Cleveland Guardians News

Covering the Corner: Guardians News: Francisca named AFL All-Star

Guardians News: Francisca named AFL All-Star

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George Valera, the former top prospect who homered in the 2025 Wild Card Series, is one of 10 Guardians players to elect free agency Wednesday. Catcher Dom Nunez is also on the list. Cleveland doesn't appear to have tried to keep Valera. 👋

Guardians Lose George Valera, 9 Others to Free Agency

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Orioles declined Ryan Mountcastle's $7.5M option, making him a free agent, but the argument is that Cleveland should pass. After Rhys Hoskins' .682 OPS, trusting Ralphy Velazquez (.928 OPS across Double-A and Triple-A) beats another buy-low bat. 🚫

Guardians need to avoid filling first base vacancy with Orioles castoff

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Parker Messick's Cy Young finalist nod, alongside Cam Schlittler and Dylan Cease, earns Cleveland an extra pick after the first round of the 2027 Draft via the PPI. His 2.56 ERA and 193 strikeouts keep paying off beyond the box score. 📈

Parker Messick’s historic rookie season just provided Guardians with great team-building piece

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Ex-Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas is officially a free agent after finishing 2026 with Atlanta, with solid centerfield defense as his draw. With a Dec. 1 lockout looming and Steven Kwan's status unsettled, Cleveland's outfield picture bears watching. 🧤

Ex-Guardians Outfielder Officially Reaches Free Agency

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Cleveland's Travis DeLauter is ranked among the 2026 rookies in MLB Pipeline's long-term value list, though the available details don't show where he lands. Konnor Griffin and Kevin McGonigle hold the top two spots.

Ranking '26 rookies based on long-term value

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Heston Kjerstad, a former Guardians trade-chatter regular, is now a free agent after the Orioles released him once he cleared waivers. The ex-No. 2 pick hit .217/.280/.359 in 117 MLB games, and spent nearly all of 2026 at Triple-A. 🔍

Former Orioles prospect who every Guardians fan wanted just unexpectedly hit free agency

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Blue Jays declined their $8M option on Myles Straw, paying a $1.75M buyout and making him a free agent. That wipes out the 2022 extension the Guardians already shipped to Toronto, closing the book on one of their costlier misses. 📕

Blue Jays’ latest decision frees them from one of the biggest mistakes in recent Guardians history

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Jose Devers, a 23-year-old infield prospect, has elected free agency, leaving Cleveland's crowded infield mix. He hit a career-best .270 with Double-A Akron in 2026, but finished the year on the 60-day IL. 🧳

Guardians' .270 Hitting Prospect Leaves Contract

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Free agent shopping list, part two: nine more names the Guardians could consider from MLB Trade Rumors' projections, including relievers Blackburn, Okert and Loaisiga, plus Pederson, Bieber and Bohm. Pederson is called a long shot; the bullpen arms are best on shorter deals. 🛒

More Free Agent Fits for the Guardians

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Parker Messick is a top-three finisher for both AL Cy Young and Rookie of the Year, which earns Cleveland an extra compensation pick in the 2026 draft. That gives the Guardians five picks in the top 70-75, and a much bigger bonus pool. 🎯

Guardians News: Messick is Top Three for Two Awards

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Lane Thomas's Guardians tenure looks a bit better after the Nationals designated José Tena, one of the prospects Cleveland sent for him, for assignment. Tena hit .222/.302/.370 in 114 games. Thomas's ALDS Game 5 grand slam still stands as the high point. 💥

Guardians previous Lane Thomas trade looks a bit better thanks to Nationals’ latest roster move

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Steven Kwan's Gold Glove streak ended at four. He was a finalist but lost to Boston's Ceddanne Rafaela after splitting time between left and center to fit in Chase DeLauter. Kwan still posted +6 Outs Above Average, mostly from center. Streak over, glove still golden-ish.

Guardians outfield instability robbed Steven Kwan on chance to make Gold Glove history

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Guardians have two award finalists: Parker Messick is up for AL Cy Young, and Cade Smith for AL Reliever of the Year, a new award for 2026. Winners will be announced the week of Nov. 9. The headline also lists Messick for Rookie of the Year. 🏆

Watch LIVE as BBWAA Awards finalists are announced (MLB Network)

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Colin Rea hit free agency after the Cubs declined his $7.5M option for 2027 (taking a $1M buyout). One writer argues the veteran swingman, a 4.13 ERA over two Cubs seasons, could fit Cleveland's bullpen at around $5M. 🔍

Cubs just gifted Guardians chance to sign relief arm who would fill obvious need in bullpen

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Guardians owe $1.75 million after Toronto declined Myles Straw's $8 million 2027 option. Under the 2025 trade terms, Cleveland covers the buyout. Straw hits free agency, and the Guards pay without making a move. 💸

Guardians Pay $1.75 Million After Blue Jays Release Outfielder

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A writer floated nine potential Guardians free-agent fits from FanGraphs' top 50, using Ben Clemens' projected contracts. Evan Phillips and Nick Martinez top the wish list, while Ty France is the only bat. These are hypotheticals, not reported interest. 🧐

Free Agent Fits for the Guardians

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Former Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz begin standing trial today over an alleged gambling scandal. Elsewhere, Tanner Bibee won an AL Gold Glove, and Luke Hill (.999 OPS) and Welbyn Francisca (1.237) are thriving in the Arizona Fall League.

Guardians News: Clase and Ortiz on Trial Today

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Ex-Guardians slugger Franmil Reyes signed a four-year, $40M extension with Japan's Nippon-Ham Fighters, making him NPB's highest-paid player ever. He hit .313 with 32 homers in 2026, a long way from his 2022 DFA in Cleveland. 💰

Massive Franmil Reyes extension makes forgotten Guardians slugger one of highest-paid overseas MLB players ever

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