Tag: Cleveland Guardians

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MLB (Baseball)

The Cleveland Guardians have their starting rotation locked in, but outfield positions remain uncertain

Logan Allen pitches in the 1st inning (MLB)

Stephen Vogt has set the pitching rotation for the start of the season. However, the Cleveland Guardians’ manager and front office still need to address other roster issues before Thursday’s opener against Kansas City.

On Sunday, during a meeting with reporters at the team’s spring training complex and via Zoom, Vogt confirmed that Logan Allen will be the fifth starter, and Triston McKenzie will begin the season in the bullpen.

Allen has had a strong spring performance. In six games, including three starts, the left-hander is 1-0 with a 1.89 ERA, one save, and 19 strikeouts.

“Like I told him, completely different pitcher than the one I saw last year, and that’s a credit to him and the work he put in this winter,” Vogt said about Allen, who finished last season with an 8-5 record and a 5.73 ERA, giving up 22 home runs in 20 starts.

Tanner Bibee, who signed a five-year, $48 million contract on Saturday, will be the ace of the staff for at least the first part of the season. Gavin Williams, Luis Ortiz, Ben Lively, and Allen will round out the rotation for the defending AL Central champions.

McKenzie could return to the rotation later but has struggled with control. In 12 innings of Cactus League action, he has allowed 15 hits, including three home runs, and walked seven batters.

Last season, McKenzie gave up 19 home runs in his first 16 starts, which led the MLB, before being sent to Triple-A Columbus for the rest of the season.

Despite this, Vogt remains confident McKenzie can turn things around.

Nolan Jones backs off an inside pitch in the 3rd inning

“We continue to believe that the best version of our team has Tristan McKenzie in the rotation,” Vogt said. “Just right now with where we are as a team, we feel like the bullpen is a place where he can thrive. I think for him to come in and use his stuff to attack hitters from pitch number one could be a huge thing for him.”

The biggest remaining question for the Guardians’ roster is the outfield, especially in right field. Nolan Jones returns to the organization after being traded from Colorado for infielder/outfielder Tyler Freeman.

Jones was a second-round pick by Cleveland in the 2016 amateur draft but was traded to Colorado after the 2022 season. He finished fourth in the 2023 NL Rookie of the Year voting after hitting .297 with 20 home runs. However, Jones struggled last season, batting .227 with three home runs and playing only 79 games due to a lingering lower back strain.

Out of Jones’ 195 career outfield appearances, 129 have been in left field. The Guardians are set in left field with Steven Kwan, and Lane Thomas is the expected starter in center. Jhonkensy Noel is the likely choice for right field, with Jones and Will Brennan competing for the final roster spot.

Vogt told Brennan on Friday that he had made the opening day roster, but after the trade for Jones, he called Brennan again on Saturday night to say the situation remained fluid.

“For Nolan, he’s walking into a building full of people who love and care about him and are thrilled to see him back. He’s got a clean slate, and I’m excited to see what he can do,” Vogt said.

General manager Mike Chernoff explained that their previous familiarity with Jones helped them move quickly to make the trade.

“We felt like it was an opportunity to add a left-handed, impact-type bat that has the potential to have an impact in the outfield, which we felt like we really needed,” Chernoff said. “We felt that this move had the chance to make us better not only this year but in the future.”

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MLB (Baseball)

Reliever Paul Sewald has reached a one-year, $7 million deal with the Cleveland Guardians

Paul Sewald reacts after the final out

The Cleveland Guardians have signed reliever Paul Sewald to a one-year, $7 million contract, strengthening their bullpen with a reliable setup man for closer Emmanuel Clase.

Sewald’s Career and Contract Details

Sewald, a 34-year-old right-handed pitcher, has been in the majors for eight years and has recorded 84 saves. His new deal includes a $1 million signing bonus, a $5 million salary for this season, and the possibility to earn up to $500,000 in performance bonuses based on his relief appearances. He can earn $100,000 for 40 appearances and additional bonuses for every five appearances up to 60. The contract also includes a $10 million mutual option for 2026, with a $1 million buyout.

Roster Moves and Other Changes

To make room for Sewald on the roster, the Guardians designated right-hander Pedro Avila for assignment. Additionally, they signed right-hander Riley Pint to a minor league contract.

Paul Sewald pitches in the ninth inning

Sewald’s Performance and Injury History

Last year, Sewald posted a 4.31 ERA and 16 saves with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He lost his closer role in August and faced injury challenges, including a strained left oblique that delayed his season debut until May 7, and neck discomfort that limited him after September 8. His fastball velocity decreased from 92.2 mph to 91.4 mph.

Sewald’s Past Teams

Throughout his career, Sewald has played for the New York Mets (2017-2020), Seattle Mariners (2021-2023), and Arizona Diamondbacks (2023-2024), with a career record of 20-25 and a 4.09 ERA. In 2023, he had a $7.35 million, one-year contract with the Diamondbacks.

Avila’s Contribution to the Guardians

Pedro Avila, who was recently designated for assignment, contributed significantly to the Guardians’ bullpen last season. He appeared in 50 games and posted a 3.25 ERA. The team acquired him from San Diego in April, and he played an essential role in long relief. Avila is the third reliever to leave the AL Central champions this offseason, following Eli Morgan and Nick Sandlin, who were both traded.

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MLB (Baseball)

The Blue Jays traded for outfielder Myles Straw and received $2 million in pool space from the Guardians, but failed to sign Roki Sasaki

Cleveland Guardians’ Myles Straw catches a fly ball during the ninth inning of a baseball

The Toronto Blue Jays traded for struggling outfielder Myles Straw and $2 million in international signing bonus pool space from the Cleveland Guardians on Friday.

The money could have been used by the Blue Jays in their attempt to sign Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki. However, hours later, Sasaki revealed on Instagram that he would be joining the Los Angeles Dodgers, the reigning World Series champions.

Cleveland will send $3.75 million to Toronto to help cover part of the $14.75 million remaining on Straw’s contract for the final two years of his $25 million, five-year deal. In exchange, the Guardians will receive either a player to be named later or cash.

This trade raised the Blue Jays’ international signing pool to $8,261,600. As of Wednesday, when the 2025 signing window opened, the team had not signed any players, leaving the entire amount available for Sasaki.

However, despite their efforts, Sasaki chose to sign with the Dodgers rather than the Blue Jays or San Diego Padres, who were also among the top contenders. Sasaki had until next Thursday to sign with a major league team, and since he is considered an international amateur by MLB, he is only eligible for a minor league contract, which falls under the same bonus pool rules as Latin American prospects.

Roki Sasaki
Roki Sasaki (NFL)

Los Angeles’ pool of $5,146,200 ranked 29th among the 30 teams, just ahead of Cleveland’s $4,908,600 after the trade. San Diego had a pool of $6,261,000.

The Dodgers, Blue Jays, and Padres had not signed any international amateurs yet, while the Padres had signed only three players, each for $10,000 bonuses. Any bonuses above $10,000 count against the pool.

Straw, who has a salary of $6 million this year and $7 million in 2026, is also guaranteed a $1.75 million buyout for a 2027 team option. Cleveland will send Toronto $1 million this year, $1 million in 2026, and $1.75 million at the end of 2026.

Cleveland signed Straw to his long-term deal in April 2022, but his performance did not meet expectations. In 2022, he batted just .221 with no home runs, 32 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases. In 2023, he improved slightly, hitting .238 with one homer, 29 RBIs, and 20 steals.

Last April, Straw was sent down to Triple-A Columbus, where he hit .240 with three home runs, 47 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases. He returned to the big leagues in September, playing in seven games and going 1 for 4.

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MLB (Baseball)

MLB Takes Over Local Broadcasts for Guardians, Brewers, and Twins in Major 2025 Shift

MLB Takes Over Local Broadcasts for Guardians, Brewers, and Twins in Major 2025 Shift
MLB Takes Over Local Broadcasts for Guardians, Brewers, and Twins in Major 2025 Shift

On Tuesday, Major League Baseball (MLB) announced that it will take over the production and distribution of local broadcasts for the Cleveland Guardians, Milwaukee Brewers, and Minnesota Twins starting next season. This follows the expiration of the teams’ contracts with Diamond Sports Group at the end of the 2024 regular season. With this move, MLB expands its control over regional broadcasts, adding to its existing responsibility for the San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Colorado Rockies, marking a significant step in its broader broadcasting strategy for 2025.

The Texas Rangers, whose contract with Diamond also ended recently, have decided to part ways with the company. They are currently exploring their options for next season. MLB’s decision to handle broadcasts for the Guardians, Brewers, and Twins is part of a larger initiative to increase the market reach of teams by at least 2 million households per market, an effort already proven successful with the Diamondbacks, who saw a major increase in their reach after MLB took over their broadcasts.

MLB Takes Over Local Broadcasts for Guardians, Brewers, and Twins in Major 2025 Shift
MLB Takes Over Local Broadcasts for Guardians, Brewers, and Twins in Major 2025 Shift

For the Twins, this change comes with challenges, as they will no longer receive the rights fees previously provided by Diamond. Despite this, team president Dave St. Peter assured fans that the loss would not impact player spending for the upcoming season. MLB’s new broadcasting model will lead to a reduction in local revenue for the Twins in 2025, but St. Peter expressed confidence that over time, increased viewership and the economics associated with it would lead to greater long-term benefits for the team.

The Cleveland Guardians and Minnesota Twins will see dramatic increases in their broadcast reach, with the Guardians’ availability expanding from 1.45 million to 4.86 million households, and the Twins’ from 1.08 million to 4.4 million. Schlesinger, president of business operations for the Brewers, also expects significant growth in his team’s reach. He noted that while the new model requires substantial investments in infrastructure, it presents a unique opportunity to expand fan access without the limitations of blackouts.

The move comes at a pivotal time for Diamond Sports Group, which is undergoing bankruptcy proceedings. As the company reworks its finances, MLB could take over additional teams’ broadcasts, with Diamond potentially focusing only on the Atlanta Braves by 2025. Despite short-term financial concerns, the teams involved in MLB’s new broadcast model are optimistic about the long-term benefits, including the shift towards a direct-to-consumer model, which they believe will increase fan access and ultimately generate more revenue.

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MLB (Baseball)

Shane Bieber says his strong connections with the team played a key role in his decision to re-sign with the Guardians after missing the 2024 season due to elbow surgery

Shane Bieber (MLB)

Shane Bieber’s return to Cleveland carries special significance on multiple levels.

The former Cy Young winner re-signed with the Guardians on Wednesday, a move that seemed unlikely when he became a free agent after last season. However, the 29-year-old decided to stay with the AL Central champions after making only two starts in 2024 before undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Bieber had other offers, but none of them matched what he already had in Cleveland.

“It’s the relationships,” Bieber said on a Zoom call. “The development staff. The coaching staff. My teammates. Having continuity and familiarity in those realms I feel like can prove beneficial not only to me but my family and everybody really involved.

“That was big for me to feel confident in my rehab where I’m at right now. Nobody knows me as well as Cleveland does and vice versa, so I’m happy to be continuing with them.”

Bieber agreed to a one-year, $14 million contract last week, which includes a $16 million player option for 2026.

Cleveland Guardians players celebrate after the win

At one point, it seemed like Bieber, who has a 62-32 record with a 3.22 ERA in 132 starts over seven seasons with Cleveland, would leave for another team. He had previously turned down long-term offers from the Guardians, and it was expected he would join another contender, likely on the West Coast.

But the California native has a special bond with the Guardians, who picked him in the fourth round of the 2016 draft. Even though the injury and surgery were setbacks, they helped Bieber realize that he was already in the right place.

“I had plenty of great meetings and beneficial and progressive meetings with other ball clubs,” he said. “Everybody handled everything first class all the way, and I’ve got great things to say about plenty of other organizations.

“Cleveland made the call and I was happy to receive it and come to terms and so I’m happy with where I’m at. My family’s ecstatic. It was very clearly the right decision for not only myself, my family, and we’re excited to continue it.”

Bieber, who won the AL Cy Young Award in 2020, pitched only 12 innings last season before his elbow issues led to surgery. He is expected to return to Cleveland’s rotation in 2025.

He’s been throwing three times a week at 90 feet and is encouraged by his progress. However, there’s no clear timeline for when he’ll return to game action.

“I’m pushing, pushing, pushing,” he said. “I feel great. I haven’t skipped a beat. When I ask for a (return) date, they don’t even give me a date. So there’s a long way to go.”

A two-time All-Star, Bieber gained national attention in 2019 when he was named MVP of the All-Star Game in Cleveland. He has the highest strikeout ratio per nine innings (10.2) and third-highest winning percentage (.660) in the franchise’s 124-year history.

Bieber is one of just three Cleveland pitchers to start five season openers, joining Stan Coveleski (1917-21) and Corey Kluber (2015-19).

Shane Bieber (MLB)

Although Bieber had some elbow problems in the past, he didn’t appear to be struggling before being sidelined. He struck out 11 in six scoreless innings against Oakland on March 28, and then threw another six shutout innings at Seattle on April 2.

However, just days later, his season was over. He became emotional during a news conference at Progressive Field, realizing that baseball, as he knew it, would have to take a backseat for now.

Bieber said it took time to fully accept his new reality. He focused on his recovery and found comfort in watching his teammates succeed in what turned out to be an unexpected season, leading to a division title.

Even though he wasn’t on the field contributing in his usual way, the challenges of the season gave him a fresh perspective.

“It’s provided a lot of perspective,” he said. “It was a hard season this year for me and my family, but it was a great one. We’re expecting a baby and it was a season full of growth and I’m very excited to continue that into 2025.”

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MLB (Baseball)

The Guardians have traded Gold Glove second baseman Andrés Giménez to the Blue Jays in exchange for right-handed pitcher Luis Ortiz in a deal with the Pirates

Andres Gimenez watches from the dugout

The Cleveland Guardians made some big moves to reshape their team and strengthen their rotation.

On Tuesday night, during the winter meetings in Dallas, the AL Central champions made two important trades. First, they sent three-time Gold Glove second baseman Andrés Giménez to the Toronto Blue Jays. Along with Giménez, the Guardians traded reliever Nick Sandlin to Toronto in exchange for infielder Spencer Horwitz and outfielder Nick Mitchell.

Cleveland didn’t keep Horwitz long, as they quickly traded him to the Pittsburgh Pirates in return for three pitchers: right-handed Luis Ortiz and lefties Michael Kennedy and Josh Hartle. Ortiz, who had a strong season last year with a 7-6 record and a 3.32 ERA, could immediately take a starting role.

The Guardians recently re-signed their ace, Shane Bieber, but he might not be able to pitch until June after having Tommy John surgery. These were the first trades made during this year’s winter meetings.

Luis Ortiz pitches in the 5th inning

Ortiz, 25, had his best season in the majors last year. He set career highs in wins, strikeouts (107), innings pitched (135 2/3), ERA, and WHIP (1.11). He started the 2024 season in the bullpen, with a 2.51 ERA in 20 appearances, before moving into the rotation in June. Ortiz even pitched six scoreless innings against the Guardians on August 31.

Cleveland has been involved in many trade rumors this offseason, but not many of them included Giménez, who was once seen as a key player for the team’s future.

The 26-year-old Giménez batted .252 last season with nine home runs, 63 RBIs, and 30 steals. He was acquired by the Guardians in the Francisco Lindor trade with the New York Mets in January 2021. Two years ago, Giménez made the All-Star team after hitting 17 homers and 69 RBIs.

While the Guardians have always valued his defense, they wanted more offensive production from the bottom of their lineup, which they weren’t getting from Giménez.

The team may also be making room for Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 pick in this year’s amateur draft. Bazzana started the season at Class A Lake County and helped the team win a championship. The Guardians are impressed with his talent, and the former Oregon State star could move quickly to the majors.

Juan Brito, who performed well at Triple-A Columbus, might also compete for a spot on the 2025 roster at second base.

Financial factors also played a role in the move. Giménez still has $96.5 million left on his seven-year, $106.5 million contract that was signed before the 2023 season. He is set to earn $10 million next year, $15 million in 2026, and $23 million for each of the following three seasons. The contract also includes a $23 million team option for 2030, with a $2.5 million buyout.

Brayan Rocchio and Andres Gimenez celebrates after the win

Sandlin, who was a key member of Cleveland’s strong bullpen last season, posted an 8-0 record with a 3.75 ERA in 68 appearances. However, he was not included in the roster for the AL Division Series or ALCS. Sandlin is eligible for arbitration this winter and next, and will be a free agent after the 2026 World Series.

Mitchell, the outfielder, was drafted in the fourth round this year and hit .289 in 22 games for Class A Dunedin.

Kennedy, 20, was also a fourth-round pick by the Pirates in 2022. In two professional seasons, he is 4-6 with a 3.25 ERA in 31 games, splitting last season between Class A Bradenton and High-A Greensboro.

Hartle, a 6-foot-5 left-handed pitcher, was drafted in the third round from Wake Forest. Over three seasons with the Demon Deacons, he had a 24-11 record and a 4.41 ERA.

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MLB (Baseball)

Former Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber is rejoining the Cleveland Guardians on a one-year contract

Shane Bieber (MLB)

Shane Bieber’s first experience in free agency turned into a return to his old team.

The 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner agreed on Friday to come back to the Cleveland Guardians after making just two starts last season before needing Tommy John surgery, according to a person familiar with the talks who spoke to The Associated Press.

Bieber had been expected to leave the AL Central champions, but he is returning after agreeing to a one-year, $14 million contract that includes a $16 million player option for 2026. The person spoke anonymously because the deal had not been officially announced yet.

Bieber’s contract will pay him a salary of $10 million and includes a $4 million buyout option.

The 29-year-old pitcher only made two starts in 2024 before deciding to have surgery on his elbow, which had caused him pain during the previous season. Bieber felt discomfort during his first start on opening day against the Oakland Athletics and again in his second start against the Seattle Mariners.

Despite not allowing a run in either game, the Guardians were encouraged by his velocity and performance (he had 20 strikeouts). However, the pain in his elbow became too much, and Bieber chose to have the ligament-replacement surgery.

Shane Bieber (MLB)

If his recovery goes as expected, Bieber should be back in Cleveland’s rotation within the first three months of the upcoming season.

The Guardians feared his loss would affect them last season, but the team started strong under new manager Stephen Vogt and went on to win the division title. Cleveland eliminated Detroit in the AL Division Series but lost to the New York Yankees in five games in the AL Championship Series.

Bieber spent parts of last season with the team and received a warm welcome at Progressive Field before the postseason series.

The two-time All-Star has spent all seven of his major league seasons with Cleveland, which had considered trading him before his elbow problems in 2023 limited him to just 21 starts.

In the shortened 2020 COVID-19 season, Bieber went 8-1 with a 1.63 ERA over 12 starts, pitching 77 1/3 innings and striking out 122 batters. He led the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts, finishing fourth in AL MVP voting.

Bieber was selected by Cleveland in the fourth round of the 2016 amateur draft from UC Santa Barbara and made his MLB debut two years later on his 23rd birthday.

Bieber has a career record of 62-32 with a 3.22 ERA in 136 appearances, including 134 starts, and 843 innings pitched. He has thrown over 200 innings twice, including a career-high 214 1/3 innings in 2019.