Cleveland, OH
Recent Guardians Trade Rumors Shouldn’t Come As A Surprise
The Cleveland Guardians have made minimal moves so far this offseason.
Yes, they’ve re-signed veteran catcher Austin Hedges and brought back Shane Bieber on a one-year deal. However, there is still work to be done to improve this roster before Opening Day.
Now, two key members of the Guardians roster, Josh Naylor and Lane Thomas, are swirling around in trade rumors, while it’s obvious Cleveland needs more major league bats in their lineup.
On Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Atheltic reported that Cleveland is “open to trade offers” on both players as they head into their last season of team control.
One team that has popped up as an interested team for this duo is the Cincinnati Reds, now led by longtime Cleveland Manager Terry Francona.
It is slightly concerning to have both of these players in rumors while there are holes on the roster.
However, looking at the language Rosenthal uses is important. Also, the recent report shouldn’t come as a shock when considering how the organization has operated in the past.
Rostenhal does not say that either player will be on the move in the coming weeks. A front office reportedly being “open” to trading a player is much different than a report noting that a team is shopping or actively looking to move a player in a deal.
Outside of Jose Ramirez, Cleveland should consider offers for just about any player on its roster at any level.
The Guardians aren’t in play for the possible $700 million deal Juan Soto could possibly get. Cleveland has never been an organization that has dished out big bucks to free agents; it builds its big-league roster through trades and drafts.
Still, they consistently win the American League Central and make the playoffs.
The Guardians do this by trading talent when it is of the most value and recouping young, controllable players for the future.
Just take past Cleveland players who were moved before hitting free agency, such as Corey Kluber, Trevor Bauer, Mike Clevinger, Fransico Lindor, and even before them, Cliff Lee and C.C. Sabathia.
Naylor and Thomas each have one year of team control left before they hit the open market and are both coming off career-best seasons. Of course the Guardians may listen to trade offers for them.
None of this is to say that either of these players will be traded this offseason or that it’s the right move for the organization. However, this is a familiar pattern from the organization, so these rumors shouldn’t come as a surprise.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Heinen’s Grocery Store announced on Friday that it will be closing its downtown Cleveland location on the corner of East 9th Street and Euclid Avenue.
This last day will be on July 31.
The store first opened in 2015.
All associates at the downtown store will be offered roles at other Heinen’s locations, and there will be no layoffs, the release said. This decision affects only the Downtown Cleveland location.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb shared the following statement after the announcement was released:
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
The Cleveland Cavaliers added another guard to their logjam at the position during the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday night.
Arkansas guard Maleek Thomas was one of the best players remaining on the board when the Cavaliers were on the clock at No. 34 overall, which they acquired from the Sacramento Kings in a trade back out of No. 29 overall on Tuesday night’s Round 1.
So Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman took Thomas off of the board, opting to select the best player available instead of drafting for fit, as Cleveland still has a dire need on the wing and backup center.
“When you’re picking at No. 34, you don’t have the luxury to say ‘let’s pick for fit,’” Altman said after the selection on Wednesday night.
It’s clear that the longtime basketball executive understands that Thomas doesn’t necessarily fit this current version of the Cavaliers. They’re expecting veteran point guard James Harden to return on a new contract. They also still employ Dennis Schroder, Tyrese Proctor and Craig Porter Jr., who just saw his contract option exercised by the Cavaliers.
Altman admitted that with so many guards to account for on the roster, the hard part will be figuring out how it all fits together.
Who is the odd man out?
It’s very possible that the reason why the Cavaliers traded out of No. 29 overall was due to financial reasons.
At No. 29, the Cavaliers really liked Thomas, and he probably would’ve been their selection. Even though he’s another small guard, he loves the game of basketball and comes from head coach John Calipari, which is as close to NBA coaching that you’ll find in the NBA.
But in Round 2, the Cavs could give Thomas a non-guaranteed two-way deal that would have the 19-year-old point guard split time between the Cavaliers and Cleveland’s G League affiliate Charge.
This makes life uncomfortable for Porter Jr., even though his option was just exercised. He’s on the final year of a deal, and could be included in a trade package as a sweetener. Of course, none of Cleveland’s guards aside from Harden should be untouchable in big trade packages that could help solve the team’s holes on the wing and in the frontcourt.
Schroder could be dealt as well because of his big salary.
Even though he doesn’t seamlessly fit, the Cavaliers found a way to get a first-round talent in Day 2 of the NBA Draft. It was a talented class and Thomas could be a gem.
But Altman needs to find a way to better construct this roster before the season comes around.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The man wanted for the 2024 murder of a Northeast Ohio rapper in Cleveland, was arrested Thursday by members of the U.S. Marshals led Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force.
The U.S. Marshals said Steven Smith, 27, was taken into custody at a home in the 15900 block of Invermere Ave. in Cleveland.
Smith is accused of fatally shooting Carlos Banks, 28, on Dec. 29. 2024 inside an apartment at 5115 The Rising.
This is in the city’s Slavic Village neighborhood.
Cleveland EMS pronounced Banks dead at the scene.
Also known by stage name KashBankx, the 28-year-old had amassed thousands of social media followers with his rap career.
19 News previously spoke with community journalist Jaylyn King who says he’s interviewed Banks multiple times about his music career.
“Normally Cleveland has a set sound that’s really repetitive,’ said King. “He (Banks) was one that stood out and was very different than other artists”.
“This is big because he touched and influenced so many people,” said King “Even outside of music”.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
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