Guardians Decline 2027 Options for Two Pitchers
The Cleveland Guardians move to clear space by declining contract options for Shawn Armstrong and Trevor Stephan.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Baseball
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The Cleveland Guardians have officially declined 2027 contract options for relief pitchers Shawn Armstrong and Trevor Stephan, making both players free agents. As part of these roster adjustments, the team also selected infielder Milan Tolentino to the organization's 40-man roster.
Why it matters
Declining these options allows the team to avoid significant financial commitments following the 2026 season, where both pitchers struggled with performance or injury. The move creates flexibility for the Guardians as they shape their bullpen and roster depth for the upcoming year.
Shawn Armstrong finished the 2026 season with a 4.58 ERA, while Trevor Stephan recorded an 11.12 ERA. The organization now holds 36 players on its 40-man roster following the promotion of Milan Tolentino, who hit 21 home runs in 2026.
The players
Cleveland Guardians
This professional baseball franchise is based in Cleveland and competes in the American League Central division.
Shawn Armstrong
He is a relief pitcher who was originally selected by the Cleveland organization in the 2011 MLB Draft.
Trevor Stephan
He is a professional baseball pitcher who has served as a key arm in the bullpen for the franchise.
Milan Tolentino
He is a professional infielder who played for the Triple-A Columbus affiliate before his promotion to the 40-man roster.
The details
Shawn Armstrong's $8 million mutual option was declined in favor of a $1.5 million buyout, while the $7.25 million club option for Trevor Stephan was rejected for a $1.25 million buyout. Milan Tolentino joins the major league roster from Triple-A Columbus after a productive season.
Timeline
October 30, 2026: The Cleveland Guardians declined the contract options and added Milan Tolentino to the 40-man roster.
November 17, 2026: Milan Tolentino will turn 25 years old.
Season Trajectory
The front office is leveraging the established MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement club option process to manage payroll flexibility. This decision reflects a calculated effort to prune veteran salaries while creating openings for internal prospects to compete for roster spots next year.
With 36 players now on the 40-man roster, the organization has four open spots to fill via free agency or trades before the season begins. Fans can look for these new vacancies to be filled as the team looks to replace the depth formerly provided by Armstrong and Stephan.
The takeaway
Front offices often use the option-declining period to reset payroll and evaluate the performance of veteran talent versus rising prospects. Maintaining a flexible 40-man roster allows teams to remain agile when high-value players hit the open market.
Further reading
For more on roster updates and team changes, visit Baseball.
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