Myles Straw Contract: Will Cleveland Guardians Decline The 2027 Option?
As the Cleveland Guardians navigate the critical stretch of the 2026 MLB season, front office executives are quietly preparing for a major financial resolution regarding the Myles Straw contract. Once viewed as a cornerstone of the team's outfield defense, the veteran outfielder's lucrative extension is nearing its guaranteed conclusion, leaving the organization with a definitive choice to make before the winter.
| Contract Parameter | Details & Financials |
|---|---|
| Total Contract Value | $25,000,000 (5 Years, 2022-2026) |
| Current 2026 Salary | $7,000,000 (Guaranteed) |
| 2027 Club Option | $8,000,000 ($1,750,000 Buyout) |
| 2028 Club Option | $8,500,000 ($500,000 Buyout) |
| Service Time Status | Under team control via options |
| Current Assignment | Triple-A Columbus / Guardians Depth |
Context & Background
In April 2022, the Cleveland Guardians locked up Myles Straw with a five-year, $25 million contract extension. Fresh off an impressive 2021 campaign and possessing elite speed and Gold Glove-caliber outfield defense, Straw seemed like the perfect long-term fit for Progressive Field's spacious outfield.
However, the offensive regression that followed heavily complicated his standing. Despite winning a Gold Glove in 2022, Straw's hitting metrics plummeted over the subsequent seasons. By the start of the 2024 season, his struggles at the plate led to him being outrighted to Triple-A Columbus. Because his $25 million deal was fully guaranteed, Cleveland has continued to pay his premium salary, including a peak payroll hit of $7,000,000 in 2026, despite him spending significant time in the minor leagues.
Impact & Utility
The financial implications of the Myles Straw contract have weighed heavily on Cleveland's mid-market payroll flexibility. Keeping a defensive specialist on a $7 million salary in Triple-A or as a bench utility player has limited the front office's ability to pursue active impact bats.
For the Guardians, the utility of Straw remains strictly defensive. If called up for stretch-run depth in August 2026, he provides elite late-game outfield replacement value and pinch-running capabilities. However, with younger, more cost-effective outfielders occupying the major league roster, Straw’s path to regular playing time in Cleveland is virtually blocked.
From an administrative standpoint, the contract details present a clear exit strategy. The deal includes an $8,000,000 club option for 2027 with a $1,750,000 buyout. Cleveland is highly expected to trigger this buyout, freeing up a roster spot and saving $6.25 million in net cash for the upcoming offseason.
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What's Next
With the 2026 MLB regular season winding down, the Guardians are expected to delay any official announcement on Straw's contract status until the quiet period immediately following the World Series.
Barring an unforeseen roster crisis or a sudden trade where Cleveland eats the remaining salary, the organization will decline his 2027 option. Once the $1.75 million buyout is processed, Straw will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career. This transition will allow him to seek a fresh start with an organization willing to offer a major league opportunity, while Cleveland finally gains relief from a contract that did not yield the expected offensive dividends.
