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Cleveland Guardians Still Have Pieces To Make A Blockbuster Move

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Cleveland Guardians Still Have Pieces To Make A Blockbuster Move


Spring Training is rapidly approaching, and the Cleveland Guardians still have some questions about some key positions.

They were three wins away from reaching the World Series last year and should be looking to make a win-now move, but the roster still has holes to fill.

Thankfully, the Guardians have plenty of pieces throughout the organization they could use to make a blockbuster move. Let’s break them down.

Let’s start with this: Even after being active this offseason, the Guardians have roster areas on the roster that could be upgraded.

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Another proven veteran arm could strengthen the starting rotation, and the Guardians desperately need another outfielder to boost their offense.

The Guardians have made plenty of money-conscious moves this offseason.

This started with trading Andres Gimenez and the roughly $90 million left from his contract. They also moved on from Josh Naylor and Myles Straw, which opened up more flexibility for future moves.

Even after Paul Sewald’s one-year, $7 million contract, FanGraphs estimates the Guardians’ 2025 payroll will be $96 million. This is a $8 million decrease from last season, when the team reached the ALCS.

Cleveland certainly has the payroll room to add another free agent or make a trade for a player with a larger contract.

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Stephen Vogt, right, talks to the media as president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti looks on

Nov 10, 2023; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, right, talks to the media as president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti looks on during an introductory press conference at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
/ Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Cleveland has never been known to be a big player in the free-agent market. The vast majority of their future stars come via trade.

What teams typically value the most in blockbuster deals is prospect return. Thankfully, the Guardians are regarded as having one of the best farm systems in baseball and several elite prospects.

MLB Pipeline recently released their top 100 prospects for 2025, and the Guardians had four of their Minor Leaguers appear on this list.

Outside of Travis Bazzana and possibly Jaison Chourio, the Guardians should feel comfortable parting ways with any of their prospects if it’s a deal that makes their Major League roster better right now.

If there’s one area the Guardians have plenty of depth at, it’s their elite bullpen. That reliever core only got stronger with their recent free-agent signing of Paul Sewald.

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Cleveland could trade away one of their relievers in a package for an impact bat and still have one of the best bullpens in baseball.



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Cleveland, OH

Cleveland plant store confused for marijuana dispensary

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Cleveland plant store confused for marijuana dispensary


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A plant store in Cleveland’s Ohio City is often confused for a dispensary due to a name picked out long before recreational marijuana was legalized.

The name: Recreational Pots and Plants.

“I have people coming into the store, and you know what they’re looking for, they come in, take a quick look around, they spin around and they leave,” said owner Lori Switaj. “We thought it was funny; we didn’t think it was going to become legal anytime soon.”

The store opened in 2020, but now with the change of legislation, several people each week call or walk into the store, looking for a different type of flower.

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But there are no plans to pivot the business.

That’s because her co-owner and husband, Timothy McCormick, is a Cleveland Judge.

“You pass the licensing requirements, and there is nothing to prohibit me, but I’m sure the Ohio Supreme Court would frown on it,” said McCormick.

He says while it would be allowed, he does not believe anyone with the job of upholding the law should own a shop selling substances.

He describes it as a bad look and a dangerous potential for a “slippery slope.”

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It’s just like owning a liquor store; take it back 15 years, you just don’t want to be in that position, cross that line wherever regulations say not to go, you have people working for you, and you aren’t paying close attention, things could happen,” said McCormick.

So, while you can get a great house plant at Recreational Pots and Plants, anyone looking for something stronger will have to go elsewhere.

“To all of the people watching this: All of our foliage in here is house plants only; you can’t smoke it.”



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Cleveland, OH

East Cleveland Mayor King suspended, what happens now?

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East Cleveland Mayor King suspended, what happens now?


EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Several East Cleveland city council members held news conferences Wednesday after East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King was suspended Tuesday by a special commission of three retired judges appointed by the Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court.

The three retired judges voted 2-1 on King’s suspension.

“Mr. King’s conduct as covered by the charges, adversely affects the functioning of the office or adversely affects the rights and interests of the public, and as a result, Mr. King should be suspended from office,” court documents said.

On Wednesday evening, Councilmembers Twon Billings and Patricia Blochowiak called for an emergency council meeting to demand King return his city vehicle and building keys and remove his name from city bank accounts and websites.

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Not enough council members were present to move forward with it.

In October 2024, King was indicted on:

  • Two counts of theft in office
  • Four counts of having unlawful interest in a public contract
  • Four counts of representation by public official or employee
  • Filing a false disclosure statement
  • Soliciting improper compensation

King had a pre-trial in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Tuesday and he is scheduled to return to court on April 2.

According to a statement from East Cleveland, the next in line to be mayor is City Council President Lateek Shabazz.

Shabazz held a news conference at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.

“I want you to know that East Cleveland is still safe. There is nothing going wrong just because this Mayor has been indicted and removed,” says Shabazz.

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By law, Judge Anthony Russo, the Presiding Judge of Cuyahoga County Probate Court, is in charge of appointing the interim mayor.

“The public should be running this City. Not no politicians who are keeping everything a secret,” says Shabazz.

Judge Russo is currently accepting applications by mail or e-mail.

You can mail your statement of interest, a resume, and three references to:

Presiding Judge Anthony J. Russo, Cuyahoga County Probate Court, Room 221, 1 Lakeside Avenue West, Cleveland OH 44113.

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You can also email the information to Sue Schwarten, Administrative Assistant to Presiding Judge Anthony J. Russo, at sschwarten@cuyahogacounty.gov

“It speaks volumes about the corruption of the City of East Cleveland that the court has to put together an application process of anyone who wants to be the Mayor of the City,” says Twon Billings, Former City Council President

At 1 p.m., East Cleveland Councilman at Large Twon Billings will held a news conference, demanding King immediately return all city property in his possession, including, city vehicles, keys, and key fobs.

“This would be a great opportunity for East Cleveland residents, but East Cleveland residents have to learn how to start voting,” says Billings.

Council members also want to deny King access to all city buildings, businesses, and properties.

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Cleveland, OH

Major changes to Ohio’s weed laws could be coming and smokers won’t be happy

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Major changes to Ohio’s weed laws could be coming and smokers won’t be happy


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) -Ohio State Senator Stephen Huffman (R) just introduced major changes to Ohio’s recreational and medical weed program, including limiting the number of plants that can be grown at home.

Introduced as Senate Bill (SB) 56, the major changes include reducing the number of home grow plants from 12 to 6 allowed.

SB 56 also looks to increase the tax on recreational weed from 10% to 15% and instead of those funds being divided up to several different areas, all of the funds would go into the state’s general fund.

The potency of THC in oils and vape produces is proposed to be decreased from 90% to 70%.

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There is no proposed change for the 35% THC potency in plant material.

Another change, all adult use weed must now be stored in the trunk of all vehicles.

The current law states it can be in the main compartment, but must be sealed with the original label.

These changes have just been introduced to the Ohio Senate by Huffman and are no where near the voting process.

Cleveland 19 will track this legislation throughout the process.

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