AL Central

Rocky Colavito, a nine-time MLB All-Star and Cleveland baseball legend, died at 91 on Tuesday, per MLB.com's Chris Haft.

The Guardians said in a statement that Colavito "passed peacefully at home today with family by his side in Bernville, Pennsylvania."

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Rocky Colavito.

Colavito spent 8 of his 14 Major League seasons in Cleveland and was a 9-time All-Star. From 1958-1966, Colavito averaged 35 home runs and 100+ RBI.

On June 10, 1959, he became the 8th player in MLB history to hit 4… pic.twitter.com/rhdvyD9Srm

— MLB (@MLB) December 11, 2024

"Our collective hearts ache at the passing of Rocky," said Guardians senior vice president/public affairs Bob DiBiasio. "Rocky was a generational hero, one of the most popular players in franchise history. His popularity was evident across Northeast Ohio as sandlot ballplayers everywhere imitated Rocky's on-deck circle routine of kneeling, then as he stepped into the batter's box the stretching the bat over the shoulders and pointing the bat at the pitcher. I can proudly say I was one of them. Rocky loved our organization and always held the fans in the highest esteem. He would always say, 'I am thankful God chose me to play in Cleveland.' We send our most sincere condolences to the entire Colavito family, as well as his many teammates and other organizations impacted by his passing."

Colavito signed with Cleveland in 1951 as an undrafted amateur free agent and he made his MLB debut a few years later in 1955. He spent the first five years of his career in Cleveland, having a breakout season in 1958 when he hit 41 homers and 113 RBI. The following season, he had a career-high 42 home runs and 111 RBI as he was named to his first All-Star Team.

Also in 1959, he hit four home runs in a single game, something just eight players had done before him.

He joined the Detroit Tigers in 1960 and stayed with them until 1963, picking up a pair of All-Star appearances while with the team. After a one-year stint with the Kansas City Athletics, he returned to Cleveland in 1965.

Colavito finished out his career with stints with the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. He hit 374 home runs, 1,159 RBI and had a career batting average of .266.

He was inducted into the Guardians Hall of Fame in 2006.

The Toronto Blue Jays are finalizing a trade to acquire second baseman Andrés Giménez and pitcher Nick Sandlin from the Cleveland Guardians, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported.

The Guardians will receive infielder Spencer Horwitz from the Blue Jays as part of the deal, per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

Giménez, who turned 26 in September, has won three consecutive Gold Glove Awards with the Guardians.

He has five seasons and a club option remaining on the seven-year, $106.5 million contract he signed with Cleveland in 2023.

Giménez slashed .252/.298/.340 for the Guardians and led AL position players with 20 defensive runs saved in 2024. He also stole 30 bases for the second straight season.

His campaign for a second straight Platinum Glove was capped off by a highlight-reel defensive play against the New York Yankees in the 10th inning of a Game 3 ALCS victory.

Play No. 9 of 2024: The stretch, the spin, the throw, the pick 🤯

An otherworldly sequence by Andrés Giménez and Josh Naylor in the ALCS! pic.twitter.com/j9E1xTjj6p

— MLB (@MLB) December 9, 2024

Giménez is now set to join an infield staffed by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base and Bo Bichette at shortstop.

Both Guerrero and Bichette are currently set to hit free agency after the 2025 season, so the Blue Jays will need to make further commitments in order to cement the long-term future of their infield.

Horwitz started 37 games at second base last season, but finished the season mostly at first base or as DH after top prospect Will Wagner joined the team in August. Wagner's season was ended early by a knee injury, and he will retain rookie status heading into 2024.

The Blue Jays will also add Sandlin to the bullpen after the right-hander recorded a career-low -0.1 WAR through 68 appearances and 57.2 innings pitched with the Guardians last season. He finished his four seasons in Cleveland with a career 3.27 ERA.

Toronto will hope the addition of Giménez will help the club turn things around after last season's last-place finish in the AL East and disappointing news in the Tuesday night draft lottery. The Blue Jays entered the lottery with a 7.48 percent chance at selecting the No. 1 pick for the first time in franchise history, but instead dropped to No. 8.

There's no shortage of interest in Chicago White Sox ace Garrett Crochet on the trade market, but two teams appear to be standing out.

According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, the New York Mets and New York Yankees are the "most aggressive suitors" for the pitcher, with the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox also among the suitors.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi also reported on Monday that the Milwaukee Brewers are one of the teams "still engaged" with the White Sox on Crochet.

On Sunday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com listed the Yankees and Red Sox as possible landing spots, with the Cincinnati Reds are viewed as a "real threat" to land Crochet as well.

The 25-year-old could be on the move soon, as Morosi reported on Sunday night that a trade involving the starter is "getting closer."

"Based on what I've been hearing today, the Crochet trade is getting closer. It's now increasingly possible that he'll be moved [at the Winter Meetings]." - @jonmorosi pic.twitter.com/NcSgV2D1Az

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 9, 2024

Milwaukee wrapped up an impressive first season under manager Pat Murphy in 2024, winning 93 games and securing a National League Central title. The Brewers made a postseason appearance for the sixth time in seven years.

Their season came to a rough end in the NL Wild Card Series, losing to the New York Mets in three games after holding a 2-0 lead through eight innings during the final contest of the series.

As the Brewers attempt to defend their status atop the division and go on a deeper postseason run in 2025, potentially adding Crochet would improve the top of their rotation.

He was one of the few bright spots on a dismal White Sox team last season, compiling a 3.58 ERA and 1.068 WHIP in 32 starts.

Crochet averaged an impressive 12.9 strikeouts per nine innings, allowing a mere 33 walks while striking out 209 total batters in 146.0 innings of work. He was also named an All-Star for the first time in his career after transitioning from a bullpen role.

ELEVEN strikeouts!

Garrett Crochet has matched his career high. pic.twitter.com/eRUbVKQIBu

— MLB (@MLB) June 14, 2024

He's arbitration-eligible for the next two seasons before hitting unrestricted free agency in 2027.

The opportunity for the Brewers to add Crochet to a rotation that already features Freddy Peralta, Brandon Woodruff and Tobias Myers is enticing. Meanwhile, the Mets and Yankees are trying to load up on talent after falling short of the World Series last year.

The Mets already won the bidding war for Juan Soto over the Yankees, but the team clearly isn't finished adding to the roster.

They certainly aren't the only ones vying for his services in trade discussions, though.

The trade market for Chicago White Sox ace Garrett Crochet is heating up, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

"Based on what I've been hearing today, the Crochet trade is getting closer," Morosi said on Sunday. "It's now increasingly possible that he'll be moved [at the Winter Meetings]."

"Based on what I've been hearing today, the Crochet trade is getting closer. It's now increasingly possible that he'll be moved [at the Winter Meetings]." - @jonmorosi pic.twitter.com/NcSgV2D1Az

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 9, 2024

Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com previously reported that the New York Yankees are believed to be in on Crochet and the Boston Red Sox are "just on the periphery" of trade talks. The Cincinnati Reds are also viewed as a "real threat" to land the starter.

Morosi also listed the Chicago Cubs as a "viable candidate" to acquire Crochet on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, USA Today's Bob Nightengale revealed on Nov. 25 that the Philadelphia Phillies held "extensive" negotiations with the White Sox regarding the lefty and have dangled third baseman Alec Bohm and outfield prospect Justin Crawford in discussions.

Crochet is coming off a career year with the White Sox, thriving after he transitioned from the bullpen to a starting role.

In 32 appearances, the 25-year-old finished with a 3.58 ERA and 1.068 WHIP while amassing 209 strikeouts compared to just 33 walks in 146.0 innings of work. He received his first All-Star nod for his efforts.

Garrett Crochet's final 2024 start: filthy pic.twitter.com/OQNFNCEqVA

— MLB (@MLB) September 27, 2024

If Crochet were to be acquired by the Yankees, he'd immediately form one of the best starting pitching duos in the majors alongside Gerrit Cole.

The Red Sox have been searching for help on the mound throughout the offseason, as they reportedly attempted to land Shane Bieber in free agency before he re-signed with the Cleveland Guardians. If Boston landed Crochet, he'd immediately move to the top of the team's rotation.

As the White Sox attempt to bounce back from a dismal 41-121 season and build toward the future, they should be able to receive a hefty trade package by moving their lone All-Star in 2024.

It appears as though a deal could be agreed upon soon.

Shane Bieber's time in Cleveland has somewhat surprisingly been extended.

The veteran ace re-signed with the Guardians on Friday, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. The deal is for $14 million in 2025 and includes a $16 million player option for 2026.

Guardians, RHP Shane Bieber are reportedly in agreement on a contract. pic.twitter.com/f3cOTB2ecy

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 6, 2024

According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, Bieber turned down contract offers from other teams worth more money because he wanted to return to the Guardians.

Bieber, 29, didn't have a vintage season in 2023. The 2020 Cy Young award-winner and two-time All-Star was 6-6 on the year with a 3.80 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 107 strikeouts in 128 innings (21 starts).

He made just two starts in the 2024 season before requiring Tommy John surgery, ending his campaign almost before it began.

It would not have been a major surprise had Cleveland decided to let him walk in free agency this winter. The Guardians are loaded with talented young pitchers that have both made their way to the big leagues (Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, Logan Allen, Joey Cantillo) and those expected to at some point (Daniel Espino). In the big picture, clearing the way for the next generation of starters made sense.

The Guardians also aren't prone to offering top-of-the-market contracts or extensions, leading to the departures of former stars like Francisco Lindor, Corey Kluber and Mike Clevinger. Those three were traded, and it's certainly possible that Bieber would have been as well this summer had he stayed healthy, even with the Guardians atop the AL Central.

But despite that history, Bieber is back. The Guardians will be hoping to revitalize his career and return him to the elite status he once held.

The Cleveland Guardians are willing to trade Josh Naylor and Lane Thomas, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

"But it should surprise no one that Cleveland is open to trade offers for first baseman Josh Naylor and outfielder Lane Thomas, both of whom are entering their walk years," Rosenthal wrote on Thursday. "MLB Trade Rumors projects Naylor to earn $12 million in arbitration, Thomas $8.3 million."

Thomas was a postseason hero for the Guardians in 2024, while Naylor only missed 10 regular-season games.

While both players operated in key roles for a team that won 92 games and secured a spot in the American League Championship Series, their murky long-term future in Cleveland could result in the team moving them in exchange for players with more team control.

Thomas was acquired by the Guardians in a July 29 trade with the Washington Nationals, appearing in 53 games with the team through the end of the 2024 season. He hit seven home runs and 23 RBI to go along with a .209/.267/.390 slash line, but his production improved in the postseason.

During Cleveland's five-game victory over the Detroit Tigers in the AL Division Series, Thomas hit two homers and racked up nine RBI while posting a .947 OPS.

LANE THOMAS. GRAND SLAM. @CLEGUARDIANS ON TOP.#ALDS pic.twitter.com/9bxvHY59T9

— MLB (@MLB) October 12, 2024

As for Naylor, he's coming off the first All-Star selection of his career. The 27-year-old has developed into an important piece of the Guardians' lineup and continued to improve in 2024.

His 31 home runs and 108 RBI both represented career-high marks last season, hitting .243 with a .776 OPS.

OH, BROTHER.

Bo Naylor drives in Josh Naylor for the lead with an RBI double on the 10th pitch of the at-bat! #ALCS pic.twitter.com/XbqD9Y1QmI

— MLB (@MLB) October 20, 2024

The Guardians have an important offseason in front of them and will need to decide between maintaining veteran contributors and prioritizing their future. Cleveland's choices regarding Thomas and Naylor could signify their desired path.

The Chicago White Sox are looking for a "meaningful piece," in return for center fielder Luis Robert Jr., according to The Athletic's Will Sammon, Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal.

Potential trade partners seem to be seeking "something for nothing," according to the White Sox, with one executive stating, "I don't think they understand what his value is," per Sammon, Woo, and Rosenthal.

The White Sox aren't demanding multiple prospects for Robert Jr. but feel that teams are overreaching in trade negotiations for the 27-year-old.

In June, Luis Robert Jr....
✅ Launched 11 home runs & five doubles
✅ Recorded 16 RBI
✅ Had two impressive catches
✅ Named A.L. Player of the Week for June 19-25#WhiteSox x @BMO_US pic.twitter.com/mR6ZDt4CLK

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 1, 2023

According to one rival executive, the White Sox are also "rightly asking high" in trade discussions involving left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet, per Sammon, Woo, and Rosenthal.

It was reported on Nov. 25 that the White Sox would "love to unload" Robert Jr. before they trade away Crochet, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

The team signed Robert Jr. to a six-year, $50 million contract five years ago, expecting big things from the outfielder. However, the 27-year-old has struggled to meet those expectations.

"The guy is certainly intriguing, but they've got a really high price tag on him," one anonymous general manager said, per Nightengale. "You've got to hope he finally stays healthy and can be the player everyone envisioned all along. But the White Sox are acting like he's some big star center fielder and are asking for your top prospects."

The White Sox would 'love to' trade Luis Robert Jr., per @BNightengale pic.twitter.com/5gss5FvCMZ

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) November 26, 2024

Robert Jr. has spent all five of his professional seasons with the White Sox, recording 88 career home runs, 245 RBI and a .267 batting average. He also boasts a 2023 Silver Slugger Award and a 2020 Gold Glove Award.

The White Sox finished last season with a 41-121 record, ranking last in both the American League Central Division and the entire AL.

Robert Jr. finished the season with 14 home runs, 35 RBI and a .224 batting average while leading the team with 141 strikeouts in 100 games.

Garrett Crochet is almost certain to be traded by the Chicago White Sox this winter, but the team would also "love to" move Luis Robert Jr. beforehand, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

The 27-year-old center fielder signed a six-year, $50 million contract in 2020 but has struggled to live up to the expectations set when he emerged from Ciego de Ávila, Cuba.

"The guy is certainly intriguing," one GM said, according to Nightengale. "But they've got a really high price tag on him. You've got to hope he finally stays healthy and can be the player everyone envisioned all along. But the White Sox are acting like he's some big star center fielder and are asking for your top prospects."

Robert Jr. has struggled with injuries, playing in more than 100 games in just one of his five seasons with the White Sox. The right-hander is set to earn $15 million in what could be his final season with the team.

According to Nightengale, if a team takes a chance on Robert and it pays off, they'll have the option to exercise his $20 million club option for both 2026 and 2027.

Last season with the White Sox, Robert Jr. logged 88 hits, 14 home runs and 35 RBI in 100 games.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies are engaged in trade discussions involving Garrett Crochet, with Alec Bohm and Justin Crawford as potential pieces in the deal, per Nightengale.

The Kansas City Royals are reportedly looking to upgrade their offense this offseason.

According to Anne Rogers or MLB.com, the team has "checked in" on Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward, "but nothing has progressed deeply yet."

That follows a report from C. Trent Rosecrans and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic over the weekend that Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India is "one of several hitters the Royals are targeting" this offseason, with Kansas City starting pitcher Brady Singer "drawing interest from the Reds and other teams seeking to deepen their rotations."

The Royals, behind superstar shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and a solid pitching staff—led by Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans and Michael Wacha—made a surprising run to the MLB postseason in 2024, sweeping the Baltimore Orioles in the Wild Card Round before losing to the New York Yankees in four games during the ALDS.

In the six postseason games, the Royals averaged 2.5 runs per game. During the regular season, the team ranked 20th in homers (170) and 13th in runs (735).

The future is bright, but an offensive upgrade is clearly needed.

India, 27, hit .248 with 15 homers, 58 RBI, 84 runs and 13 stolen bases in the 2024 season, posting a .750 OPS. He would address the team's need for a leadoff hitter.

Bohm, 28, was excellent for much of the past season, hitting .280 with 15 homers, 97 RBI, 62 runs, 44 doubles and a .779 OPS, earning his first All-Star Game bid. He cooled off significantly late in the regular season and during the playoffs after returning from a hand injury, however, and there have been reports that the Phillies might be interested in moving him to pursue bigger fish in free agency like Juan Soto or Alex Bregman.

The Phillies haven’t met with Juan Soto yet but they plan to. Not many teams want to win more than them.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 19, 2024

Ward, 30, would add some home-run pop to Kansas City's lineup after hitting .246 with a career-high 25 homers and 75 RBI in 2024, adding a .748 OPS. Rogers reported that the Royals were "interested in him at the most recent trade deadline."

Fresh off winning the American League Central and reaching the ALCS, the Cleveland Guardians are upgrading their uniforms for the 2025 season.

The Guardians showed off their new threads for the upcoming season, which includes a new road alternate jersey featuring the "C" logo on the left side of the chest.

Look good, play good. ✨

Introducing our newly refined uniforms for 2025.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/CUGFFHmuL4

— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) November 15, 2024

Guardians release their 2025 uniforms. pic.twitter.com/i6YRKnYgze

— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) November 15, 2024

The Guardians' old road alternates were also navy blue, but they featured the city name written across the chest.

Per the club's official release, the new jerseys are designed to inject "energy into the set while honoring the club's 124-year history."

All four jerseys feature a new piping design on the neck and sleeves. The primary white home uniform and gray road uniform will feature a red-blue-red piping color scheme.

Cleveland's alternate red home uniform will have blue-white-blue piping. The alternate road uniform has a red-white-red piping with the navy blue base.

The other significant change will be the hat worn with the home white uniforms. It will switch from navy blue as the primary color with a red bill to primarily red with a blue bill. The blue and red bill cap will still be used with all of the other jerseys.

Cleveland's home white and gray road uniforms will largely remain the same. The only major difference is the Guardians logo on the sleeve will be horizontal instead of at a slant. The Guardians will also continue to use their City Connect jersey for select games in 2025.

Next season will mark the fourth year of the Guardians' nickname. They officially made the switch on Nov. 19, 2021, after a brief legal dispute with a men's roller derby team in Cleveland that also uses the Guardians nickname.

The Guardians have won the AL Central in two of the last three years. They defeated the Detroit Tigers in five games in the ALDS this season to reach their first Championship Series since 2016.

Cleveland lost to the New York Yankees in five games in the ALCS.