Cleveland, OH
Three Burning Questions For The Guardians Ahead Of Winter Meetings
Multiple teams across MLB have already made some major moves this offseason. However, as the Winter Meetings begin in Dallas, Texas, this week, more action could ramp up.
Here are three burning questions for the Cleveland Guardians as the Winter Meetings begin.
The Guardians have obvious holes they must fill ahead of the 2025 season. The most pressing is adding another big league-proven bat in the lineup and another arm to their rotation.
However, Cleveland has been in the news for the opposite reason. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Guardians are “open to trade offers” for both Josh Naylor and Lane Thomas this offseason.
To be clear, an organization being “open” to a trade is much different from a team actively shopping or looking to move a player.
That being said, will fans see Naylor, Thoma,s or another one of Cleveland’s big names on the move sometime over the next week?
If the Guardians do pull off a trade, will it immediately improve their major league roster?
Cleveland finally did something they’ve been reluctant to do in the past few offseasons: It finally spent some money on a free agent by re-signing Shane Bieber to a one-year deal with a player option on a second.
While it’s fantastic to have Bieber back and see the Guardians spend some money to retain their players, they can’t stop there with improving their roster.
There are still plenty of starting pitchers on the market, such as Nathan Eovaldi, Andrew Heaney, Nick Pivetta, and Kyle Gibson, to name a few. They’re also reportedly interested in re-signing veteran pitcher Alex Cobb.
The outfield market also has viable options like Joc Pederson, Michael Conforto, and Jesse Winker who could improve the roster.
Will the Guardians strike a deal with any more free agents on the market?
/ Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
MLB’s Rule 5 draft is one of the sport’s most unique features.
Last year, the Guardians took a flier on at the time Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Deyvison De Los Santos, who the Guardians believe could provide some much-needed pop to the lineup.
He never panned out and was returned to the D-Backs, but it does show the organization could be open to the idea if there’s a player they like.
Will Cleveland strike again and make a selection?
On the other hand, will any other team steal away any prospects from the Guardians? Cleveland has plenty of insuring prospects who are eligible to be selected.
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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