He was quite a character; knew is stuff and how to shutup the crazy callers.

Congratulations to all whose candidates won on Tuesday and condolences to those whose candidates did not.
Back to baseball.

Guardians injury updates & roster moves
November 25th, 2024

https://www.mlb.com/guardians/news/guar ... ster-moves

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Guardians Should Consider Reunion With This Free Agent Pitcher

The Colorado Rockies non-tended Cal Qauntrill on Friday evening, making him an unrestricted free agent.

The right-hander is coming off a respectable 2024 season in which he posted a 4.98 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, and 93 ERA+. This includes solid numbers at Coors Field, which is infamous for inflating pitcher's stats due to its high elevation.

The Guardians traded Quantrill almost a year ago to the date to give themselves more options with the 40-man roster. But a lot has changed since then.

With Quantrill looking for a job as a starter and the Guardians needing more arms in their rotation, a reunion between the two sides would make a lot of sense.

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Former Guardians Playoff Hero Signs Minor League Deal With Padres

It's always fun to track a player's career after they leave the organization they came up in. Plenty of former Cleveland Guardians players who once made a major impact on Cleveland's rosters are still scattered throughout MLB.

One of those players is Oscar Gonzalez, who just signed a Minor League deal with the San Diego Padres for the 2025 season.

Gonzalez will always be known for his incredible rookie season and historic postseason run with the Guardians. In 2022, he hit .296/.327/.461 with an OPS of 788. These stats included 11 home runs and 27 doubles.

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Guardians Urged to Pursue Another Trade with Cubs

Rowan Kavner of Fox Sports has suggested one intriguing trade that the Guardians could consider for starting pitching help. He has thrown out the idea of Cleveland pulling off another trade with the Chicago Cubs, this time to acquire Jameson Taillon.

Taillon would be a very intriguing target for the Guardians. He would be a major upgrade for their rotation and could help fill a major weakness from last season.

Of course, these two teams have already pulled off one trade together this offseason. Cleveland sent relief pitcher Eli Morgan to the Cubs. Now, they could try to acquire a win now piece from Chicago.

During the 2024 MLB season with the Cubs, Taillon ended up making 28 starts. He compiled a 12-8 record to go along with a 3.27 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, a 3.8 K/BB ratio, and 165.1 innings pitched.

Those numbers are exactly what the Guardians could use. If they could find a way to re-sign Shane Bieber and acquire a talent like Taillon, they would come away with a big win from the offseason.

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Guardians Elite Prospect Could Be Rookie Of The Year Contender In 2025

MLB.com looked at each team and identified one possible 2025 Rookie of the Year candidate for them. Their choice for the Cleveland Guardians was No. 2 ranked prospect Chase DeLauter.

Here's what their team of writers had to say:

"Foot and leg injuries have slowed DeLauter's progress since he became the first first-round pick from James Madison (16th overall in 2022), but he'll be a franchise cornerstone if he can stay healthy. Few prospects can match his package of size (6-foot-3, 235 pounds), athleticism, performance and plate discipline. He slashed .261/.341/.500 with eight homers in 39 games between three levels (mostly in Double-A), then ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Arizona Fall League for the second straight year."

Delauter, 22, could have made his major league debut in 2024 if he hadn't suffered a pair of injuries at the beginning of the minor league season. Despite those setbacks, he still put together a solid season, showing much promise as a power-hitting outfielder.

His status as a legit Rookie of the Year candidate in 2025 could come down to when (and if) he gets the call-up.

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This Outfielder Could Be An Intriguing Free Agent Target For Guardians

If the Guardians do take the route of spending some money this winter, then free-agent outfielder Michael Conforto could be an option for Cleveland.

Conforto is coming off a solid year as a member of the San Francisco Giants.

Conforto would be a welcome addition to Cleveland's outfield position group. He would slide in perfectly into the right field mix and could keep that spot warm until Chase DeLauter is ready to make the jump to the major league level.

The 31-year-old also has solid splits against right-handed pitching, posting a career .257/.359/.479 slash line and a .838 OPS against righties.

Ideally, Conforto could be an everyday player in Cleveland's lineup. But at the very worst, the Guardians could use him as a platoon partner with Lane Thomas.

The bottom line is that the Guardians need more offense from their outfield.

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Guardians Connected to Trade for Tempting Power Hitter

Outside of Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor, the Guardians didn't have a whole lot of power in their lineup in 2024, so adding someone with legitimate home-run power should be a priority.

That's why James Mastrucci of Away Back Gone is urging Cleveland to try and swing a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays to acquire infielder Brandon Lowe.

"Lowe also has positional flexibility, having appeared at second, first, and the outfield during his career (Lowe did not play outfield for Tampa Bay in 2024 but did in previous seasons)," Mastrucci wrote. "If the Guardians were to acquire Lowe, they could similarly use him to how Daniel Schneemann was used in 2024, but with a significantly higher offensive upside."

While Lowe is primarily a second baseman, he has the ability to play multiple positions, so he could forge somewhat of a super-utility role with the Guardians in 2025.

The 30-year-old slashed .244/.311/.473 with 21 home runs and 58 RBI over 425 plate appearances this past season.

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Guardians Urged To Sign This Veteran Starting Pitcher

The Cleveland Guardians have multiple pressing roster needs they need to address this offseason. The most important of those needs is adding more starting pitching.

But who?

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com recently compiled a list of one free agent who could make sense for every team. For the Guardians, he identified RHP Michael Lorenzen as a fit.

Here's what he had to say about the starting pitcher.

"The potential loss of Shane Bieber and Matthew Boyd will leave Cleveland not only with holes to fill in the rotation, but also a veteran presence on the staff. Lorenzen pitched well for the Rangers (3.81 ERA in 101 2/3 innings) and even better for the Royals (1.57 ERA in 28 2/3 innings) following a midseason trade, though a hamstring injury kept him out for most of September," wrote Feinsand.

Lorenzen would be a good fit in Cleveland. But then again, any veteran starting pitcher would be a logical fit to join the Guardians, given how much help they need in that area.

As Feinsand points out, Lorezen's experience and potential leadership of a young pitching group make him an intriguing target for Cleveland.

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Guardians' Hated Rival Makes Bold Comment on Cleveland Fans

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal faced the Guardians during the ALDS, so he got a full taste of what the Cleveland faithful is like during postseason baseball.

Well, this week, Skubal decided to give Guardians fans their flowers.

"That environment, too, hats off to those fans," Skubal said on the Pardon My Take podcast. "That place was rocking. That place was buzzing. ... That was a really good environment for a postseason game."

Skubal then compared Cleveland to Houston, and for him, the edge went to The Land.

"We played in Houston, too, and Houston's loud," Skubal said. " ... But I thought Cleveland was a better environment."

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Jan. 7: Mystery team involved in Sasaki sweepstakes?

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He is signing with the Dodgers.

as would be expected

some mystery!

Not announced where I've looked.

The Cleveland Guardians won the team Gold Glove Award as the best defensive team in the American League.

I did not know that.

wasn't aware of such award

"One hit? One (expletive) hit?" "Don't worry; nobody's listening anyway," to his broadcasting partner when he's reminded not to curse on air. And, of course, "Juuust a bit outside," an understatement about a pitch to the backstop from Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn.

"Heywood (portrayed by Brewers pitcher Pete Vuckovich) leads the league in most offensive categories, including nose hair. When this guy sneezes, he looks like a party favor."

"Just a reminder, fans, comin' up is our 'Die-Hard Night' here at the stadium. Free admission to anyone who was actually alive the last time the Indians won a pennant."

The 6 best Bob Uecker Major League quotes to remember after legend's death

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2025/01/major- ... otes-video

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The Blue Jays announced that they have acquired outfielder Myles Straw, cash, and 2025 international bonus pool space from the Guardians. Cleveland receives a player to be named later or cash in return. Per Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, the Jays are adding $2MM of pool space in the deal. Davidi had reported earlier that the Jays were looking to add pool space. Nicholson-Smith and Davidi further report that Cleveland is covering $3.75MM of the money that is still owed to Straw. Per Zack Meisel of The Athletic, that will be $1MM in both 2025 and 2026, followed by $1.75MM after that.

Excellent deal !

Christy Mathewson

The Baseball Scholar MLBTR

Christy Mathewson, one of the most celebrated figures in Major League Baseball (MLB) history, holds a unique place in the pantheon of baseball legends. Renowned for his exceptional pitching skill, unwavering sportsmanship, and profound impact on the game, Mathewson set a standard of excellence both on and off the field. His career, which spanned from 1900 to 1916, coincided with the rise of baseball as America’s national pastime. We’ll delve into Mathewson’s illustrious career, analyzing his statistics, achievements, and enduring influence on the game.

Christopher “Christy” Mathewson was born on August 12, 1880, in Factoryville, Pennsylvania. He displayed athletic talent from an early age, excelling in multiple sports during his youth. Mathewson attended Bucknell University, where he continued to distinguish himself as a multi-sport athlete, participating in football, basketball, and baseball. It was during his college years that Mathewson began to hone his pitching skills, showcasing the control and poise that would define his MLB career.





Mathewson’s professional baseball journey began in the minor leagues, where his talent quickly caught the attention of major league scouts. In 1900, he signed with the New York Giants, embarking on a career that would cement his status as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history.

Christy Mathewson spent the entirety of his major league career with the New York Giants, becoming the face of the franchise and a symbol of pitching excellence. Over 17 seasons, Mathewson compiled a record of 373 wins and 188 losses, a .665 winning percentage that remains among the best in MLB history. His career earned run average (ERA) of 2.13 ranks as one of the lowest ever, a testament to his dominance during the Dead Ball Era.

Mathewson’s arsenal of pitches included a devastating fadeaway, now known as the screwball, which baffled hitters and became his signature pitch. His ability to mix speeds and locations, combined with pinpoint control, made him nearly unhittable. Mathewson’s strategic approach to pitching was unparalleled, earning him the nickname “The Big Six,” a reference to his reliability and strength under pressure.

Christy Mathewson’s statistical achievements are remarkable, reflecting both his consistency and dominance over nearly two decades. He won 30 or more games in a season four times, including a career-high 37 wins in 1908. His 373 career victories rank third all-time, behind only Cy Young and Walter Johnson. Mathewson’s 2,507 strikeouts were a record at the time of his retirement and remain impressive given the era in which he played, when strikeouts were less common.






One of Mathewson’s most iconic performances came in the 1905 World Series, where he delivered a masterclass in pitching. Facing the Philadelphia Athletics, Mathewson pitched three complete-game shutouts in six days, leading the Giants to their first championship. He allowed just 14 hits and no runs across 27 innings, a feat that remains one of the greatest postseason performances in baseball history.

In addition to his individual achievements, Mathewson’s contributions to team success were significant. The Giants won four National League pennants during his tenure, and Mathewson’s leadership and consistency were instrumental in their sustained competitiveness.

Christy Mathewson’s impact on baseball extended beyond his remarkable statistics. He was a pioneer in elevating the status of pitchers, demonstrating that they could be both dominant and durable. His approach to the game, characterized by intelligence, sportsmanship, and professionalism, set a standard for future generations of players.

Mathewson’s influence was also cultural. At a time when baseball was striving to establish itself as a respectable sport, Mathewson’s clean-cut image and collegiate background helped legitimize the game in the eyes of the American public. He was widely regarded as a gentleman both on and off the field, earning the respect of teammates, opponents, and fans alike.






Following his playing career, Mathewson briefly served as a manager and continued to contribute to the game in various capacities. His legacy was further cemented when he was inducted into the inaugural class of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936, alongside legends such as Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, and Honus Wagner.

Christy Mathewson’s legacy endures as a symbol of excellence and integrity in baseball. His remarkable achievements as a pitcher, highlighted by his World Series heroics and statistical dominance, have stood the test of time. Mathewson’s influence on the game’s culture, promoting values of fairness and professionalism, remains relevant to this day.

Mathewson’s story is also one of personal sacrifice. During World War I, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Chemical Warfare Service. Tragically, he was exposed to mustard gas during a training exercise, which led to health complications and ultimately his premature death in 1925 at the age of 45. His passing was mourned across the baseball world, and his contributions to the sport have been commemorated in numerous ways, including the naming of the annual Christy Mathewson Award for the best college pitcher.

Christy Mathewson’s career stands as a testament to the enduring power of talent, character, and determination. As one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history, he left an indelible mark on the game, shaping its traditions and inspiring future generations of players. His achievements on the field, coupled with his impact off it, ensure that his legacy will continue to be celebrated as long as baseball endures.

































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