With MLB free agency looming, the Browns season already being all but over, and the Cavaliers on the hottest start in franchise history, I began pondering a question. That questing being, is Cleveland a destination for free agents in each of it’s three major league sports franchises. The imidate answer to this question is no, due to Cleveland being a small market however there is evidence that this is not exactly the case. Today we will take a trip down memory lane to answer the question, is Cleveland a free agent destination.

Cleveland Browns:

LeCharles Bentley (2006)

Bentley was a Pro Bowl center and considered one of the top free agents in the NFL when the Browns signed him. Unfortunately, his career was derailed by a severe knee injury during his first practice with Cleveland. It is of note that Bentley is from Cleveland and was a childhood Browns fan.

Jack Conklin (2020)

A key piece in the Browns’ offensive line rebuild, Conklin came to Cleveland after a strong stint with the Tennessee Titans. Conklin at right tackle helped the Browns establish one of the best offensive lines in the NFL and reach the playoffs in 2020.

Cleveland Cavaliers:

LeBron James (2014)

After leaving Cleveland in 2010 to join the Miami Heat, LeBron James  returned home in 2014, leading the Cavaliers to four straight NBA Finals and an NBA Championship in 2016, Cleveland’s first major sports championship in 52 years.

Shaquille O’Neal (2009)

Near the end of his illustrious career, Shaq signed with the Cavaliers in an attempt to help LeBron win a title. While he was a shell of his former, all-nba self, O’Neal was still a massive name in the greater scope of basketball fandom at this point.

Cleveland Guardians:

Eddie Murray (1994)

The Guardians signed Hall of Famer Eddie Murray to add veteran leadership to their young roster. Murray helped lead the team to the 1995 World Series (Batting .385 in that series), and his presence was vital in changing the culture of Cleveland baseball in the 1990s when the team was historically horrible during the 70-80s.

Nick Swisher (2013)

A former All-Star with the Yankees, Swisher was seen as a key free-agent acquisition for the Guardians, helping the team try to re-establish itself as a contender. His tenure in Cleveland was marred by injuries, but he was a major name at the time of his signing and a rare instance of the Dolan family shelling out money for a big name free agent.

Now that we have looked at history what is the answer? Is Cleveland a free agent destination? The answer? Kind of. Cleveland has history of being able to attract big names, however the biggest names they have attracted join Cleveland due to their connection with the city, i.e. LeCharles Bentley and LeBron James. The other caviot to this is when a Cleveland team does well, agents will sign such as Swisher and Shaq. This list also excludes players who have been traded to Cleveland and then sign long term contracts to stay in Cleveland once they take in the fan base, culture and of course potential money. Look, Cleveland will never be the New York’s and L.A.’s of the world but if a Cleveland franchise is doing well, there is no telling who may show up representing the city next especially if they are from the Northeast Ohio area.