Shawn Armstrong

Cleveland Guardians, Relief Pitcher
Age: 35y-6m-6d (Sep 11, 1990)
Exp: 7.113 Years
Country: US
College: East Carolina (NC)
Drafted: Round 18 (#548 overall), 2011
Agent(s): ISE Baseball
2026 Payroll Salary

$4,000,000

2026 Cash

$4,000,000

Career Earnings

$7,905,921

2026-2027 Free Agent (CURRENT)

Shawn Armstrong signed a 1 year, $5,500,000 contract with the Cleveland Guardians, including $5,500,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $5,500,000. In 2026, Armstrong will earn a base salary of $4,000,000, while carrying a total salary of $4,000,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $5,500,000
Average Salary:
$5,500,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2028 / UFA
YOS @ Signing:
7.113
Year Age YOS Status PayrollAnnual Luxury Tax Tax % League Tax Cash Annual Cash Cumulative
2026 35 7.113 $4,000,000 $5,500,000 2.25% $4,000,000 $4,000,000
2027 36 7.113
Mutual
 $8,000,000 $5,500,000 - $1,500,000 $5,500,000
2028 37 -
UFA
Year Age Service Status Base Salary Incentives Likely Incentives Unlikely Payroll Salary Luxury Tax
2026 35 7.113 $4,000,000 - - $4,000,000 $5,500,000
2027 36 -
Mutual
 $8,000,000 - - $8,000,000 $5,500,000
2028 37 --
UFA
Year Age Status Base Salary Cash Total Cash Cumulative Cash Remaining AYC Cumulative AYC Remaining
2026 35 $4,000,000 $4,000,000 $4,000,000 $5,500,000 $4,000,000 $2,750,000
2027 36
Mutual
 $1,500,000 $1,500,000 $5,500,000 $1,500,000 $2,750,000 $1,500,000
Contract Notes
  • 2027 Mutual Option includes a $1.5M buyout
  • Cy Young
    1st: $250,000
    2nd-3rd: $150,000
    4th-5th: $75,000
  • All-Star: $100,000
  • WS MVP: $100,000
  • Reliever of the Year
    1st: $100,000
    2nd: $50,000
  • LCS MVP: $50,000
Source: MLB contract specifics generally collected from verified reports.

2025-2025 Free Agent

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $1,250,000
Average Salary:
$1,250,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2026 / UFA
YOS @ Signing:
6.113
Spotrac Premium Tools
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2024-2024 Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $2,050,000
Average Salary:
$2,050,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
5.113
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2023-2023 Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $1,200,000
Average Salary:
$1,200,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
4.113
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2022-2022 free-agent-restricted

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $700,000
Average Salary:
$700,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
3.129
Spotrac Premium Tools
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2022-2022 free-agent-restricted

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $1,000,000
Average Salary:
$1,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
3.129
Spotrac Premium Tools
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2021-2021 Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $825,000
Average Salary:
$825,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
3.028
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2020-2020 Pre-Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $573,500
Average Salary:
$573,500
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
2.028
Spotrac Premium Tools
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2019-2019 Pre-Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $559,100
Average Salary:
$559,100
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
1.028
Spotrac Premium Tools
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2018-2018 Pre-Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $545,000
Average Salary:
$545,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
0.166
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2017-2017 Pre-Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $535,700
Average Salary:
$535,700
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
0.074
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2016-2016 Pre-Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $507,500
Average Salary:
$507,500
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
0.041
Spotrac Premium Tools
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2015-2015 Pre-Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $507,500
Average Salary:
$507,500
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
0
Spotrac Premium Tools
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2011-2011 Signing Bonus

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $325,000
Average Salary:
$325,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
0
Spotrac Premium Tools
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Seasons

7.113 Years

Career Earnings thru 2026

$7,905,921

Earnings w/ Different Teams

8 teams

Earnings Per Year

Year Age Team(s) Service Status Cash Total Cash Cumulative Awards
2011 20
-
Signing Bonus
$325,000
$325,000
2015 24
0
Active
$108,155
$433,155
2016 25
0.041
Active
$88,736
$521,891
2017 26
0.074
Active
$137,569
$659,460
2018 27
0.166
Active
$99,620
$759,080
2019 28
1.028
Active
Retained
$465,930
$87,174
$1,225,010
$1,312,184
2020 29
2.028
Active
$212,407
$1,524,591
2021 30
3.028
Reserve / Arb Avoided
Retained
$731,775
$288,275
$2,256,366
$2,544,641
2022 31
3.129
Active
Retained
$700,000
$161,280
$3,244,641
$3,405,921
2023 32
4.113
Active / Arb Avoided
$1,200,000
$4,605,921
2024 33
5.113
Retained
Retained
Retained
$1,388,680
$352,704
$308,616
$5,994,601
$6,347,305
$6,655,921
2025 34
6.113
Active
$1,250,000
$7,905,921
Total      
$7,905,921
$7,905,921
2026 35
7.113
Active
$4,000,000
2027 36
7.113
Active / Mutual
$1,500,000
Total
$13,405,921

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Incentives Cash Cumulative
4 $414,969 $325,000 - $659,460
2 $186,794 - - $186,794
3 $966,612 - - $966,612
4 $4,020,455 - - $4,020,455
1 $161,280 - - $161,280
1 $352,704 - - $352,704
1 $308,616 - - $308,616
1 $1,250,000 - - $1,250,000
Year Team(s) Age Base Signing Incentives Cash Total Cash Cumulative
2011
20
$325,000
$325,000
$325,000
2015
24
$108,155
$108,155
$433,155
2016
25
$88,736
$88,736
$521,891
2017
26
$218,078
$137,569
$659,460
2018
27
$99,620
$99,620
$759,080
2019
28
$465,930
$87,174
$465,930
$87,174
$1,225,010
$1,312,184
2020
29
$212,407
$212,407
$1,524,591
2021
30
$731,775
$288,275
$731,775
$288,275
$2,256,366
$2,544,641
2022
31
$700,000
$161,280
$700,000
$161,280
$3,244,641
$3,405,921
2023
32
$1,200,000
$1,200,000
$4,605,921
2024
33
$1,388,680
$352,704
$308,616
$1,388,680
$352,704
$308,616
$5,994,601
$6,347,305
$6,655,921
2025
34
$1,250,000
$1,250,000
$7,905,921
Total
$7,661,430
$325,000
$7,905,921
$7,905,921
2026
35
$4,000,000
$4,000,000
2027
36
$1,500,000
$1,500,000
Total
$13,161,430
$325,000
$13,405,921

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Incentives Cash Cumulative
4 $414,969 $325,000 - $659,460
2 $186,794 - - $186,794
3 $966,612 - - $966,612
4 $4,020,455 - - $4,020,455
1 $161,280 - - $161,280
1 $352,704 - - $352,704
1 $308,616 - - $308,616
1 $1,250,000 - - $1,250,000

Injuries

Year Dates Reason
2023 TB Mar 30, 2023 - Jun 03, 2023 Neck
2021 BAL Apr 04, 2021 - Apr 05, 2021 COVID-19
2020 BAL Aug 29, 2020 - Sep 22, 2020 Shoulder
2019 BAL Aug 22, 2019 - Sep 01, 2019 Arm
2019 SEA Mar 28, 2019 - Apr 12, 2019 Undisclosed
  • Dec 18, 2025 Signed a 1 year $5.5 million contract with Cleveland (CLE), including a 2027 mutual option
  • Nov 02, 2025 Released by Texas (TEX)
  • Dec 23, 2024 Signed a 1 year $1.25 million contract with Texas (TEX)
  • Sep 24, 2024 Released by Chicago (CHC)
  • Sep 20, 2024 Designated for Assignment by Chicago (CHC)
  • Aug 30, 2024 Claimed off waivers by Chicago (CHC)
  • Aug 27, 2024 Designated for Assignment by St. Louis (STL)
  • Jul 30, 2024
  • Jan 11, 2024 Signed a 1 year $2.05 million contract with Tampa Bay (TB), avoiding arbitration
  • Jan 13, 2023 Signed a 1 year $1.2 million contract with Tampa Bay (TB), avoiding arbitration
  • May 31, 2022 Contract purchased by Tampa Bay (TB)
  • May 11, 2022 Signed a minor league contract with Tampa Bay (TB)
  • May 06, 2022 Released by Miami (MIA) after player refused minor league assignment and elected Free Agency
  • May 04, 2022 Outrighted to the Minors by Miami (MIA)
  • May 02, 2022 Designated for Assignment by Miami (MIA)
  • Apr 07, 2022 Contract purchased by Miami (MIA)
  • Mar 13, 2022 Signed a minor league contract with Miami (MIA)
  • Oct 08, 2021 Released by Tampa Bay (TB)
  • Jul 30, 2021 Traded to Tampa Bay (TB) from Baltimore (BAL) for cash considerations
  • Dec 02, 2020 Signed a contract with Baltimore (BAL), avoiding arbitration
  • Mar 05, 2020 Signed a 1 year $573,500 contract with Baltimore (BAL)
  • Apr 28, 2019 Claimed off waivers by Baltimore (BAL)
  • Mar 05, 2019 Signed a 1 year $559,100 contract with Seattle (SEA)
  • Dec 13, 2017 Traded to Seattle (SEA) from Cleveland (CLE) for International Bonus Pool Cap Space ($500,000)
  • Feb 24, 2017 Signed a 1 year $535,700 contract with Cleveland (CLE)
  • Mar 10, 2015 Signed a 1 year contract with Cleveland (CLE)
  • Aug 15, 2011 Signed a contract with Cleveland (CLE)
  • Jun 06, 2011 Drafted by Cleveland (CLE): Round 18 (#548 overall)
Year Team GP GS H R ER BB K HR W L SV IP ERA WHIP WAR
2025 TEX 71 2 40 21 19 20 74 5 4 3 9 74.0 2.31 0.81 1.45
2024 CHC 57 7 77 38 36 25 66 6 3 3 1 66.7 4.86 1.53 -0.32
2023 TB 38 6 36 12 8 11 54 2 1 0 0 52.0 1.39 0.90 1.67
2022 TB 50 3 66 32 30 17 66 7 2 2 2 61.7 4.38 1.35 0.21
2021 TB 31 0 39 28 27 15 44 10 1 0 0 36.0 6.75 1.50 -0.60
2020 BAL 14 0 9 6 3 3 14 1 2 0 0 15.0 1.80 0.80 0.33
2019 BAL 56 1 66 38 37 29 63 8 1 2 5 58.0 5.74 1.64 -0.09
2018 SEA 14 0 9 2 2 3 15 1 0 1 1 14.7 1.23 0.82 0.64
2017 CLE 21 0 23 12 12 10 20 5 1 0 0 24.7 4.38 1.34 0.14
2016 CLE 10 0 9 3 3 5 7 1 0 0 0 10.7 2.53 1.31 0.27
2015 CLE 8 0 5 2 2 2 11 1 0 0 0 8.0 2.25 0.88 0.18

Calculated Market Value

$4.0M Avg. Annual Salary

Market Value

  • 1 years, $3,953,000
  • Avg. Salary: $3,953,000
  • MLB Rank: 337
  • RP Rank: 63

Current Contract

  • Free Agent: 2028
  • Avg. Salary: $5,500,000
  • MLB Rank: 276
  • RP Rank: 46

Comparable Players

We've selected the following players based on their age, contract status, and statistical production to compare Shawn Armstrong to.

Player Length Value Avg. Salary Age When Signed
Hoby Milner 1 $2,500,000 $2,500,000 33
Tim Mayza 1 $1,150,000 $1,150,000 33
Brent Suter 1 $2,500,000 $2,500,000 35
Andrew Kittredge 1 $10,000,000 $10,000,000 34
Averages 1 $4,037,500 $4,037,500 33.8

Base Calculated Value

After adjusting the above contracts as if signed at Armstrong's current age (35), a linear regression is performed, providing us with the following initial value.

Length Value Avg. Salary
1 $4,000,000 $4,000,000

Statistical Comparisons

Now we'll compare our variables and Armstrong statistically over the two seasons prior to their signing. In this case we're analyzing: GP/Yr, SV, ERA, WHIP, K/9, BB/9, FIP, WAR

Player GP/Yr SV ERA WHIP K/9 BB/9 FIP WAR
Hoby Milner
2023-2024
 66.50 0.01 3.28 1.08 8.58 1.88 3.14 0.59
Tim Mayza
2023-2024
 58.50 0.01 3.93 1.42 7.42 2.84 3.55 0.48
Brent Suter
2023-2024
 52.00 0.02 3.27 1.22 6.99 2.44 3.88 1.40
Andrew Kittredge
2023-2024
 44.00 0.02 2.95 1.17 8.12 2.04 3.70 1.41
Average 55.25 0.02 3.36 1.22 7.78 2.30 3.57 0.97
Shawn Armstrong
2024-2025
 53.50 0.04 3.84 1.19 9.10 3.09 3.46 0.13
Pct Change -3.17 100.00 -14.29 2.46 16.97 -34.35 3.08 -86.60
Median Prime % Change -0.36%
Average Prime % Change -1.99%

Calculated Market Value: Shawn Armstrong

After applying our Prime % figures into our base calculated value, we're given two values. The average of these values becomes our current calculated market value.

Terms Avg. Salary
1 years, $3,953,000 $3,953,000
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