The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced the acquisition of first baseman and second baseman Spencer Horwitz from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for right-hander Luis Ortiz and left-handed pitching prospects Josh Hartle and Michael Kennedy. This move comes shortly after the Guardians acquired Horwitz from the Toronto Blue Jays earlier in the day as part of the Andrés Giménez deal.


Horwitz, 27, is expected to compete for Pittsburgh's starting first base position. With Cleveland already having Josh Naylor and Kyle Manzardo, there was limited opportunity for Horwitz to play regularly. However, Pittsburgh offers a clearer path to playing time, especially after the release of Rowdy Tellez, who struggled as the team's primary first baseman in the 2024 season.


The left-handed hitting Horwitz has demonstrated considerable offensive potential both in Triple-A and the major leagues. This year, he posted an impressive .265/.357/.433 batting line over 381 plate appearances, hitting 12 home runs and 19 doubles. Horwitz also showcased excellent plate discipline, walking at an 11% rate while striking out 18.4% of the time.

In a surprising move at the Winter Meetings, the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Guardians have reached an agreement on a four-player trade that will send second baseman Andrés Giménez to Toronto. Alongside Giménez, the Blue Jays will also acquire reliever Nick Sandlin. In return, the Guardians will receive infielder Spencer Horwitz and outfield prospect Nick Mitchell. No cash is changing hands in this deal, meaning the Blue Jays will absorb the remaining five years of Giménez's contract. The teams have yet to officially announce the deal.


This unexpected trade marks the first significant shakeup of the Winter Meetings. While Cleveland's willingness to trade high-priced players is not entirely unprecedented, there had been little indication that they were open to moving their Gold Glove second baseman. Giménez had appeared to be a cornerstone for the Guardians, having signed a seven-year, $106.5 million extension just two seasons ago.


Giménez, known for his defensive prowess, is on the move for the second time in his career. He began his career with the New York Mets, where his versatile skill set made him one of the organization's top prospects. The Guardians acquired him, along with Amed Rosario, as part of the trade package for Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco during the 2020-21 offseason.


For the Blue Jays, adding a player of Giménez's caliber bolsters their infield defense and provides a reliable bat. Sandlin, meanwhile, brings additional depth to Toronto's bullpen. On the other side, the Guardians will benefit from the promising talents of Horwitz and Mitchell as they continue to build for the future.

The Cincinnati Reds have shown interest in trading for Josh Naylor and Lane Thomas of the Cleveland Guardians, according to a report by Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Although the Guardians are open to offers for either player, there is no indication that a deal with the Reds or any other team is imminent. Wittenmyer's phrasing suggests that the Reds' inquiry may have been more of an initial exploration rather than a serious pursuit.


Cincinnati is actively seeking outfield reinforcements, as confirmed by president of baseball operations Nick Krall, who recently stated that any new addition to the roster is likely to be an outfielder. Lane Thomas, with his right-handed bat, could provide a complementary option to left-handed hitters Jake Fraley or TJ Friedl in right or center field. However, Thomas' projected $8.3 million arbitration salary may be too high for a part-time role given the Reds' budget constraints.


Thomas' performance in 2024 was mixed; he posted better numbers with the Nationals, hitting .253/.331/.407 over 341 plate appearances, compared to .209/.267/.390 in 187 plate appearances with the Guardians. His combined stats resulted in a slightly subpar 99 wRC+. Defensively, Thomas struggled in right field and was only average at best in center field, contributing to his overall value of 1.3 fWAR in 130 games.


The Reds' infield situation is both crowded and unsettled. Jeimer Candelario, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Noelvi Marte are the primary candidates for the corner infield and designated hitter spots. However, all three players struggled at the plate in 2024. Additionally, Encarnacion-Strand missed most of the season due to wrist surgery, and Marte served a suspension for PED use in the first half of the season.


Given these uncertainties, the Reds' interest in Naylor and Thomas makes sense as they look to bolster their roster. Whether these exploratory trade talks will lead to an actual deal remains to be seen.

The Cleveland Guardians have secured the services of right-hander Shane Bieber, who will be returning to the club under a new contract agreement. The deal, valued at $10 million for the 2025 season, includes a $16 million player option for 2026, with a $4 million buyout. This structure guarantees Bieber $26 million over two years, but he has the flexibility to enter free agency after earning $14 million in the first year if he chooses.


Bieber, who turns 30 in May, has spent his entire career with the Guardians, making this return a notable moment for both the player and the organization. Represented by Rosenhaus Sports Representation, Bieber reportedly turned down higher offers from other teams, demonstrating his loyalty to Cleveland.


The contract reflects Bieber's current status following Tommy John surgery in April, which will cause him to miss a significant portion of the upcoming season. This deal provides Bieber the opportunity to recover and prove his health in 2025. If he can return to his previous elite form, he has the option to re-enter the market. However, if he encounters any setbacks, the player option ensures he has financial security with an additional $12 million guaranteed for 2026.


Bieber's potential is well-documented. He won the American League Cy Young Award in 2020, dominating the shortened season with a 1.63 ERA over 12 starts. During that year, he struck out 41.1% of batters faced, walked just 7.1%, and maintained a ground ball rate of 48.4%.


The Guardians' decision to re-sign Bieber signifies their confidence in his ability to bounce back from injury and contribute significantly to the team's success. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Bieber's recovery progresses and how he performs upon his return to the mound.


This strategic move by the Guardians not only strengthens their pitching rotation but also highlights the club's commitment to retaining key players who have been integral to their success.

The Cleveland Guardians are open to trade offers for first baseman Josh Naylor and outfielder Lane Thomas, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. It remains unclear which teams might be interested or if any significant offers have already been received.

This move is not entirely unexpected. In late October, MLBTR identified both Naylor and Thomas as potential trade candidates for this offseason. Like many smaller-market teams, the Guardians often consider trading players as they become more expensive and approach free agency. Both Naylor and Thomas are just one year away from free agency, with MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projecting Naylor's salary at $12 million and Thomas's at $8.3 million for the upcoming season.

These salary projections are reasonable for their performances, but the Guardians, much like the Rays and Brewers, typically trade solid yet pricier players for younger, more affordable options to maintain a competitive roster. This strategy has previously led to trades involving notable players such as Francisco Lindor, Carlos Carrasco, and Corey Kluber.

Josh Naylor, who will turn 28 in June, has been a reliable presence in the Cleveland lineup over the past three years. While he doesn't draw many walks, he avoids strikeouts and has hit at least 17 home runs each season, including 31 last year. His combined .267/.330/.465 batting line over this period translates to a 121 wRC+, meaning he was 21% better than the league average offensively.

Defensively, Naylor has been fairly solid, with 10 Outs Above Average at first base over nearly 3,000 innings. Although his Defensive Runs Saved is -4, this figure was positive before a -6 rating in 2024, which may be an anomaly.

​Overall, Naylor's offensive and defensive contributions, along with a few stolen bases, have made him worth approximately two to three wins above replacement per year. For his projected salary, Naylor is likely to attract significant interest this offseason.

The Cleveland Guardians have brought back former top outfield prospect George Valera on a minor league deal, inviting him to big league Spring Training as a non-roster player.

A Promising Start
Valera, now 24, was a notable international amateur signee in 2017. He excelled in the lower minors and reached Double-A at just 20 years old. His impressive offensive potential made him one of Cleveland’s most highly regarded minor leaguers, earning him a spot in Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects in 2022 and 2023. The Guardians added him to the 40-man roster after the 2021 season to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.

Recent Struggles
Unfortunately, Valera's stock has dropped over the past couple of years. While he had a strong showing in Double-A at age 21, his performance at Triple-A Columbus has been less impressive. Over three seasons, he posted a .229/.336/.424 batting line. Despite a solid 13.5% walk rate, his strikeout rate was a concerning 26.7% over 865 Triple-A plate appearances.

Injury Setbacks
Valera’s progress has been further hindered by a series of injuries. He has dealt with hamstring issues and had surgery to repair a hamate fracture in his right hand during the 2022-23 offseason. His 2024 campaign was cut short in September due to a knee injury that required patellar tendon surgery, with an expected recovery timeline of at least six months, putting his availability for Spring Training in doubt.

​As Valera prepares to rejoin the Guardians, the team and fans alike will be eager to see if he can regain his form and fulfill the promise he showed early in his career.

n a groundbreaking career move, Alyssa Nakken, the first woman to coach in a Major League Baseball (MLB) game, is leaving the San Francisco Giants to join the Cleveland Guardians. Nakken, who made history in 2022 by stepping in as first-base coach, will now take on a new role in the Guardians' player development department.

Nakken's journey with the Giants began in 2014, shortly after her stellar college softball career at Sacramento State. In 2020, she was promoted to manager Gabe Kapler's staff, becoming the first woman to be a full-time coach in MLB. Her contributions to the team have been nothing short of transformative.

Multiple reports confirm that Nakken, 34, will be working alongside former Giants coaches Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa in Cleveland. The Guardians, who clinched the American League Central title last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt, are excited to welcome her expertise.

The Giants expressed their gratitude for Nakken's impact in a heartfelt statement: "We thank Alyssa Nakken for her incredible contributions to the San Francisco Giants and for trailblazing a path for women in sports. Her leadership, dedication, and passion for the game have inspired countless individuals, and her impact has been truly transformative for the Giants organization and the baseball community."

​As Nakken embarks on this new chapter in her career, the Giants and the wider baseball community will be watching closely, confident that her influence will continue to grow. The Guardians gain not just a coach, but a pioneer whose journey has inspired many and whose future promises even greater accomplishments.

One of the main goals for Cubs president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, this offseason is to enhance bullpen depth. Early-season struggles within the relief corps last year led to a chain reaction of issues that took months to resolve.

On Wednesday, the Cubs made a significant move in this direction by acquiring reliever Eli Morgan from the Guardians in exchange for outfield prospect Alfonsin Rosario, who is ranked No. 21 on the Cubs’ Top 30 prospects list by Pipeline. To make room on the 40-man roster, infielder Patrick Wisdom was designated for assignment.

“Our bullpen numbers in the second half of the season were exceptionally strong, ranking among the best in baseball,” Hoyer said at the end of the season. “But at critical moments when our relievers struggled and were injured early on, we didn’t have sufficient depth, and that hurt us. Addressing this issue is a priority.”

Morgan, a 28-year-old right-hander, brings four years of major league experience from Cleveland’s bullpen and is under team control for the next three seasons. This offseason marks his first eligibility for arbitration, and he also has one Minor League option remaining, adding valuable flexibility.

Beyond logistical advantages, Morgan is coming off his best major league season. He posted a 1.93 ERA and limited opponents to a .194 batting average over 42 innings. His fastball averaged 92.2 mph, though it ranked in the 21st percentile according to Statcast. Nevertheless, Morgan's repertoire includes a plus changeup and an above-average slider, which became his primary secondary pitch in 2024 with a 32.8% whiff rate.

​This acquisition represents a strategic step forward for the Cubs as they aim to strengthen their bullpen and ensure better depth and resilience for the upcoming season.

A winning record in his first managerial season wasn’t enough. An American League Central title wasn’t enough. A run to the AL Championship Series wasn’t enough. Stephen Vogt had to make history.

Stephen Vogt was awarded the 2024 AL Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers' Association of America on Tuesday night, as announced on MLB Network. This honor marks the third time in the past decade that a Cleveland skipper has received this accolade. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Vogt is the fifth-youngest manager to win the award, following in the footsteps of Rocco Baldelli, Buck Showalter, Tony La Russa, and Eric Wedge. Vogt secured 27 of the 30 first-place votes.

“I’m very proud,” Vogt said. “I’m always going to give the credit to the people that have to go out and do it, and that’s the players.”

In achieving this recognition, Vogt set a new precedent in Major League Baseball. Previously, Joe Girardi was the fastest to transition from player to Manager of the Year, winning the award in 2006 after playing with the Cardinals in 2003. Vogt, however, finished his playing career on October 5, 2022, with the A's, and just 397 days later, without prior managerial experience, he was hired as Cleveland’s manager. By the end of 2024, he had set the record as the fastest person to go from player to Manager of the Year.

Vogt faced significant challenges along the way. The Guardians concluded the 2023 season with a 76-86 record. During the offseason, the team made modest additions, including backup catcher Austin Hedges and starter/reliever Ben Lively. These moves were not seen as game-changing, and there were concerns about the team's offensive capabilities. Additionally, Vogt had no prior managerial experience, leading many to doubt his ability to lead the team.

Vogt attributes much of his success to his coaching staff, especially pitching coach Carl Willis, whom Vogt credits with an immense knowledge of the game. From the outset, Vogt demonstrated an ability to unify the team and instill a shared vision.

“The beauty of this role in this job is that it's not about you, it's about your players and it's about their successes,” Vogt said. “There's really nothing I can do other than put people into positions to hopefully succeed, and to see our guys go out and have success, those were the high moments.”

​Stephen Vogt's recognition as AL Manager of the Year not only underscores his managerial prowess but also highlights the collective effort and resilience of the Cleveland Guardians. With Vogt at the helm, the team is poised to build on this success and aim for even greater achievements in the coming seasons.

The Cleveland Guardians have announced significant roster changes ahead of the Rule 5 Draft protection deadline. The team has added pitchers Franco Aleman, Nic Enright, Doug Nikhazy, and outfielder Petey Halpin to their 40-man roster. To make room for these additions, the Guardians designated outfielder George Valera and relievers Peter Strzelecki and Connor Gillispie for assignment.

George Valera, once a top outfield prospect, is the most notable player designated for assignment. The 24-year-old was a consensus top-50 prospect but has been plagued by injuries over the past two years. Valera underwent hand surgery before the 2023 season and did not debut until May, playing only 11 games before June 17 due to additional injuries. He ended the 2023 season with a .211/.343/.375 batting line despite a strong 16% walk rate.

This year, Valera showed improvement, hitting .248/.337/.452 with 17 home runs. However, he was again limited by injuries, playing just 90 games before undergoing another surgery in September. This surgery comes with a six-to-nine month recovery period, likely causing Valera to start the 2025 season on the injured list and not be available until mid-year at the earliest.

Given his injury history and modest Triple-A production, the Guardians decided to remove Valera from the 40-man roster. He is now available for other teams to claim off waivers. If he clears waivers, the Guardians can outright him to the minor leagues for the 2025 season. However, since Valera has no minor league options remaining, any team that acquires him will need to keep him on their active roster or risk exposing him to waivers again later.

Franco Aleman, Nic Enright, Doug Nikhazy, and Petey Halpin were added to the roster to protect them from being selected in the Rule 5 Draft. These players have shown potential and could contribute to the Guardians in the near future. Aleman, Enright, and Nikhazy will boost the pitching depth, while Halpin adds versatility to the outfield.

Peter Strzelecki and Connor Gillispie were designated for assignment to create space on the roster. These moves illustrate the Guardians' strategy to protect their promising prospects and build a competitive roster for the upcoming season.

​The Guardians' decision to part ways with Valera and add new talent reflects their commitment to developing a strong team. Fans will be watching closely to see how these changes impact the Guardians' performance in the coming year.

The Cleveland Guardians have announced exciting updates to their jersey set for the 2025 season. These refinements aim to inject new energy into the team's uniforms while honoring the club’s rich 124-year history. The updated jerseys will complement Cleveland’s City Connect uniforms, completing the 2025 on-field look.

Blue Alternative Road Uniform
The most significant change for the 2025 season is the redesigned blue alternative uniform. While retaining its navy base, the jersey will now feature the Guardians' 'Diamond C' logo instead of 'Cleveland' across the chest. This new design pays homage to the franchise's historical jerseys from 1901-1945, including the 1920 World Series team, which also sported a 'C' on the chest. The updated jersey will also include distinctive red-white-red piping to complement the navy base.

Red Alternative Home Uniform
The red home alternative uniform will also see a fresh look for 2025. The script 'Guardians' from the 2024 jerseys will be replaced with the club’s Bridge Print font, with 'Guardians' displayed prominently across the chest. The piping on this jersey will feature a blue-white-blue pattern, further integrating the Guardians brand with a consistent font seen on the back numbers of all Cleveland jerseys.

White Home Uniform
Cleveland’s white home uniform will maintain its classic appearance with script 'Guardians' across the chest. The logo will now be positioned horizontally rather than on a slant. Additionally, new piping will be introduced with a red-blue-red design around the neckline and arms. A new home hat will debut in 2025, exclusively for this uniform set, featuring a red main color with a blue bill. The 'Diamond C' will remain a staple on all hats, with the blue cap and red bill being worn with other jerseys (home red, road blue, road gray).

Gray Road Uniform
The gray road jersey will remain unchanged, continuing to feature 'Cleveland' across the chest in Bridge Print font. The piping on this jersey will match the red-blue-red color scheme seen on the white home uniform.

​These thoughtful updates ensure that the Cleveland Guardians' jerseys honor the team's legacy while introducing a refreshed and energized look for the 2025 season. Fans can look forward to seeing their team take the field in these new designs, which balance tradition with modern style.