense, which led to his contract extension. However, his performance has declined sharply since then, with a .229 batting average over the past two seasons and a poor showing in Triple-A during 2024.
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Although he remains an excellent fielder and fast baserunner, Straw’s inability to hit has rendered him unplayable at the major league level. He has appeared in just seven MLB games this year, starting only once, and the Guardians have not shown a willingness to promote him from the minors. This situation marks a rare misstep for the team’s front office, led by Chris Antonetti.
