12+ hour, 42+ min ago (974+ words) CLEVELAND, Ohio " While Jos" Ram'rez rightfully dominates headlines in Cleveland, there's another figure whose impact on the Guardians might be just as significant, despite operating largely behind the scenes: pitching coach Carl Willis. The Cleveland chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America recognized Willis's contributions by awarding him the Frank Gibbons/Steve Olin Good Guy Award, highlighting not just his accessibility to media, but his profound impact on the organization's renowned pitching development system. "The man speaks in quotes that make it really easy for reporters to write about and digest and learn about the art of pitching," explained Joe Noga, cleveland.com Guardians beat reporter, during a recent podcast. "And that's really one of the reasons why he was such an obvious choice for this award." But Willis's value extends far beyond his media friendliness. Under his guidance,…...

12+ hour, 46+ min ago (863+ words) CLEVELAND, Ohio " In a move that left many Cleveland baseball observers confused, the Guardians agreed to a $2 million deal with outfielder Nolan Jones ahead of Friday's non-tender deadline " a decision that directly contradicts their stated developmental philosophy and creates a puzzling outfield logjam heading into 2026. "They give him a $2 million deal for one year. He did not play well last season, to be frank," said Paul Hoynes of cleveland.com on a recent podcast. "It was a struggle for him from the start." The signing is particularly perplexing given the Guardians' crowded outfield situation. With prospects like George Valera and Chase DeLauter seemingly ready for extended major league opportunities, bringing back Jones " who struggled throughout 2025 " seems to run counter to Cleveland's typically prospect-friendly approach. Joe Noga of cleveland.com highlighted this contradiction: "For a front office that's constantly going back…...

1+ day, 19+ hour ago (648+ words) CLEVELAND, Ohio " Cleveland's chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America elected Carl Willis as its 2025 Good Guy award winner at its annual meeting. Jose Ramirez was also honored, receiving the Bob Feller Man of the Year award. Willis is a first-time winner of the award named after former Cleveland Press columnist Frank Gibbons and Indians pitcher Steven Olin. Ramirez won the award for a record fourth time. Indians owner Bill Veeck won the initial award in 1946. The Good Guy award goes to a member of the organization that understands the media's job when it comes to covering a big league team and cooperates whenever possible. Listening to Willis talk about pitching is like getting a master's class in the subject. Said manager Stephen Vogt at the Guardians' end-of-the-season press conference, "Carl's presence is invaluable, let alone his ability to…...

1+ day, 19+ hour ago (640+ words) CLEVELAND, Ohio " Jos" Ram'rez may have finished third in the American League MVP race yet again, but he can take solace " as he often must " in being the Guardians" most valuable player year after year. The Cleveland chapter of the Baseball Writers" Association of America on Tuesday named Ram'rez its 2025 Bob Feller Man of the Year Award winner, the fourth time he has earned the honor after also receiving it in 2016, 2021 and 2022. Ram'rez topped a field of nominees that included reliever Cade Smith, starting pitcher Gavin Williams and outfielder Steven Kwan. In a separate vote, Guardians veteran pitching coach Carl Willis was named the recipient of the chapter"s Frank Gibbons/Steve Olin Good Guy Award. For Ram'rez, the award is a familiar distinction, even if it isn"t the one he covets most. The AL MVP trophy has remained…...

2+ day, 11+ hour ago (222+ words) CLEVELAND, Ohio " This is the time of year when baseball's free agent spigot is free flowing. On Friday, with teams protecting their 40-man rosters because of the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 10, 66 more players hit the open market. These players were pushed into the free-agent pool because their teams didn't offer them contracts for 2026. The infusion of talent means there are an estimated 240 big-league free agents on the market. The thing that makes this latest wave of free agents attractive to the Guardians, who are careful with a buck, is that some of them are within their price range. Pete Alonso, Kyle Schwarber and Dylan Cease are not in this grouping. With that in mind, a quick look at what the Guardians need can't hurt. They need to hit better and score more runs. The starting rotation was impressive last year,…...

2+ day, 20+ hour ago (713+ words) Hey, Hoynsie: Can you update me on the performance of the Guardians" 2025 draft class. " Kurt Miller, Worthington. Hey, Hoynsie: Who represented the Guardians in the MLB golf tournament held in Las Vegas during the GM meetings? " Tony Mollica, The Plains. Hey, Tony: Kenny Lofton and Slade Cecconi represented the Guardians. Hey, Hoynsie: The Guardians could use some help in the bullpen. What is the latest on Trevor Stephan? Will he be able to throw in spring training? " Charlie Bentley. Hey, Charlie: Stephan was outrighted off the 40-man roster near the end of last season and accepted his assignment to Triple-A Columbus. The Guardians still owe him $3.5 million for next season as part of the four-year $10 million deal he signed in 2023. He made 19 minor league appearances last season as he rehabbed from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. He was…...

3+ day, 12+ hour ago (562+ words) CLEVELAND, Ohio " The Guardians are at a crossroads. After a magical 2025 campaign that saw them overcome a 15 1/2-game deficit, the front office knows lightning won't strike twice without significant offensive improvements for 2026. In the latest Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, cleveland.com beat reporters Joe Noga and Paul Hoynes dissected which players on the Guardians' 40-man roster and top prospect list could be attractive trade chips to bring in the middle-of-the-order bat the team desperately needs. "If they do not improve this offense, 2026 is going to be a long season," warned Hoynes on the podcast. The veteran reporter didn't mince words about the team's dire offensive situation, pointing to their .226 batting average and bottom-of-the-barrel MLB rankings in runs and OPS. The conversation turned to potential trade candidates, with Joey Cantillo emerging as a name that could intrigue other organizations. "Would they…...

3+ day, 12+ hour ago (463+ words) CLEVELAND, Ohio " The MLB non-tender deadline has arrived, and the Cleveland Guardians face some difficult decisions regarding which arbitration-eligible players will receive contract offers for 2026. In the latest Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, cleveland.com beat reporters Joe Noga and Paul Hoynes broke down the organization's toughest calls. While established players like Steven Kwan and David Fry appear safe, others face uncertain futures. Hoynes identified the clearest candidates at risk: The financial implications are significant. Henches is projected to make $1.3 million in arbitration, while Brennan would cost around $900,000 " substantial investments for players coming off lost seasons due to injuries. Perhaps the most intriguing case involves Nolan Jones, projected at $2 million in arbitration after a disappointing 2025 campaign. Jones hit just .211 with five home runs, 34 RBIs, and an OPS+ of just 68 " well below league average. "From the outside looking in, there's no way…...

3+ day, 12+ hour ago (404+ words) CLEVELAND, Ohio " The Guardians rode an improbable comeback to a division title in 2025, but they won't be catching lightning in a bottle twice. That's the stark warning from cleveland.com beat reporters Paul Hoynes and Joe Noga on the latest Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, where they dissected the team's desperate need for offensive reinforcements. The numbers don't lie. Despite reaching the postseason, Cleveland's offense ranked among MLB's worst in virtually every significant category. Now the front office must decide how to acquire the impact bat(s) they need " through trades, as they've traditionally preferred, or by venturing more aggressively into the free agent market. The podcast drew parallels to last offseason when Cleveland identified starting pitching as their glaring weakness and addressed it through both trades and free agency. They re-signed Shane Bieber, added Carlos Santana on the open market, and…...

3+ day, 20+ hour ago (330+ words) CLEVELAND, Ohio " The Guardians avoided arbitration with three players Friday, agreeing to major league contracts with All-Star David Fry as well as reliever Matt Festa and outfielder Nolan Jones ahead of Major League Baseball's non-tender deadline. As expected, All-Star left fielder Steven Kwan was among the remaining unsigned 32 arbitration-eligible and pre-arbitration players on Cleveland's 40-man roster who were tendered contracts. Kwan and the Guardians can still negotiate as they move forward with the arbitration process, either avoiding arbitration with Kwan signing a one-year deal before hearings in January, or working out a multiyear contract extension in the interim. Kwan, who is in his final year of arbitration eligibility, is expected to command a salary upwards of $8.8 million according to projections from MLBTradeRumors.com. Among the players not offered contracts were outfielder Will Brennan as well as relievers Sam Hentges and…...