CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians avoided arbitration with three players Friday, agreeing to major league contracts with All-Star David Fry as well as reliever Matt Festa and outfielder Nolan Jones ahead of Major League Baseball’s non-tender deadline.

As expected, All-Star left fielder Steven Kwan was among the remaining unsigned 32 arbitration-eligible and pre-arbitration players on Cleveland’s 40-man roster who were tendered contracts.

Kwan and the Guardians can still negotiate as they move forward with the arbitration process, either avoiding arbitration with Kwan signing a one-year deal before hearings in January or working out a multiyear contract extension in the interim.

Kwan, who is in his final year of arbitration eligibility, is expected to command a salary upwards of $8.8 million according to projections from MLBTradeRumors.com.

Fry, a 2024 All-Star, signed for $1.375 million, according to a source. Jones agreed at $2 million while Festa will make $1 million in 2025.

Jones was originally drafted by the Guardians in the second round (55th overall) of the 2016 MLB Draft and returned to Cleveland when the Guardians reacquired him from the Rockies in exchange for utility man Tyler Freeman. Prior to his return, Jones had broken out in Colorado in 2023, hitting .297 with 20 home runs and 20 steals.

In 1,064 career major league at-bats, the Langhorne, Pa., native has posted a .731 OPS that ranks just below league average. His 2025 campaign, however, proved difficult hitting just .211 with five home runs and 34 RBI. Despite a high hard-hit rate and good exit velocity, Jones’ numbers reflected poor outcomes and adjustment issues at the plate. He was sidelined late in the season with a right oblique strain and did not appear in the American League wild card series against Detroit.

Jones’ return to a crowded outfield mix could indicate the Guardians are exploring trade options that would either require his presence in order to provide depth, or signal his inclusion in a possible package to fill pitching needs.

Among the players not offered contracts were outfielder Will Brennan as well as relievers Sam Hentges and Nic Enright. Brennan, Enright and Hentges missed time in 2025 due to injuries, and are now free agents. Cleveland’s 40-man roster now stands at 38 players.

Brennan was developed by the Guardians after being selected in the eighth round of the 2019 MLB draft. He debuted in September of 2022 and appeared in five playoff games that season. In parts of four seasons with Cleveland he logged 218 hits, 14 home runs, 79 RBIs and a .267 average. Brennan entered 2025 fighting for a roster spot, but was left off the opening day roster after Jones was acquired from the Rockies.

He rejoined Cleveland in May but managed just 1 hit in 11 at-bats before experiencing left-elbow pain that ultimately led to season-ending elbow surgery in June.

Hentges, a fourth-round pick in 2014, debuted with the Guardians in 2021. He posted a 7-8 record and a 4.18 ERA with 223 strikeouts and a 1.335 WHIP in 206 2/3 innings. He emerged as a reliable left-handed reliever in 2022, going 3-2 with a 2.32 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 62 innings and a 3-2 record with a 3.61 ERA in 57 appearances in 2023. Hentges did not pitch in the majors in 2025 as he re covered from surgery to repair the labrum and capsule in his left shoulder. His rehab was derailed during the season when he underwent knee surgery in September.

Enright, who endured cancer treatment on his long road to the big leagues, made his big league debut with Cleveland in May and went on to make 27 relief appearances, compiling a 2-1 record and a 2.03 ERA, with 30 strikeouts in 31 innings.

The right-hander had worked his way into a leverage role in manager Stephen Vogt’s bullpen by August, but was sidelined by elbow and forearm inflammation that eventually led to surgery in late October.

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