Cleveland Sports Forum

Pete would yell at them but they'd come back with another goofball deal soon after

Routes, retail and revenue: Debating the merits of new stadium locations in Cleveland



CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 27, 2021: Progressive Field in the sixth inning of the final home game as the Cleveland Indians against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on September 27, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by: 2021 George Kubas/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

By Zack Meisel and Jason Lloyd 5h ago 15

CLEVELAND — When negotiating a new lease for Progressive Field, city officials, representatives from Gateway Corp. and members of the Guardians’ front office assessed the areas surrounding the ballpark.

A budding trend with sports venues is to build mixed-use blocks of bars, restaurants and shops nearby. There’s a reason dialogue about the Browns’ future includes visions of an enhanced lakefront. Glendale, Ariz., is perhaps the prime example, with the Westgate Entertainment District enveloping the Coyotes’ and Cardinals’ stadiums.

Those mediating the Progressive Field deal ultimately tabled such talks for the distant future. Instead, the Guardians will receive $435 million to upgrade the ballpark, with almost half of that sum covering capital repairs, such as concrete, plumbing and electrical restoration. The rest will fund renovations, including a social hub down the left-field line, a gathering space in the right-field upper deck, reworked dugout suites, reconstructed clubhouses and an expanded administrative building.

The team may eventually look to update the area around the ballpark, sources said — converting Bolivar Road or Larry Doby Way into something reminiscent of Eutaw Street in Baltimore or Jersey Street in Boston, perhaps? — but that’s nowhere near the top of its priority list. Restaurants on E. 4th Street are a short walk from the stadium. There are a smattering of bars on Huron Street. But the ballpark is mostly guarded by parking lots and garages, the Erie Street Cemetery and steady traffic on Ontario Street, Carnegie Avenue and E. 9th Street.

That runs counter to how many teams are starting to think: How can we attract more people to the ballpark and its surrounding area? How can we create additional revenue streams that aren’t team-dependent?

Along those lines, one industry source tossed out an idea over the summer: Is downtown Cleveland the optimal location for the city’s baseball team?

“If they built the stadium today,” the source pondered, “as much as it’s cool to have an urban stadium, I think I would argue that if you put the stadium somewhere around the intersection of I-77 and I-480, with big parking lots around it and accessibility where you could capture Akron easier, you could capture the western and eastern suburbs easier. … I think that might be something.”

Jason Lloyd: The “big parking lots” line makes me think of Kansas City, which I visited for the first time in September for the Browns’ season opener. Zack, as you and anyone else who visits Kauffman Stadium and Arrowhead knows, there is nothing exciting about two stadiums and acres of concrete in the middle of nowhere. But this touches on a larger point worth exploring.

The 480/77 interchange is indeed a terrific location for a sports venue, and there is plenty of vacant land there to make something happen. Throughout our reporting this summer, “mixed-use development” was a hot talking point around lease negotiations and something we kept circling back to.

The Guardians are going to be at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario for generations to come. The team never asked for a new stadium because the city was never going to build it one. One source who was part of the lease negotiations told me there’s no reason Progressive Field can’t become an iconic park in the mold of Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and Dodger Stadium. I tend to agree.

Zack Meisel: And a source I spoke with recently said they built Jacobs Field with the intention of it enduring at least a half-century of wear and tear and frigid offseasons. They didn’t want to be angling for a new ballpark after 25 years because of structural shortcomings. (The Texas Rangers essentially did this last year because they failed to stick a retractable roof atop their previous ballpark.)


An aerial photo of Kansas City’s football and baseball stadiums on the day of a Chiefs game this fall. (Associated Press)
Lloyd: So what about the Browns?

I’ve long believed the Browns would be the next team in town to get a new stadium even though they already play in the newest facility. Both the Guardians and Cavs recently agreed to extensions on their facilities. FirstEnergy Stadium, however, is awful. The construction was rushed, and as a result, the sight lines are terrible. Those in the most expensive seats can’t really see punts or the scoreboard. The site is lousy. There are so many better uses for lakefront property than a football stadium that sits vacant for well over 300 days a year. One person who was involved in stadium constructions in Cleveland told me the empty Browns stadium makes the adjacent Rock Hall and Science Center — two beautiful pieces of architecture — look like tinker toys.

There are multiple problems with building a new football stadium, however, beginning with the fact the city and county can’t afford it, just like they couldn’t afford to give the Guardians a new baseball home. It’s becoming more common for cities across the country to tell sports owners: “If you want a new stadium, you build it.” Any new construction would take a significant financial commitment from the Haslams.

The Haslams and the Edwards family in Columbus reportedly contributed about $70 million of the $300 million it took to build the Crew’s new soccer stadium in Columbus. The cost of a new NFL stadium could be more than triple that amount. U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, which opened in 2016, took two years to build and cost around $1 billion. The Vikings were responsible for about half of it.

Meisel: The NFL stadium trend is pretty clear: colossal, captivating structures, with plenty of nearby hotel options so the building can host marquee events throughout the calendar year. Super Bowls. Final Fours. WrestleManias. Such state-of-the-art buildings have popped up in Atlanta, Minneapolis, Las Vegas and Los Angeles within the past several years. As one stadium expert quipped: “It’s amazing what you can do with a couple billion dollars.”

I was taken aback by the setup in Arlington, Texas, last month, though. Jerry Jones spent $1.3 billion to construct AT&T Stadium. It sits beside the Rangers’ new ballpark, which is adjacent to the Rangers’ old ballpark. (And I must say, the Rangers’ new place has zero personality. The old place, which, like Progressive Field, opened in 1994, is much more inviting and actually has some character.) There’s a Six Flags down the street, too.

And … that’s about it.

There is Texas Live!, which includes a hotel and a collection of eateries near the ballpark. A couple miles away, there’s a stretch of strip malls. But there’s a ton of untapped real estate surrounding the venues, and nothing that serves to connect the main attractions in the area. As the stadium expert put it: “It may be that I want them to come here, park their car, pay me $20 to do that and come inside my building and then pay me $20 for each of six beers they’re gonna drink.”

You mentioned Kansas City; it might have one of the best tailgating scenes in the country. In late September, there were people grilling out and tossing back beers in the parking lot hours before a weeknight Royals-Indians game. Because, well, what else is there to do over there? You park. You tailgate. You attend the game. You go home.

That gargantuan parking lot-dual stadium setup serves as a main attraction 81 times during the summer and on about 10 Sundays (or Thursdays or Mondays) in the fall. And that’s it. It’s bordered by highways and residential areas. There’s a hotel and a Denny’s on the other side of I-70, as the backdrop of the Royals’ giant crown scoreboard. You get your nine innings. You get your Grand Slam. And you call it a day.

There’s a reason the Royals are itching to move into a new ballpark in downtown Kansas City.

So, would Kansas City serve as an example for how not to create a 480/77 setup? If mixed-use development is vital to the operation, does that blueprint work better in a downtown metropolis, along a lakefront or in a massive lot beside a couple of always-humming highways?

Lloyd: It works better in a downtown metropolis if there’s space, but how often is that actually the case? You’ve already laid out how Progressive Field is basically bordered by a cemetery and a pseudo-highway in Carnegie Avenue. That doesn’t leave a lot of room for creativity. There are pockets of old warehouses, surface lots and parking garages around the stadium that could be renovated into something cool, but the Dolans don’t own any of that land. Is some sort of land-use agreement tenable? Perhaps. But as you noted, we were told over and over by team officials that isn’t the priority right now. They want to fix the inside of the stadium before worrying about the outside.

I haven’t seen it myself yet, but Milwaukee seems to have done a marvelous job with its new basketball arena and some of the downtown land surrounding it. It’s sort of the anomaly of figuring out how to do it in a downtown space.

Atlanta’s baseball stadium is 10 miles outside of downtown. Glendale is 10 miles from Phoenix and was nothing but desert land and tumbleweeds when the football stadium opened in 2006.

The NFL’s crown jewel is now probably SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. I visited there in October. Downtown Los Angeles obviously didn’t have the space for a new stadium, so the Rams and Chargers built near the old Great Western Forum. The area around the stadium is still pretty rough, however. I’ll be curious to see what it looks like 10 years from now. The stadium, though, is spectacular.

I was in Foxborough, Mass., last month to watch that prison beating between the Browns and Patriots. Robert Kraft has done a brilliant job of constructing “Patriot Place,” the mixed-use zone that surrounds Gillette Stadium. There are shops, restaurants and a posh Patriots Hall of Fame all essentially attached to the stadium. (Our Uber drop-off to get into the stadium was in front of an Olive Garden.) Foxborough, however, is sort of between Boston and Providence, R.I., and feels a whole lot like Summit County back when it housed Richfield Coliseum. Maybe the Cavs were just 30 years ahead of their time.


SoFi Stadium is about as state-of-the-art as it gets. (Kirby Lee / USA Today)
Meisel: Well, the stadium expert I spoke with noted the Gund family owned everything out in Richfield, from the building to the parking lots. He and other sources have recalled how the Cavaliers had no incentive to move, and it required a Herculean effort from those involved in the Gateway project to convince the Cavaliers to join the Indians downtown and get the referendum passed.

That expert said a new stadium would make more sense downtown, where the surrounding infrastructure is already in place. He also pointed out the political influences. With the teams downtown, they receive both city and county support which, he said, might be tougher to achieve in the suburbs.

A real estate/city planning expert I spoke with mentioned “retail gravity models,” what administrators use to determine where to stick a new mall or a shopping center or a massive Giant Eagle Market District. He noted, “It’s only good until the next thing pops up,” and suggested the Cavs’ attendance should have flourished in Richfield if that model were worth mimicking. He believes a mixed-use development setup can work in downtown Cleveland, and said a ballpark in the suburbs would require the creation of a town — shops and restaurants and residences — around it.

The stadium expert agreed, noting the value of public transportation. The Kansas City model, with a vast parking lot engulfing a pair of venues, is clearly not the answer. He stressed that parking lots will eventually be “less important than drop-off zones for Uber, Lyft or the hovercraft that comes and picks you up after the game.”

He also cited Wrigley Field as a fascinating case. The Cubs revamped the area surrounding their century-old venue in recent years, a $750 million project that included ballpark renovations, the creation of an outdoor plaza and mixed-use spaces that housed a hotel, apartments and retail. They completed a similar transformation beside Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati in recent years, too.

Lloyd: And let’s be clear, something like that could eventually be possible at Progressive Field. It might just take a decade or so to see it materialize.

In an effort to think creatively and generate revenue from the worst seats in the building, I asked one team official if some sort of hotel was feasible in the upper deck in right field. The answer was, essentially, no. Something like that was never discussed, and the logistics to pull it off structurally and feasibly probably make it a non-starter. But I guess that’s where I land on all of this, and it was sort of the point I kept coming back to throughout our summer series: All of the updates and renovations being discussed and the renderings the Guardians released of the revamped stadium are visually stunning. But which upgrade is going to generate new revenue? I don’t think I’ve seen one yet.

he 480/77 interchange is indeed a terrific location for a sports venue,

Nah; that's what the Twins had and moved downtown. That's what Dallas did and it stinks out in the suburbs.
That's what the Detroit Lions did and moved downtown.

I don't quite where the Astrodome but even Houston a car-city moved the stadium downtown

Thirteen Cleveland Guardians prospects who could break into the big leagues in 2022

MESA, AZ - NOVEMBER 08, 2021: Richie Palacios #2 of the Scottsdale Scorpions bats during a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Sloan Park on November 8, 2021 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
By Zack Meisel Dec 14, 2021 51
CLEVELAND — In the span of a couple of years, Cleveland’s front office has transformed its roster from one of the oldest in the league into the youngest. With that overhaul came some growing pains and, in 2021, an 80-82 record.

The club called upon 14 rookies last season (and seven in 2020). In an article published before the season began, we listed 11 rookies who could contribute in the major leagues, and all but one — Nolan Jones — did. There probably won’t be as drastic of a youth movement in 2022 because, well, the roster is already filled with players who can’t legally rent a car.

The 2021 rookies: Bobby Bradley, Owen Miller, Ernie Clement, Daniel Johnson, Triston McKenzie, Eli Morgan, Emmanuel Clase, Sam Hentges, J.C. Mejía, Nick Sandlin, Justin Garza, Kyle Nelson, Francisco Perez, Trevor Stephan

The organization beefed up its upper-level starting pitching depth, a necessary development after a string of big-league injuries exposed a gap in the pitching pipeline. There’s also a wave of well-regarded position-player prospects on the way. With that in mind, here are 13 rookies who could break into the big leagues with the Guardians in 2022.

13. Oscar Gonzalez
2021 stats: .293/.329/.542 slash line in 121 games at Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus

The Guardians need outfield help and they need capable hitters in manager Terry Francona’s lineup. After a strong 2021 season in which he led the farm system with 31 home runs, it would stand to reason that Oscar Gonzalez might be a solution to those shortcomings. His path to the majors features some hurdles, though. Unlike fellow Triple-A outfielders Steven Kwan and Richie Palacios, Gonzalez is not on the 40-man roster. Should he survive the Rule 5 draft, the club did extend him an invitation to big-league camp, so he’d have an opportunity to flaunt his power (and maybe brush up on his defense a bit).

12. Tyler Freeman
2021 stats: .323/.372/.470 slash line in 41 games at Akron

Shoulder surgery shortened his 2021 season, but Tyler Freeman again proved he can rake against any level of pitching. Since the organization selected him in the second round in 2017, Freeman owns a .319/.378/.445 slash line. So while he has limited experience at Double A, his bat might not be that far from being big-league ready. There’s a bunch of middle-infield clutter in the upper levels of the minors (and, of course, in the majors), so Freeman might have to bide his time in Columbus, racking up base hits as he waits his turn.

11. Nick Mikolajchak
2021 stats: 39 2/3 innings, 3.18 ERA, 57 strikeouts, .222/.265/.431 opponent slash line

Nick Mikolajchak, 24, should ascend to Triple A in 2022. That would leave him one step away from the majors, and it helps his cause that the Guardians don’t have many relievers on their 40-man roster, nor many other relievers with big-league potential in the upper levels of the minors. So, with a strong showing in Columbus, Mikolajchak could force his way into the mix. The right-hander was the organization’s 11th-round pick in 2019, and later that year posted an 0.36 ERA in 25 innings at two low-level Cleveland affiliates.

10. Bryan Lavastida
2021 stats: .289/.380/.456 slash line in 84 games split among three levels

Cleveland’s current catching tandem is Austin Hedges and Sandy León, but odds are the club will add a catcher to pair with Hedges, bumping León to Triple A as insurance. The team needed that insurance like a teenage driver last season, as it cycled through Ryan Lavarnway, Wilson Ramos, René Rivera and even low-level minor leaguer Gianpaul Gonzalez. If the Guardians are forced to tap into their depth in a similar fashion — or if he demonstrates more development in the spring — Bryan Lavastida could earn a big-league chance. The 23-year-old has thrived at the plate, but as a converted infielder, he has more growth to attain behind it. Working with Hedges, León, catching coordinator Luke Carlin and six-time All-Star Sandy Alomar Jr. during spring training should help.

6-9. (tie) Logan T. Allen, Konnor Pilkington, Peyton Battenfield, Tobias Myers
Allen’s 2021 stats: 111 1/3 innings, 2.26 ERA, 143 strikeouts, .193/.251/.328 opponent slash line

Pilkington’s 2021 stats: 100 2/3 innings, 3.04 ERA, 120 strikeouts, .178/.270/.307 opponent slash line

Battenfield’s 2021 stats: 103 innings, 2.53 ERA, 131 strikeouts, .183/.236/.313 opponent slash line

Myers’ 2021 stats: 117 2/3 innings, 3.90 ERA, 146 strikeouts, .228/.279/.427 opponent slash line

They should all pitch in Triple A next season, and then it becomes a matter of need for the big-league club and a determination of which of the quartet is performing best in Columbus.

Logan T. Allen’s rise has been especially impressive, given 2021 was his first pro season after being selected in the second round of the 2020 draft out of Florida International. He split last season between High-A Lake County and Akron and posted sparkling walk and strikeout rates. His home run rate jumped after his midseason promotion, but overall he still limited opponents to one long ball per nine innings, a good sign for a southpaw blessed with pinpoint command.

The César Hernández trade could turn out to be more than worthwhile for Cleveland. Hernández struggled in Chicago and the White Sox declined his 2022 option; he instead signed a one-year deal with the Nationals. The Guardians netted Konnor Pilkington, whom they added to the 40-man roster last month. The 24-year-old was the White Sox’s third-round pick in 2018. Post-trade, he logged a 2.33 ERA in eight outings at Akron and limited opponents to a .187/.288/.299 slash line.

Peyton Battenfield had a standout 2021 season, splitting time among two Tampa Bay affiliates and Akron. He totaled nearly twice as many strikeouts as hits allowed and, as is the case with many Cleveland pitching acquisition targets, he boasted excellent walk and home run rates. The Guardians flipped Jordan Luplow to the Rays for Battenfield in July, and Tampa traded Luplow to Arizona this winter.

Cleveland obtained Tobias Myers from the Rays in November, as Tampa Bay needed to clear space on its 40-man roster. The Guardians were in a similar position, but they valued Myers’ presence. Myers, 23, split last season between Tampa Bay’s Double-A and Triple-A affiliates.

5. Gabriel Arias
2021 stats: .284/.348/.454 slash line at Columbus

Cleveland’s front office has a thing for wunderkinds, players who excel at a particular level despite being younger than most. Gabriel Arias fits that description. He has flashed power potential at the plate, and he boosted his walk rate in 2021, an encouraging development. He doesn’t have much left to prove in the minors, even though he won’t turn 22 until the end of February. The only hang-up is, well, where does he play?

He’s more than capable of handling shortstop, but the Guardians already have Amed Rosario and Andrés Giménez, with Yu Chang, Owen Miller and Ernie Clement waiting around to poach any opportunities that might surface. Arias won’t be the only prospect in the next few years to join this overcrowded game of middle-infield musical chairs.

3-4. (tie) Richie Palacios, Steven Kwan
Palacios’ 2021 stats: .297/.404/.471 slash line in 103 games for Akron and Columbus

Kwan’s 2021 stats: .328/.407/.527 slash line in 77 games for Akron and Columbus

Both guys make a lot of contact, which can elevate their floors and perhaps make them more appealing options (or, at least, complements) as backup or part-time outfielders than, say, Oscar Mercado or Bradley Zimmer. Steven Kwan and Richie Palacios, both 24, figure to compete for a big-league spot in spring training. It’s difficult to know what their ceilings are or where, exactly, they stand because of the lost 2020 minor-league season and because neither guy has an extensive track record.

They both played above A-ball for the first time in 2021. Kwan has appeared in 217 minor-league games, and Palacios played only 148, as shoulder surgery cost him his 2019 season as well. Palacios racked up 33 doubles and 20 stolen bases in 103 games, posting an expert walk rate and an impressively low strikeout rate. He also has some experience in the infield. Kwan walked more than he struck out, and he added some power to his profile, with 12 home runs, quadrupling his 2019 total (in 201 fewer plate appearances).

An established corner outfielder sits atop the front office’s winter wish list, but there could still be room for one or both of these players to seize an opportunity in 2022.

2. Cody Morris
2021 stats: 61 innings, 1.62 ERA, 93 strikeouts, .189/.263/.276 opponent slash line

Cody Morris had team evaluators swooning in the summer, as he pumped mid- to upper-90s fastballs past overmatched Triple-A hitters. He turned 25 last month but has racked up only 150 innings as a professional because of the pandemic and injuries. He could be one of the first in line to earn a look if a starting pitcher needs to be replaced. Or, he might make for an intriguing candidate for a bullpen spot.

1. Nolan Jones
2021 stats: .238/.356/.431 slash line in 99 games at Columbus

Nolan Jones’ star has faded a bit after what he described as a humbling season. He’s now recovering from ankle surgery and suddenly has plenty of competition — from Freeman, Arias, George Valera, Daniel Espino, Brayan Rocchio — for the top spot in the organization’s prospect rankings, a position he held for a couple of years.

Jones still walks at a healthy clip, but there was a greater chasm between his walk and strikeout rates in 2021 as both trended in the wrong direction. Evaluators are still waiting for him to tap into his power more, to flaunt the 25- to 30-homer potential many believe he possesses. He did fare far better against left-handed pitching in 2021 than he ever had, a welcome development.

Jones suffered his left ankle injury in late August, just as he “started to feel good after a really long time of not feeling good,” he told The Athletic. He stressed he needs to prove he can conquer Triple-A pitching before he can think about making his major-league debut, but it would be a shock if he didn’t break into the big leagues in 2022. Where he’ll play is another question. He spent 25 games in right field last season, along with 67 at third base, a position occupied at the moment by a perennial MVP candidate.

Caption from the picture of Palacios.

[MESA, AZ - NOVEMBER 08, 2021: Richie Palacios #2 of the Scottsdale Scorpions bats during a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Sloan Park on November 8, 2021 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images)/quote]

Guardians playing in the AFL????

someone needs a better copy editor

Cleveland Guardians Top 10 Prospects for 2022 Fantasy Baseball
December 15, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 28 Comments
by: The Itch

Youth is power among the low-payroll clubs, and no team exemplifies that more than Cleveland, who has been mostly successful in terms of wins and losses despite constantly feeling the creep of (air quotes) market forces. After an eventful 40-man roster deadline day that saw the club turn over 20+ percent of its personnel, Cleveland is on the verge of something new in more ways than one (cue the Starlord memes). This system is loaded, is what I’m saying, and though they’ve faced a recent downturn in on-field talent, that should be short-lived, especially on the pitching side.



Format: Position Player | Age on 4/1/2022 | Highest level played | ETA

1. SS Brayan Rocchio | 21 | AA | 2023

The team’s top prospect for the real game, too, Rocchio lit it up like Arcade Fire this year, especially in AA, where the 5’10” 170 lb switch hitter slashed .293/.360/.505 with 7 HR and 6 SB in 44 games. He’s been scrawny for much of his career so far but was always an explosive rotator and is adding in-game power as he tacks on his man strength. He’s kind of in a holding zone for dynasty, I think: not hyped enough to sell and too hyped to buy. I’m not sure that says what I’m thinking, which is basically that he’s a hold for now. The tram that has him probably loves him and reads the guys who have him top 25. Your offers are likely better sent elsewhere.



2. 1B Jhonkensy Noel | 20 | A+ | 2023

Listed at 6’1” 180 lbs, Noel seems bigger than that in the batter’s box, where he looks casual even while blasting 400-foot home runs. In just 38 games in Low-A, Noel hit 11 HR and slashed .393/.426/.693. I love that Cleveland then sent him to High-A. It’s not rocket surgery, but some teams would wait another month and see if he could bring up his walk rate or whatever, which Noel did anyway in High-A, jumping from 4.3% to 8.1% and slashing .280/.351/.550 with 8 HR and 3 SB in 26 games. Hard to imagine a better couple months from a 19 yo corner bat. Noel is climbing lists and looking like a Top 50 fantasy prospect if he hits early in AA. He might land close to that on my post-org-reports reshuffle.



3. OF George Valera | 21 | AA | 2023

The most famous name on this list, Valera started making noise on the field in 2021, posting an incredible .430 OBP in 63 games at High-A before moving on to AA for his final month. His final line in 86 games across the two levels: .260/.405/.505 with 19 HR and 11 SB. His selective aggressiveness and baserunning acumen should make him an asset in OBP leagues even if he’s slumping. He can get a little pull-happy at times, but that’s partly just him channeling the Cleveland coaching–a good sign for a great athlete who would be among the youngest players in AAA to open the 2022 season.



4. RHP Daniel Espino | 21 | A+ | 2023

Espino is the kind of guy you get questions about in the prospect writing game. The 24th overall pick in the 2019 draft, Espino was a celebrity in prospect circles before he graduated high school, with some projecting him as a top 5 pick. I liked him a lot heading into draft season and was surprised he fell to Cleveland deep in the round. He has repaid the club’s confidence, striking out his opponents at incredible rates since day one, never whiffing fewer than 30% and peaking at 45.1% across 49 innings at High-A this season, where he logged a 0.94 WHIP despite some gopher balls that ballooned his ERA to 4.04. He even cut the walk rate from 12.8% at Low-A to 8.2% at High-A. He’ll open 2022 in AA and figures to post similarly ridiculous rates thanks to a double-plus fastball that sits comfortably around 98 and a death-touch slider that means he could be pretty effective very early in his career a la Alek Manoah. And that’s not all he’s got. He’s a plus athlete at 6’2” 205 lbs and flashes solid curveballs and changeups if he ever needs to get that deep into his arsenal.



5. RHP Peyton Battenfield | 24 | AA | 2023

Acquired at the deadline from Tampa for OF Jordan Luplow and RHP DJ Johnson, Battenfield should flourish in Cleveland. At 6’4” 224 lbs, he brings an electric momentum to the mound via constant movement and consistent strikes from a brisk delivery. His heater eats up in the zone and tunnels well with his changeup and curveball, which he didn’t have to throw all that much in 103 innings that netted him a 0.825 WHIP across two levels. Tampa typically gets what it wants from its trades, but I’m a little stunned they bailed on Battenfield to add what they did. You want to sell Joe Ryan to add Nelson Cruz to the lineup? Sure, makes sense. Could’ve just signed him in the off-season but whatever. You want to trade a fire-breathing fastballer like this guy for Jordan Luplow? I mean, you’re the Rays so you do you and continue to be smarter than me and almost everyone else, but this is a weird one.



6. RHP Cody Morris | 25 | AAA | 2022

Like his dad Zach, Morris always looks cool and composed in the center of the frame, even holding a cordless phone twice the size of his head. He was a 7th round pick out of South Carolina in 2018 and follows a long line of big conference college arms through the Cleveland pipeline in that his pitches tunnel well, he has command of his off-speed arsenal and he’s added some velocity as a young Guardian. He dominated both upper levels last year, registering a 1.00 WHIP and 93 strikeouts in 61 innings. He was pitching around 96 mph with an 81 mph curveball in most of the outings I watched this season, so he’s not some finesse guy: we’re looking at a legitimate angle on some Cleveland pitching magic-slash-technology.



7. SS Tyler Freeman | 22 | AA | 2023

The dream for Freeman is that he adds power to his double-plus hit tool, and if you believed reports from the alt site in 2020, he was doing just that in the controlled setting of glorified batting practice. When the games resumed in 2021, Freeman was back to his singles-focused self, hitting just two home runs in 41 games. He did slash .323/.372/.470, and he was 1.9 years younger than the average at AA, but it’s hard to envision what kind of role he can fill without adding power. At 6’0” 190 lbs, he has the size to do it, but his swing is extremely short and quick—geared more toward long at bats than long bombs. He also spent a bunch of the season on the IL with a shoulder injury that ended his season and required surgery. He’ll open the year at AAA and could quickly establish himself as an option for Cleveland if he looks healthy.



8. SS Gabriel Arias | 22 | AAA | 2022

Which trade was this again? Oh yeah, Clevinger, which if you’ll recall, also included Cal Quantrill, who was excellent and certainly much more valuable than the absent Clevinger in 2021. Arias is a smooth defender who has taken his excellent hand-eye coordination to the batter’s box over the past few years. In a full season (115 games) at AAA in his age 21 season, Arias slashed .284/.348/.454 with 13 HR and 5 SB. Not a superstar season but damn impressive for a guy who skipped AA. I keep thinking about Cristian Pache as I type this, except that Arias never had the hype or speed of Pache but is similarly excellent in the field, which should secure his playing time as he continues to grow as a hitter.



9. LHP Logan Allen | 23 | AA | 2022

A great athlete with plus balance and command who repeats his delivery with ease, Allen fits the Cleveland mold for pitchers who exceed their on-paper projections. He’s not an ideal candidate to add velocity at 6’0” 190 lbs, but Cleveland tends to find a way, not that Allen has needed more than his low-90’s fastball, plus changeup and average curveball to this point. He went 9-0 in 19 starts across two levels this season with a 0.93 WHIP and 143 strikeouts in 111.1 innings. He’ll open the season in AAA and could be in Cleveland by July.



10. 3B Nolan Jones | 23 | AAA | 2022

Could put about fifteen names here, but the lanky lefty corner bat gets it over the rest because of his proximity and patience. I’ve always been down on Jones, comparatively, because I’m not sure he’s aggressive enough within the strike zone to hang against guys who just don’t give you much to hit and sure as shit aren’t going to walk you if you’re not going to swing. His numbers have always been padded by poor command at the lower levels, and he’ll simply need to adjust, which he started to do after a slow start in AAA. He finished with a functional .238/.356/.431 slash line along with 13 HR and 10 SB in 99 games, which isn’t great but would be an improvement on Cleveland’s outfield production over the past few years. If Jones doesn’t get a chance early this year, I’ll be wishing I gave this spot to Jose Tena or Gavin Williams, who offer more long-term upside for our purposes.

Sure it's a fantasy article but there were some real observations there and I couldn't resist the food for thought for civ.

I mean is he high on Rocchio or what???

Yep very interesting thanks.
Lots of very good talent and an organization that knows how to develop it

Also Cody Morris. Xzavion Curry. Maybe??? Steven Kwan. Richie Palacios
Bo Naylor in a system that puts defense first for catchers

Yeah Civ he did say a lot of guys could take Nolan Jones slot in
the rankings.

Progressive Field renovation plans, 2022 Guardians sleepers, fixing the outfield: Meisel’s year-end mega-mailbag



CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 26: Cleveland Indians fans watch warmups prior to the game against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field on September 26, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
By Zack Meisel 4h ago 8

CLEVELAND — For the final time in 2021, let’s get straight to your questions (which have been edited for length and clarity) …

What are the top 10 features you’d add to Progressive Field if you had complete control of the renovations? I would have asked for only three but this lockout’s gonna last a while, so we’ve got time. — Andy S.

A ball pit. A waterslide. Chocolate chip cookie stations.

I believe the organization should devote more energy to the area surrounding the ballpark. There seems to be a lot of uncapitalized real estate on Bolivar Road and Larry Doby Way that could be converted into some sort of pedestrian-only avenue filled with food trucks and beer/hot dog/merchandise stands, reminiscent of what fans enjoy in Baltimore, Boston and Seattle.

As for inside the ballpark, converting the shipping containers into a beer hall-type setup is long overdue. I’m somewhat surprised that isn’t first on the agenda, though I understand the Guardians are prioritizing the transformation of the dormant terrace club into something useful. I like their idea for an upper-deck walkway that emphasizes improved sightlines of the city and the action on the field.

There’s one idea I’ve voiced to anyone in the venue who will listen: some sort of museum, or a specific display, something far more elaborate than a couple of framed jerseys at The Corner. This club is a charter member of the American League, with 120 years worth of history and memorabilia to flaunt. And yet most of the archives — a telegram from Jackie Robinson to Bob Feller, a stockpile of jerseys and bats and baseballs and lineup cards and game programs and ticket stubs and old magazine covers — collect dust in a dimly lit storage closet in the back of a room that sits behind the area where the team barber trims players’ hair.

It’s a wasted opportunity to teach young fans about Feller, Tris Speaker, Doby and Jim Thome. Heritage Park is great, but for a franchise that employed larger-than-life characters and legends such as Satchel Paige, Frank Robinson, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Bill Veeck, Joe Charboneau, Manny Ramirez and Albert Belle, there’s potential for so much more.

Given the relative low cost in terms of dollars, the depth in the upper minors and the glaring need for help in the major-league outfield, would you go as far to say that the front office is being negligent if they don’t make a big push for (and ultimately land) one of the likes of Bryan Reynolds, Ketel Marte or Cedric Mullins? — Darren L.

I’m not sure “negligent” is fair because Cleveland has been in pursuit of an outfielder of that caliber since the summer and those players’ teams have all of the leverage in negotiations. But I do think it’s imperative that the Guardians fix the outfield, and limping into the regular season with, say, Andrew McCutchen or Tommy Pham in one corner and a Steven Kwan-Oscar Mercado platoon in the other would be a failure. They don’t have to come away from this winter with Reynolds, Mullins or Marte. There are plenty of other outfielders who could be obtained.

Why has the organization struggled so badly at drafting and developing outfielders? — Jacob C.

Think about everything you would have missed out on if they were better at this: Rajai Davis’ spellbinding mastery of Aroldis Chapman in Game 7. Austin Jackson’s mesmerizing flip over the Fenway Park fence. Those two weeks when fans chanted “Jer-ry, Jer-ry” every time Jerry Sands stepped into the batter’s box. Nyjer Morgan’s alter ego, Tony Plush.

OK, but really, it’s not so much about the specific position, despite the fact that Cleveland hasn’t drafted and developed an All-Star outfielder since Manny Ramirez. It’s not as though the organization provides different hitting tips to left fielders than it does to shortstops. It’s about developing hitters in general.

I covered this in detail here, but here’s the bottom line: If anyone knew the answer for the struggles in that realm, there wouldn’t be struggles in that realm. They’ve attempted to remedy the issue in recent years by using more data, prioritizing the acquisition of hitters with certain qualities that are more difficult to teach (such as strike-zone awareness and contact ability) and adapting their coaching structure to be able to offer each hitter an individualized plan.

Elon Musk buys the team tonight and says the Opening Day budget is $200 million. How should the Guardians spend it? — Dan C.

Hopefully he doesn’t relocate home games to the moon. I don’t think the weaker gravity there would help Shane Bieber’s curveball. But really, this is a thought exercise I’ve been planning to write about for weeks. Many have wondered, for instance, how the Guardians would adjust to the introduction of a salary floor if that’s part of the new collective bargaining agreement. We’ll tackle this in more detail in the near future.


Will Zach Plesac vent into his glove less in 2022? (Ken Blaze / USA Today)
Is Zach Plesac the most likely to be traded among players on the active roster? — Scotty H.

To me, it makes more sense, based on the configuration of the roster, to trade prospects now to address the team’s weaknesses and revisit moving Plesac or another starting pitcher in July or next winter. The Guardians learned the hard way last season not to take starting pitching depth for granted. While they’re in better shape now, with Cody Morris, Eli Morgan, Konnor Pilkington, Peyton Battenfield, Tobias Myers and Logan T. Allen all inching closer to the majors, they could let Plesac rebuild his trade value after a pedestrian 2021 season and gain more clarity on which starting pitchers they can build around.

Now that the team is officially the Guardians, what do you foresee the team nickname to be? ‘The Tribe’ has been a staple forever! It’s going to be difficult to replace it. — Livia G.

It’s a prudent question. The G-Men? That’s typically referred to the New York Giants. The Guard(s)? That might be the only option, but it’ll take some time to get acclimated to it.

Obviously the lockout affects all players, and you wrote earlier how young players are likely affected most. But if you had to guess, would you say young hitters or young pitchers have it worse, and why? — Ben G.

Hitters. Some pitchers don’t use the team facilities until closer to spring training anyway because they’re only throwing bullpen sessions until camp begins. The lack of communication between coaches and players is detrimental to everyone, especially young guys who are new to the big-league offseason routine or are attempting to make mechanical tweaks, craft a new pitch or, in Cleveland’s case, work with the new hitting coach. It would have been quite beneficial for, say, Bobby Bradley, Andrés Giménez or Kwan to connect with Chris Valaika to build a relationship and create a plan of attack for improving this offseason.

Does the minor-league season still happen if the lockout goes into the season? Players on the 40-man roster cannot participate? — Jonathan O.

Correct. Weird, huh? Let’s hope we don’t have to find out what that looks like.

Offseason fearless prediction: Who are some of the likely candidates for most improved player on the Guardians next season? — Bill L.

Giménez and Triston McKenzie were the first two names that popped into my head. I still believe Owen Miller can hit major-league pitching, but I’m not sure how he can carve out enough playing time to prove that, so I’ll go with Giménez, who should arrive at spring training with the inside track to starting at either shortstop or second base. His metrics trended in the right direction toward the end of the season, with his hard-hit rate and whiff rate looking much better in September. McKenzie, meanwhile, demonstrated how some confidence and conviction in his pitches can go a long way. He also alleviated some durability concerns by logging 141 innings after totaling 33 combined in the previous two years.

With some of the moves the other AL Central teams made over the past few years, what are realistic expectations for the Guardians in 2022 (assuming there’s a full season)? — Jake D.

FanGraphs recently revealed its ZiPS projections for the 2022 Guardians and pegged the team for a slightly better record than in 2021. That underscores how vital it is for the front office to make a few additions once the lockout ends.

The pitching staff possesses the potential to qualify as a playoff-caliber group. The lineup needs help at multiple positions. This team has a lot of possible variance because the roster is so young. It’s difficult to predict how a bunch of 24-year-olds will perform. Players at that stage of their careers can take giant leaps forward … or suffer through growing pains.

The White Sox will be the consensus favorite to win another AL Central crown. The Guardians probably need some external additions and internal growth to hang with them in ’22.

I keep thinking about the way the fan base has latched onto the Cavaliers the past six weeks. They’re young, exceeding expectations and have a bright future, and people have taken notice. For those not subject to the Sinclair/Bally’s cord-cutting issues, the Cavs have become appointment viewing. The Guardians could pull off something similar if they fortify the roster after the lockout. It’ll be up to ownership and the front office to make it possible.

Are the Guardians close enough to contending that they’d be better off spending José Ramírez money on a free-agent bat for the next two years? Ramírez may be my all-time favorite player, but if they buy out his last two years, they’re adding significantly to the payroll in 2022 and 2023 without improving the team. Can they extend Ramírez and fill out the lineup? — Brad A.

First off, this shouldn’t have to be an either/or proposition; the payroll is projected to sit at about $50 million. Again. Also, the Guardians can improve the lineup via trade without adding much to the payroll. So, yes, it’s possible to execute both, and I’d argue this is precisely how a team should operate after stripping its payroll to the bare minimum and creating the flexibility to retain its superstars and surround them with talent.

Most of the minor-league starting pitchers logged 100 innings or fewer last year, and the organization had both A-ball teams run six-man rotations with multiple piggyback options. Was that a one-off thing or do they plan to stretch out guys more next year? — Matthew S.

I’d expect workloads in most cases to trend toward the norm in 2022. Remember, there wasn’t a minor-league season in 2020. Every organization took extra precautions last season.

The Cleveland front office has an outstanding track record of winning trades. Is it possible they are paralyzed now because of a concern that they may trade the next great prospect? Something akin to the White Sox trading Fernando Tatis Jr. for James Shields? — John M.

When you stockpile well-regarded prospects who all play the same position (shortstop), you corner yourself into eventually making difficult trades. The Guardians are going to have to part with one or two of these middle infielders at some point. There’s always risk when trading unproven players. It’s a bit of a crapshoot. Many figured Clint Frazier (and Justus Sheffield) would make the Andrew Miller trade worthwhile for the Yankees, but it didn’t unfold that way. For a few minutes in 2020, it appeared Cleveland had committed a gaffe by flipping Willi Castro to the Tigers for Leonys Martín two years earlier.

Cleveland will never overpay for a veteran with a hefty paycheck. Shields was 34 when the White Sox acquired him and his $21 million annual salary for Tatis. The Guardians always prioritize younger big leaguers with team control when they dabble in the trade market. Cleveland’s executives have also developed a reputation for setting demands for a return for their players in a trade and refusing to budge from those expectations.

Here's from Meisel's earlier article about available outfielders:

The golden geese
Cedric Mullins, Orioles
Bryan Reynolds, Pirates
Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks

These three fit the same theme: an All-Star outfielder in the prime of his career on a team light years away from postseason contention. And, well, because of those factors, acquiring any of the three would likely cost a farm system fortune. Mullins and Reynolds have four years of control remaining. Marte has three, at a more-than-reasonable grand total of $27.4 million.

None of the three teams has any urgency to deal their star, which arms them with leverage in any negotiations. For that reason, it might be wise for them to at least listen to any suitors’ offers, which is why you might hear rumblings about such.

2021 production
Cedric Mullins
0.291
0.360
0.518
Bryan Reynolds
0.302
0.390
0.522
Ketel Marte
0.318
0.377
0.532
The Guardians dealt away talented veterans in recent years for batches of young players, which equipped them with the ammunition necessary to execute a trade like this. It just always boils down to the asking price. Different teams assign different values to different prospects. A deal for any of these three would require an offer so irresistible it tempts the team enough to press the accept button now, rather than this summer or next winter or the summer or winter after that.

All three can play center field, but that’s not as pressing of a need for the Guardians, though an outfield with Straw and another rangy defender could allow them to regularly play Reyes or another less mobile option in right field.

The intriguing guys with limited control (1-2 years)
Jesse Winker, Reds
Ian Happ, Cubs
Mitch Haniger, Mariners
Trey Mancini, Orioles
Whit Merrifield, Royals

These guys would all pique the Guardians’ interest. In fact, Cleveland is one of many teams to bug the Reds about Winker throughout the year. In Chris Antonetti’s ideal world, Cleveland would obtain an outfield upgrade who can stick around for more than a year or two.

Winker was one of the best hitters in baseball last season before injuries derailed his career year. He owns a career .888 OPS, which will suffice in any city, though it’s worth noting the stark contrast in his splits: a .960 OPS versus right-handed pitching and a .600 OPS versus left-handed pitching. Last season, it was even more pronounced: 1.070 OPS versus righties, .572 OPS versus lefties. Pair him with a Jordan Luplow/Ryan Raburn/Brandon Guyer type and a team would essentially be employing 9 3/4 hat size Barry Bonds in a corner outfield spot.

There’s some front-office familiarity with the Cubs now that Carter Hawkins has taken over as Chicago’s GM. Happ, who has experience at second, third and all three outfield spots, has two years of control remaining. Happ worked closely last season with Cleveland’s new hitting coach, Chris Valaika. The Mariners have an outfield surplus and Haniger is entering his contract year, but they’re also intent on contending in 2022, so they may prefer a major-league return.

If Cleveland believes Valera could be ready in 2023 and trusts Josh Naylor or Nolan Jones could fill a corner outfield spot in 2022, a stopgap of Haniger or Mancini’s caliber could be an option. Whit Merrifield hasn’t missed a game since 2018 and has two inexpensive years of control remaining, but it’s difficult to envision the Royals dealing him within the division.

Joey Gallo also has only one year of control remaining, and the Yankees have reportedly taken calls on the CEO of the three true outcomes. Miami’s Garrett Cooper and Arizona’s David Peralta could be candidates as well.

Not a bad consolation prize
Austin Meadows, Rays
Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Blue Jays
Max Kepler, Twins

Gurriel and Kepler have incredibly reasonable salaries, with two and three years, respectively, of control remaining. (Meadows, who is eligible for arbitration this winter, will be a free agent after the 2024 season.) A potential framework for any of these guys might have to involve big-league talent being exchanged by both sides, as the Rays and Jays are contending and the Twins are sort of caught in between. Toronto could use pitching. Tampa Bay is always ready to deal anyone for what it deems to be proper value.

Meadows and Kepler, both left-handed hitters, have pronounced contrasts in their career splits, both faring far better against right-handed pitching. Gurriel’s splits are about even.

What about all of those Mets?
Dominic Smith, Jeff McNeil, J.D. Davis, Brandon Nimmo

Following their barrage of position-player signings before the lockout — Starling Marte, Mark Canha and Eduardo Escobar — the Mets have a surplus of batsmen. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be in a rush to move some of their excess talent, but perhaps Cleveland could find a match, maybe with a starting pitcher, either a major-league commodity or someone in the upper levels of the minors who could debut in 2022.

Smith, McNeil and Davis each have three years of control remaining. They’re all aiming to rebound from subpar 2021 seasons, which could lower the price tag in a trade. They all have positional flexibility, a quality Cleveland typically covets. McNeil has spent time at second base, third base and both corner outfield spots. Smith has played first and left. Davis hasn’t rated well anywhere but has experience at first, third and left.

Smith: .252/.312/.441 career slash line
McNeil: .299/.364/.459 career slash line
Davis: .271/.354/.446 career slash line

Nimmo, who owns a career .393 on-base percentage, will be a free agent after the 2022 season.

The Angels in the outfield
Jo Adell, Brandon Marsh, Taylor Ward

These teams have matched up well in recent years, as the Angels are in constant need of starting pitching and Cleveland has needed outfield help since Tris Speaker patrolled center field at League Park. Adell and Marsh were prized prospects who have graduated to the majors. Perhaps Cleveland could prey on the Angels’ desperation to surround Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani with a competent pitching staff.

What David Blitzer joining the Cleveland Guardians as a minority investor would mean for the franchise



Sep 13, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers managing partner David Blitzer speaks at the podium during the sculpture unveiling ceremony honoring Charles Barkley at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex.

By Zack Meisel 43m ago 2

CLEVELAND — With the name change process complete and the Progressive Field lease extension secured, Guardians owner Paul Dolan has prioritized his pursuit of a minority investor in recent months, and it appears he’s zeroed in on his top target.

Dolan confirmed Monday he and David Blitzer have engaged in “meaningful discussions” about Blitzer purchasing a minority ownership interest in the franchise. The arrangement would include a pathway to majority ownership. Blitzer, 52, already has stakes in the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the Yankees’ Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre affiliate, as well as several soccer teams in Europe.

“He’ll be a great limited partner and he’ll be an outstanding controlling owner, if that day ever comes,” said Marc Ganis, a Chicago-based sports business expert. “People in baseball speak very highly of him, his character and his ability to get deals done.”

Dolan and former minority owner John Sherman have been shopping Sherman’s stake in the Guardians since Sherman left the organization to purchase his hometown Kansas City Royals in 2019. As The Athletic reported last month, Dolan has indicated he’s seeking a partner to acquire a larger portion of the franchise than the near-30 percent share that Sherman owned.

Dolan enlisted Allen & Co., a sports banking boutique, to direct a search to pinpoint a new partner. Five years ago, the same firm, led by Steve Greenberg, son of former Cleveland GM Hank Greenberg, identified Sherman as the right candidate. Allen & Co. was shopping equity representing 30 to 40 percent of the team, sources told The Athletic. Blitzer, according to a report by Sportico, would initially purchase about 35 percent of the franchise.

In the event of an agreement and an expected pathway to majority ownership, Dolan could dictate the timing of the eventual transfer of power. Sources said last month that Dolan was seeking to remain majority owner for about five more years. Sherman’s deal with Dolan also included a path to full control.

Cleveland’s brass had placed a $1.4 billion valuation on the franchise during conversations with prospective partners. The team carried a payroll of about $50 million last season, its lowest figure in a decade, and before the MLB lockout had not added any external talent to its major-league roster this winter. Dolan and team president Chris Antonetti, however, told The Athletic over the summer that the club’s payroll would increase during the offseason. Antonetti stressed that the team is “seeking to build from where we are right now.”

That could become more feasible with a new financial partner onboard. When Sherman joined Cleveland’s ownership group, the team’s payroll climbed to new heights, topping out at about $135 million in 2018. After the club’s run to the World Series in 2016, it signed Edwin Encarnación to a franchise-record three-year, $60 million deal.

Backing from a new investor could aid the team’s bid to extend 2020 Cy Young winner Shane Bieber or José Ramírez, the perennial MVP candidate who can become a free agent after the 2023 season.

“It is hard to tell how Blitzer will approach payroll and talent questions,” Andrew Zimbalist, a longtime sports economist and professor at Smith College, said in discussing a potential stake in the Guardians. “The current teams he owns (in the United States), the 76ers and the Devils, are in leagues with salary caps. The Dolans have followed a very conservative payroll policy, so the addition of Blitzer, and the possibility of his eventual control, suggest that the team may become more aggressive in the players market. Together with the renovation of Progressive Field, this prospective ownership change may be positive news for Guardians fans.”

The Dolans, a family of lawyers, purchased the franchise from the Jacobs family for $323 million in 1999. Forbes pegged the team’s value at $1.16 billion in March. Paul Dolan, now 63, took over as controller of the organization from his father, Larry, in 2013. Dolan told The Athletic over the summer that he sought a partnership with an investor who would contribute to ownership’s decision-making, rather than serve as a silent bankroller.

“Not to just sell to the highest bidder, but rather sell to the person who would be the best steward of the team moving forward,” Ganis said of Dolan’s motivations. “So if this happens, this will meet a lot of the criteria that Dolan and Sherman and Major League Baseball would have.”

Blitzer and Josh Harris are co-founders and managing partners of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the company that owns the Devils and 76ers. It’s unclear whether Harris would be involved in a Guardians deal. The duo sought ownership of the Mets last year before Steve Cohen emerged as the team’s new figurehead.

Different people can come into different parts of different deals,” said Victor Matheson, a sports economics professor at the College of Holy Cross. “You have this big ownership group, but it doesn’t mean that every owner has to be in on every deal. … You can have this family money or guys like Paul Allen or Steve Ballmer, who have scads and scads of money and buy their way in. The other way to do this is these ownership groups, where you have a bunch of people who are individual owners throwing in what they can, and you cobble together enough money to make that deal happen. That’s what happens here.”

In November, the franchise officially switched its name to Guardians, after more than a century as the Indians, the conclusion of a polarizing, yearlong process. Also last month, the Cleveland city council approved a new 15-year lease that includes $435 million of upgrades for Progressive Field. The pact contains a pair of five-year options that could keep the baseball team in downtown Cleveland through 2046.

With the name change and lease extension out of the way, nailing down a succession plan rose to the top of Dolan’s priority list, and the franchise’s stability in Cleveland offered more clarity to any potential investor.

“Blitzer knows he’s buying at least 15 years of Cleveland in this place and this is what his stadium is going to look like,” Matheson said. “That reduces a lot of the uncertainty on his part as well. If you’re a Cleveland fan, it certainly looks a lot more secure today than it did a year ago.”

— The Athletic’s Bill Shea contributed to this report.

Here’s why Cleveland Guardians protected Jhonkensy Noel
Updated: Dec. 21, 2021, 1:06 a.m. | Published: Dec. 20, 2021, 7:13 p.m.


By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Jhonkensy Noel was one of 11 players the Guardians added to the 40-man roster on Nov. 19. He was one of four, with George Valera, Brayan Rocchio and Jose Tena being the others, from the 2017 international free agent class to get the promotion.

If those four players keep progressing at their current pace, the scouts that put that 2017 class together deserve a raise.

Noel, 20, is a right-handed hitting third base-first baseman. He has soft hands and a good arm, but he doesn’t move that well so he may end up at first.


The 6-1, 180-pound Noel has big-time power. He hit 19 homers in 265 at-bats last season, while playing at the Arizona Complex League, Class A Lynchburg and Class A Lake County. The total would have been higher, but Noel missed most of June with an ankle injury.

Noel, Rocchio and Tena are 20. Valera is 21.

It’s rare for a team to add that many young players to the 40-man, but the Guardians did so with two things in mind. No. 1, they didn’t want to lose that kind of talent in the Rule 5 draft. No. 2, they could always use one or two of those players to sweeten a deal for the established big-league hitter they so desperately need.

Noel doesn’t have a chance to make the big league club this year. He’ll probably open the season at Lake County and advance to Class AA Akron if all goes well. But the Guardians couldn’t risk losing him for the Rule 5 asking price of $100,000 by leaving him unprotected.

On Friday’s Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, Paul Hoynes and Joe Noga discussed Nole’s future with Cleveland and how he can improve for the 2022 season.

Noel’s 2021 stats

70 games, 265 at-bats, 90 hits, 14 doubles, 19 homers, 66 RBI, 17 walks, 62 strikeouts, .390 onbase percentage, .615 slugging percentage, 1.005 OPS.

Noel’s contract status for 2022

This is Noel’s first year on the 40-man roster. He’ll probably sign a split contract that will pay him at the minimum in the big leagues and another amount in the minors.

Cleveland gave him a $100,000 signing bonus out of San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic in 2017.


Noel’s prospect rating

MLB Pipeline rates Noel as the Guardians 25th best prospect following the 2021 season. Baseball America rated Noel as the prospect with the best power in the Guardians’ farm system.

What Noel did well in 2021

Noel made hard contact and hit the ball a long way last season. One of his exit velocitiy’s measured 119 mph.

He hit .363 (69-for-190) with 12 homers and 48 RBI against righties and .300 (19-for-60) with seven homers and 17 RBI against lefties.

Noel hit .385 (20-for-52) with eight homers and 25 RBI with two outs and runners in scoring position. Against pitchers who were older than him, Noel hit .348 (89-for-256).

He hit day in and day out, batting .350 in May, .385 in July, .369 in August and .246 in September. He missed most of June with an ankle injury.

What Noel struggled with in 2021

He tends to get pull happy with his quick right-handed swing. He walked only 17 times last season in 290 plate appearances. He still had a .390 onbase percentage, but he’ll need to refine his strike zone as the competition improves.


What Noel needs to do in 2022

If Noel can continue to show the power he’s displayed through his first three years of pro ball, how could the Guardians ask for more? It would be good if he could settle in at third or first base, but the Guardians like versatile players so he’ll probably keep moving between the two spots. Perhas, somewhere down the road, could he get tested in the outfield?

Evaluating your Cleveland Guardians trade proposals for José Ramírez, Bryan Reynolds, Cedric Mullins and more



Sep 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Bryan Reynolds (10) makes a catch on a ball hit by Washington Nationals shortstop Alcides Escobar (not pictured) for an out during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

By Zack Meisel 4h ago 16

CLEVELAND — Don’t shoot the messenger. These are your trade proposals, your master plans to land Bryan Reynolds or Cedric Mullins in Cleveland, or to trade away José Ramírez. The messenger will, however, chime in with his thoughts on the Cleveland perspective, and I solicited The Athletic’s beat writers to do the same for the teams they cover. Let’s see if any of you are equipped to replace Chris Antonetti one day.

Part two coming Wednesday

SS Gabriel Arias, SP Daniel Espino and OF Oscar Mercado to the Pirates for OF Bryan Reynolds — Aaron C.
Pittsburgh’s perspective: The combination of Arias (raw power and plus defense) and Espino (ace potential, some say) is very tempting. Both are close to the majors. (Arias probably gets there next year and Espino sometime in 2023.) Mercado doesn’t really move the needle, based on his age (27), career arc (arbitration-eligible after the 2023 season) and .197/.264/.313 slash line in the majors over the past two years. And if Arias is the Pirates’ shortstop next season, top prospect Oneil Cruz could be switched to a right fielder (which I think has been management’s plan all along, anyway). If there was another pitcher in the package instead of Mercado, the Pirates would be more willing to pull the trigger. — Rob Biertempfel

Cleveland’s perspective: The organization has amassed an impressive amount of starting pitching depth, with five or six guys who could be ready to debut in 2022, plus five or six hundred, it seems like, in the lower levels whom the club selected in the 2021 MLB Draft. But there’s only one Espino. His fastball routinely registers triple digits on the radar gun. His slider is an effective secondary pitch. He’s a couple of years away, but he’s the one pitching prospect in the farm system who possesses the potential to be elite. If the Guardians are willing to move him, then they’d probably also have no problem sweetening this offer a bit, if that’s what the Pirates demand. Mercado is simply filler in a trade like this, and they have a stockpile of shortstop prospects, so Arias could be deemed expendable.

Who says no: The Pirates

SP Zach Plesac, 3B Nolan Jones, SS Jose Tena and a PTBNL to the Pirates for OF Bryan Reynolds and JT Brubaker — Scotty H.
Pittsburgh’s perspective: I like the idea of setting up a homecoming for Brubaker, a Springfield, Ohio, native who played college ball at Akron. But by including a pitcher off the Pirates’ active roster — pitching is the team’s biggest need — you’re pushing the get-back demand into the stratosphere. Yes, Plesac is an upgrade for the rotation, but the Pirates will need more help down the road, too. Jones had a tough year at Triple A (.238/.356/.431), but then again, he was 3 1/2 years younger than most guys in that league this year. The mystery player makes this offer a bit difficult to judge. It would have to be a quality pitcher; that’s non-negotiable. — Rob Biertempfel

Cleveland’s perspective: The outlooks for Brubaker and Plesac are pretty similar, and both pitchers have four years of team control remaining.

FanGraphs’ Steamer projection for Brubaker in 2022: 4.24 ERA, 1.9 WAR
FanGraphs’ Steamer projection for Plesac in 2022: 4.74 ERA, 1.1 WAR

FanGraphs’ ZiPS projection for Brubaker: 4.46 ERA, 1.3 WAR
FanGraphs’ ZiPS projection for Plesac: 4.55 ERA, 1.6 WAR

So, if we view this as Jones, Tena and a player to be named for Reynolds, unless that player is José Ramírez or Shane Bieber (OK, and maybe Espino or George Valera), this is a no-brainer for Cleveland. If the Pirates prefer another young starting pitcher prospect, the Guardians could toss in Xzavion Curry, Ethan Hankins, Carlos Vargas, Tanner Burns or Logan Allen.

Who says no: The Pirates

SP Daniel Espino, OF George Valera, SS Andrés Giménez and SP Josh Wolf to the Pirates for OF Bryan Reynolds — Brian M.
Pittsburgh’s perspective: This one is very interesting. It meets the “include two pitchers and one of them had better be named Espino” requirement. Giménez isn’t really someone the Pirates need — they’ve got a glut of shortstops in the minors — plus he was banished to Triple A last season after hitting .179/.226/.308. Valera really caught my attention as an outfielder with middle-of-the-lineup upside. Nice, although Wolf projects as a mid-rotation guy and he scuffled a bit last season. I wouldn’t jump and take this offer right away, but it’s the most alluring of the four we cover here. — Rob Biertempfel

Cleveland’s perspective: Valera and Espino might be the two most uniquely gifted players in Cleveland’s system. The Guardians don’t really have another pitcher as imposing as Espino, and they rarely employ outfield prospects of Valera’s caliber. That makes it difficult to deal both of them in the same trade. The Guardians could stomach the departure of Giménez and Wolf, given the depth at their positions.

Who says no: The Guardians

INF Tyler Freeman, SP Daniel Espino, SS Carson Tucker and a low-level pitcher to the Pirates for OF Bryan Reynolds — Eric F
Pittsburgh’s perspective: There he is, at last, the Guardians’ No. 1 prospect in the eyes of MLB Pipeline and Baseball America. Then again, some evaluators have noted that Cleveland’s system doesn’t really have a clear top guy; it could just as easily be Valera, Espino or Jones. And two pitchers! Everyone tells me Freeman is a hell of a hitter, but if I may be greedy for a minute (and I will), the Pirates would prefer someone with a skosh more power. — Rob Biertempfel

Cleveland’s perspective: Given his exceptional contact ability and his speed, Freeman probably has the highest floor among Cleveland’s crop of middle-infield prospects. There are questions about his power (a lot of doubles, but only nine career home runs) and a lack of durability after shoulder surgery ended his 2021 campaign far too early. Tucker, whose brother, Cole, plays for the Pirates, should finally see some regular action in 2022 after being Cleveland’s first pick in the 2020 draft. This isn’t a trade that would be detrimental to the Guardians in the short term; there’s a lot of boom-or-bust potential for Pittsburgh.

Who says no: The Pirates

SP Triston McKenzie, 3B Nolan Jones and SS Andrés Giménez to Baltimore for OF Cedric Mullins — Sarah R.
Cleveland’s perspective: Mullins is another perfect fit for Cleveland as an outfielder with plenty of team control. He was the majors’ only player with 30 homers and 30 stolen bases in 2021 (and he added 37 doubles). Ramírez came close, with 36 homers and 27 stolen bases. Understandably, the asking price for Mullins will be exorbitant. Jones and Giménez would be expendable for Cleveland in a deal for such a productive player at a position of need.

Baltimore’s perspective: The Orioles really don’t want to trade Mullins and would have to be really excited about an offer to pull the trigger. But this is a really good offer. Really good. They would want a controllable, young top-of-the-rotation-type starter and a potential impact bat, and McKenzie and Jones fit those criteria. I think the Orioles would have to be convinced that Jones could stay at third base long term because they have Ryan Mountcastle as their current and future first baseman. I like the idea of Giménez as an MLB-ready defensive shortstop for an inexperienced pitching staff, but I’m not sure the Orioles would prioritize that as the third piece. I think they would probably prefer another young pitcher with upside — a Logan T. Allen type, for instance. My guess is McKenzie, Jones, a middle infielder (Giménez type) and another lottery ticket pitcher would make them seriously consider dealing a 27-year-old All-Star with four more years of club control. — Dan Connolly

Who says no: With a little more work, perhaps no one

SP Eli Morgan, OF Oscar Mercado and SS Jose Tena to Baltimore for OF Austin Hays — Josh C.
Cleveland’s perspective: The Guardians would probably aim higher in their pursuit of an everyday corner outfielder, but Hays is mildly intriguing. He produced a standout season at High A and Double A in 2017 that landed him on the top 25 prospects lists at Baseball America and MLB Pipeline, but it’s been a rocky road since. He did register a .769 OPS in 2021, his first full season in the majors. His low walk rate limits his offensive profile, but none of the three players Cleveland would exchange are core pieces, so this trade might not be a bad idea as a fallback option.

Baltimore’s perspective: This is another solid offer. I think if the Orioles are trading away an outfielder, they would much rather deal Anthony Santander than Hays, simply because of club control. That said, Morgan and Tena fit what the Orioles are looking for: young pitching and middle-infield depth. I would imagine, even with losing Hays, Mercado wouldn’t be that enticing. Outfield is an Orioles strength, so they would probably prefer to fill Hays’ absence internally and instead look for another pitcher in a deal like this. — Dan Connolly

Who says no: Neither side, though there isn’t much urgency to make this deal

Eli Morgan and Andrés Giménez to Baltimore for Trey Mancini — Larry W.
Cleveland’s perspective: The Guardians would be dealing from two areas of depth, but Giménez was the key piece of the Francisco Lindor trade. It’s difficult to envision them flipping him for Mancini, who can become a free agent after the 2022 season.

Baltimore’s perspective: This is tricky. Despite Mancini’s high character, clubhouse leadership and reliable bat, he probably doesn’t fit this organization’s vision for the future. So, you’d think you’d take what you can get now. But the fan base is emotionally tied to the 2021 Comeback Player of the Year, and the Orioles need to deal him for a package that feels right, and this feels a little light. That said, objectively, it’s not a bad offer. I guess it depends on how much the Orioles like Morgan, who fits their profile of high strikeouts/low walks. But that home run rate in Camden Yards could be scary. — Dan Connolly

Who says no: Both teams

José Ramírez to the Mariners for Julio Rodríguez — Jason C.
Cleveland’s perspective: Rodríguez would be a dream acquisition for Cleveland, a soon-to-be 21-year-old outfielder who seems like a lock to be a steady, potent force at the plate. This organization hasn’t had that since Michael Brantley departed after the 2018 season. Rodríguez’s career minor-league slash line: .331/.412/.543. A one-for-one trade doesn’t really fit Cleveland’s M.O., though they also haven’t traded for prospects of Rodríguez’s caliber. There’s also a lot to sort out before they consider trading away their cornerstone player. Can they ink Ramírez to an extension? Does a new minority investor help their cause? Are they ready to pull the plug on 2022 and perhaps 2023?

Seattle’s perspective: Hey, now that is a doozy of a trade proposal. I hate to be that guy and throw water on a potentially fun deal, but the Mariners have zero interest in moving Rodríguez. And this has nothing to do with what they — and everyone else — thinks about Ramírez as a player. He’s a great player, there’s no denying that. And the Mariners need an impact bat and a third baseman. If there was a way to acquire him without dealing Rodríguez, I’m sure the Mariners would be all ears. And for where they are in their rebuild — coming off a 90-win season with postseason aspirations for 2022 — he would fit this group nicely.

The issue here is they love Rodríguez, the player and the person. He could be a generational talent or, at the very least, a really, really good big leaguer. He lights up a room. He’s generous, gregarious and happy all the time. He’s been a great player in the minors, and I’m certain we’ll see him in Seattle in 2022. — Corey Brock

Who says no: The Mariners (and maybe both teams at the moment)

3B José Ramírez to Toronto for OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr., INF Cavan Biggio and either C Danny Jansen or C Alejandro Kirk — Kevin O.
SP Shane Bieber and 3B José Ramírez to Toronto for OF Teóscar Hernandez, OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr., SP Nate Pearson and C Reese McGuire. — Kevin S.
Amed Rosario, Logan S. Allen, Carlos Vargas to Toronto for Alejandro Kirk — Howard H.
Cleveland’s perspective: Let’s start with the second trade proposal. Cleveland is in no rush to trade Ramírez and Bieber, and it wouldn’t make sense to stick both players in the same deal instead of maximizing the value of each separately. In the first trade, the return is light, especially if it’s Jansen instead of Kirk. Like Ramírez, Gurriel has two more years of team control remaining, so he doesn’t make much sense as the key piece. In the third scenario, Kirk could partner with Austin Hedges next season and with Bryan Lavastida/Bo Naylor after that. Plus, Rosario’s future with the Guardians is murky.

Toronto’s perspective: The Blue Jays would do the first trade, but, uh, would the Guardians? I know it’s three-for-one, but that’s a pretty lopsided trade in favour of Toronto and I’d think the Guardians would want some younger prospects thrown in, too. The second one is interesting because it includes Pearson, but again, it’s pretty lopsided. Yes, I think the Blue Jays would take this deal for an MVP candidate and a Cy Young winner — you guys know Bieber isn’t a free agent until after 2024, right?! — but I doubt Cleveland would offer it. After the first two blockbusters, I’m a little underwhelmed by the third option. I don’t think that trade really addresses a major need nor delivers an immediate impact for the Blue Jays, which is what they’d be looking for. So I’d think they’d aim higher when moving Kirk. — Kaitlyn McGrath

Who says no: The Guardians to the first two, the Blue Jays to the third

In case you missed it, read our in-depth Ramírez trade discussion on a potential Guardians-Blue Jays deal.

SP Zach Plesac to the Mets for 1B/LF Dominic Smith and OF Khalil Lee — Geordy B.
New York’s perspective: Wow … major-league talent for major-league talent? Do those trades still happen? This is the type of deal the Mets should be contemplating. After an outstanding 2020 that earned him some down-ballot MVP votes, Smith never got on track last season. He’s been a square peg in the round hole of left field, though the adoption of a universal designated hitter would allow the Mets to more seamlessly play Pete Alonso and him at the same time. Acquired last winter in a three-team deal with Boston and Kansas City, Lee had a rough cameo in the majors in May before excelling the rest of the way in Triple A. He should be the Mets’ fourth outfielder at some point in 2022 with a chance to take over a starting role the next year should Brandon Nimmo leave in free agency. This is all to say that Smith and Lee would have roles, and not insignificant ones, for the Mets in the next year-plus. But they’re also not indispensable, and the team needs another reliable starter more than it needs a possible DH and fourth outfielder.

The question for the Mets is this: Is Plesac good enough to be that reliable starter? The results in 2019 and 2020 suggest he is, but the step backward this year is concerning. He was bottom-five in the majors in strikeout rate last season, and he isn’t the kind of groundball machine that can compensate for that. There just aren’t a lot of examples of that profile being sustainably successful, outside of a good year here and there.

Plesac’s four years of control are certainly appealing for a team whose four other set starters could all be free agents by the end of 2023. But there’s also the chance he’s not much of an upgrade over Tylor Megill and David Peterson in the hierarchy. So I think this is something the Mets would have on the back burner: They can look at using money rather than players to acquire someone for the back half of the rotation, or consider a package like Smith and Lee for a pitcher with a different profile than Plesac. — Tim Britton

Cleveland’s perspective: The Guardians are asking the same questions about Plesac. Therefore, it might make more sense to hang onto him for another year and determine this summer or next winter which starting pitchers they want to build around. The Mets do have a handful of position players Cleveland should inquire about, though, including Smith, Jeff McNeil and J.D. Davis.

Who says no: The Mets, and maybe both teams, but these front offices should get in touch