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Guardians Fans Skeptical of Reported $40M Offer for NPB Slugger Franmil Reyes
Rumors of a potential MLB return for the former Cleveland star have left fans confused.
Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:25pm
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A report surfaced on social media that MLB teams are evaluating a potential $30-40 million contract offer for former Cleveland Guardians slugger Franmil Reyes, who has been playing in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league. The idea of Reyes, who struggled in his final MLB seasons, commanding such a high salary has left many Guardians fans skeptical and wondering if the news is simply an April Fools' Day prank.
Why it matters
Reyes was a beloved figure in Cleveland due to his raw power, but his production declined before he left for Japan's NPB league in 2024. If the reported MLB interest and contract offer are legitimate, it would signal a potential comeback attempt and a belief that Reyes' bat could translate back to the majors after his success in Japan.
The details
According to MLB insider Mike Rodriguez, teams are evaluating a 3-4 year contract worth $30-40 million for Reyes, who has hit 59 home runs in 239 games with a .891 OPS since joining the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's NPB. Reyes' career MLB OPS was .775, so the reported interest suggests evaluators believe his power production in Japan could translate back to MLB.
- Reyes left MLB to join the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's NPB league in 2024.
- The reported contract offer and MLB interest surfaced on April 1, 2026, the first week of the new MLB season.
The players
Franmil Reyes
A former slugger for the Cleveland Guardians who has been playing in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league since 2024, where he has hit 59 home runs in 239 games with a .891 OPS.
Mike Rodriguez
A reliable MLB insider with information about Latin American players.
What they’re saying
“Ummmm what? I'll agree on the power. But unless he rediscovers his old form before he fell apart?! $30-40 million?!?!”
— Sean Fitzgerald, Guardians Fan
What’s next
MLB teams will continue evaluating Reyes' potential return to the majors, but any deal would be unprecedented given the timing of the reported interest during the regular season.
The takeaway
The reported $30-40 million contract offer for Franmil Reyes has left many Guardians fans skeptical, as the slugger struggled in his final MLB seasons before finding success in Japan's NPB league. If legitimate, the interest signals evaluators believe Reyes' power could translate back to the majors, but the timing and dollar figures have sparked confusion and speculation that the news may be an April Fools' Day prank.
