📢 TOP STORY: Breakout efforts across Cleveland’s rotation and bullpen lead to sizeable bonuses, marking a massive win for the Guardians’ pitching core ⚡.NL

In 2025, the Cleveland Guardians leaned heavily on a trio of young arms – Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, and Cade Smith – and the results spoke volumes. Not only did these three help anchor the pitching staff through the grind of a long season, but they also earned recognition in the form of payouts from MLB’s $50 million pre-arbitration bonus pool. It’s a system designed to reward top-performing players who haven’t yet hit arbitration, and all three Guardians pitchers cashed in.

Let’s break it down.

Gavin Williams: Emergence of an Ace

Of the group, Gavin Williams arguably made the biggest leap. After battling injuries early in his career, Williams finally put together a full season – and it was a good one.

He posted a 3.06 ERA over 167 2/3 innings, striking out 173 batters. Sure, he led the majors with 83 walks, but when you’re missing bats and limiting damage the way Williams did, you can live with some wildness.

The highlight? A near no-hitter against the Mets in August, where he came within two outs of making history.

That kind of dominance doesn’t just show up in the box score – it sets the tone for a rotation. Williams earned $342,481 from the bonus pool, a nod to just how valuable he was in 2025.

Heading into next season, he’s penciled in as one of the Guardians’ top arms – and rightfully so.

Tanner Bibee: Steady, Durable, Reliable

Tanner Bibee might not have had the eye-popping ERA of Williams, but his value came in his consistency and workload. He threw 182 1/3 innings, went 12-11, and finished with a 4.24 ERA. After a slow start to the year, Bibee found his groove when it mattered most, helping the Guardians make their postseason push.

Cleveland showed its belief in Bibee early, locking him into a five-year, $48 million deal back in spring training. That kind of commitment is rare for a pre-arbitration pitcher, but Bibee backed it up with a season that showed he’s more than capable of carrying a heavy load in the rotation. His $217,235 payout from the bonus pool is just another reminder of the value he brought to the club.

Cade Smith: From Set-Up Man to Closer

Then there’s Cade Smith, who quietly became one of the most important arms in Cleveland’s bullpen. He started the year as a high-leverage set-up man behind Emmanuel Clase, but by the end of the season, Smith had taken over as the Guardians’ closer.

He was dominant in that role, and his transition into the ninth inning was seamless. For a team that has relied on bullpen depth in recent years, Smith’s rise was critical. He earned $295,820 from the bonus pool – a solid reward for a breakout season that likely sets him up as the unquestioned closer heading into 2026.

The Bigger Picture

None of the three Guardians pitchers took home major awards in 2025, but that doesn’t diminish what they accomplished. The pre-arbitration bonus pool is built to reward players based on individual performance, even without hardware, using a formula centered around WAR (Wins Above Replacement). And clearly, all three Guardians arms made a strong impression.

While Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes topped the list with a $3.4 million payout after a Cy Young-winning campaign, and Philadelphia’s Cristopher Sánchez and Houston’s Hunter Brown followed with $2.7 million and $2.2 million respectively, the Guardians’ trio still carved out their place among the league’s top young performers.

For Cleveland, this is more than just a financial footnote – it’s a sign that their young core is not only developing but producing at a high level. Williams, Bibee, and Smith aren’t just the future of the Guardians’ pitching staff – they’re already leading the way.