CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Ohio State fans returned to Cleveland Saturday morning after a big win against Texas Friday night.

“O – H! O – H,” the crowd coming in from Texas shouted on the Cleveland Hopkins elevators.

Ohio State beat Texas 28-14 in the Cotton Bowl.

“The Cotton Bowl exceeded expectations,” said one fan, who’s son is a second year wide receiver with the team. “Let’s hope coming Monday down in Atlanta we can do it even better.”

The Buckeyes will take on Notre Dame in the national title game on Monday, January 20.

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For a team that values baserunning and defense, letting Gimenez go is a move that seems counterproductive. His multiple Gold Glove seasons have already been mentioned, but he also stole 30 bases in each of the last two seasons.

Top 10 prospect Juan Brito seems most likely to eventually take over Gimenez’s second base position. But while he be somewhat of an upgrade on offense, he brings more average speed and defense, those two areas that the team has valued.

While Naylor didn’t help as much in either of those two areas, he certainly was a run producer, putting up an OPS+ of 118 or better in each of the last three seasons and going for 31 homers and 108 RBIs last year alone.

What Pieces are Left?

The Guardians have youngsters like Kyle Manzardo and Jhonkensy Noel who can help fill in now that Naylor is gone and also signed Carlos Santana in free agency to play the position. Still, for a team that was average on offense, that’s a lot of production to lose.

And speaking of lost production, Cleveland will be missing even more of that as late-season hero David Fry had surgery in the offseason that will cause him to miss the beginning of the 2025 season. When he does come back, it’ll be only for DH duties.

As for that below average rotation, things are set to look very similar to last year. Tanner Bibee, Ben Lively, Gavin Williams, and Triston McKenzie, who combined for a 4.06 ERA in 92 starts in 2024, all appear ready to return to the rotation in 2025.

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Cleveland, OH – Snow showers, freezing temperatures, and gusty winds are expected to persist in Northeast Ohio through today, impacting weekend travel. The National Weather Service forecasts lake-effect snow with a high near 32°F and wind chills dipping into the teens.

According to the National Weather Service, scattered snow showers will primarily affect areas along Lake Erie, including Cleveland and nearby communities, with potential for reduced visibility and slick roads on major routes like I-90, I-71, and I-77. Accumulations are expected to be light but could still create hazardous conditions for drivers. Residents are urged to reduce speeds and maintain extra distance between vehicles.

The snow is likely to taper off by Sunday morning, leaving mostly cloudy skies and a high near 33°F. Winds will shift southwest at 7 to 13 mph. Monday brings a mix of snow and freezing rain before noon, with temperatures holding steady near freezing. Light accumulation is possible, making roadways especially slippery during the morning commute.

Looking ahead, Tuesday could see another round of snow showers with breezy conditions and highs near 20°F, while Wednesday offers some reprieve with partly cloudy skies and a high near 22°F.

Stay prepared by keeping an emergency kit in your vehicle and checking local traffic updates before heading out. Snow and freezing rain could lead to sudden changes in road conditions.

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