Cleveland, OH

Time for the Guardians to Do What They Said They’d Do

Published

2 weeks ago

March 2, 2026

Time for the Guardians to Do What They Said They’d Do

With twenty games left in Spring Training, it’s looking like the Guardians are going to be pushed to put their money where their mouths have been when it comes to not blocking young players.

All offseason, President of Baseball Operations, Chris Antonetti, and General Manager, Mike Chernoff, have been clear about the plan to fix the Guardians’ hitting woes of 2025 without spending a dime in major league free agency in the attempt to do so:

“As we looked at a lot of the external the possibility of external additions, one of the questions we continually have to ask ourselves is, ‘whose opportunity does this impede’”? – Chris Antonetti, 1/23/2026.

“We need to get better offensively. …we believe that growth and development can come from the guys we have in the organization.“ – Antonetti, 1/30/2026

“One of our key goals was not to impede players with the most upside (from playing in Cleveland). We saw a glimpse of what Chase DeLauter could do in the playoffs. George Valera and C.J. Kayfus also showed up pretty well at the end of the season.” – Chernoff, 1/30/2026

Right now, projected to be on the Opening Day Guardians’ roster, there are two players who have over 1,000 plate appearances who are blocking younger players with less experience, eager to prove themselves as more valuable major leaguers: Nolan Jones and Gabriel Arias.

I am not writing this post to criticize the Cleveland front office for believing in Jones and Arias and for giving them their fair shot. Two years ago, I believed Arias had shown enough to get his fair chance, and last spring, I agreed with the idea of bringing Jones on board in a weak outfield group to see if he could regain his 2023 form at the plate. However, over the past two seasons Jones has now put up a 71 wRC+ in 700 plate appearances and Arias has put up a 75 wRC+ in 634 plate appearances. Jones will turn 28 years old this season and Arias just turned 26 years old; neither is likely to experience a breakout at this point in their major league careers.

In Arias’s case, replacing him involves putting Brayan Rocchio at shortstop. Rocchio is 10 and half months younger than Arias, has 100+ fewer plate appearances. He also finished 2024 with a league average 100 wRC+, while Arias finished with a 65 wRC+. There is still some slim hope remaining that Rocchio can be a league average bat – hope that no longer exists for Arias. So, the team needs to give Rocchio the reigns at shortstop and let him sink or swim, while also letting star prospect Angel Genao develop at short in Akron and, soon, Columbus. Most importantly, however, moving on from Arias with a designating for assignment, will allow the team to let Juan Brito try his hand as a full-time second baseman while the team allows Travis Bazzana to heat up at Columbus. Both Brito and Bazzana offer FAR more potential as hitters than either Arias or Rocchio and need to be featured in the Guardians’ lineup in 2026 as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Daniel Schneemann offers a perfect utility bat, capable of playing any position except catcher, and not someone who needs to be given regular plate appearances (ahem, PLEASE catch that last part, Manager Stephen Vogt). Additionally, should an injury take place with Rocchio, Milan Tolentino is having an excellent Spring Training, has an exceptional glove at shortstop, and should be capable of providing something similar to Arias’s career 76 wRC+ at the plate if called upon in a pinch. Arias is not needed on this team; while right-handed, he has a career 50 wRC+ against left-handed pitching. He also looked horrendous when asked to play outfield in the past, so he isn’t as good of an option as Schneemann in the super utility role.

As for Jones, bringing him back as an option in centerfield made sense this offseason, but spring training is making clear that keeping him as that depth is not a priority. Both Kahlil Watson and Petey Halpin have looked very good at the plate and in the field in center. It’s one week of Spring Training, so, please, don’t think I am saying either will be good major league players. However, neither has to be good to surpass average (at best!) defense in center and a 71 wRC+ at the plate provided by Jones these past two seasons. With Steven Kwan gamely taking on the challenge of center field, DFA’ing Jones allows the team to get good, solid looks at George Valera and Chase DeLauter, as well as allowing CJ Kayfus to work on his corner outfield skills in Columbus should either of the above players get hurt. If Jones were capable of hitting left-handed pitching, he’d be a roster shoo-in, but give me Stuart Fairchild and his potential for above-average centerfield play and career 106 wRC+ vs. LHP over Jones’s fielding and career 76 wRC+ against southpaws in the fourth outfielder role. Alternatively, Angel Martinez is a fine choice in this role as well, as he has a 121 wRC+ against LHP in his brief time in the bigs – whichever the Guardians prefer is cool with me.

Finally, with the Guardians’ committed to Jones for $2 million for 2026, designating him for assignment makes it likely no team will claim him. Since Jones is short of five years of major league service time, Cleveland can option him to Columbus when he likely clears waivers and mix him into all three outfield positions there, hanging on to him for needed outfield depth. In effect, they will gain an option on a player who has potential to be a league average bat against RHP and a playable fielder in center. That’s worth retaining… but not at the expense of a roster and lineup spot needed to give exciting, young players like Valera and DeLauter a real chance at establishing themselves.

If the Guardians start the season – as I expect they will – with Jones and Arias on the roster, I will be disappointed. I know, I know… it’ll probably just be for the month of April, but April games count just as much as September games. The reps that players like Brito, Bazzana, Valera and DeLauter could get in April can help them work out early struggles to be prepared for summer success. Nothing against Jones and Arias, personally, as both seem like good dudes, but we need to be clear-eyed about what is best for this team. Giving further opportunities to two players who are extremely unlikely to be above-average major league contributors would be a mistake, given the strategy that Cleveland has espoused publicly all offseason.

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Cleveland, OH

Thirty-Two Players with Ohio High School Roots Competed in the MAC Men’s Basketball Tournament

Published

1 hour ago

March 16, 2026

Press Room

Thirty-Two Players with Ohio High School Roots Competed in the MAC Men’s Basketball Tournament

CLEVELAND, OHIO- The Mid-American Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament was held this past week, as the top eight teams in the conference converged on Rocket Arena in Cleveland.

There were seven games over three days – quarterfinals on Thursday, semifinals on Friday and the championship game on Saturday – with Akron taking home the title and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with a 79-76 win over Toledo.

Former Ohio High School Stars Standout on the College Stage

Among the rostered players on the eight teams were 32 players who played their high school basketball in the state of Ohio, led by Akron with nine players and Kent State with eight.

The biggest impact was made former Shaker Heights Raider Shammah Scott, as the MAC Sixth Man of the Year and honorable mention All-MAC selection hit the game-winning 3-pointer for Akron in the championship game with just six seconds left.

Two Ohio high school players were also named to the All-MAC Tournament team – Akron’s Amani Lyles (Beechcroft) and Toledo’s Sean Craig (Northview).

This is how each player fared in the MAC Tournament.

Akron Zips

defeated Buffalo 73-70 in quarterfinals; defeated Kent State 75-68 in semifinals; defeated Toledo 79-76 in championship game.

Zach Halligan (Walsh Jesuit) – Did not score in limited action in the win over Buffalo. Did not score in limited action in the win over Kent State. Scored two points in limited action in the win over Toledo in the championship game.

Bowen Hardman (Princeton) – Scored five points in the win over Buffalo. Had nine points and four rebounds in the win over Kent State. Had 12 points in the win over Toledo in the championship game.

Cody Head (Lutheran East) – Did not play.

Josh Henderson (Westerville Central) – Did not play.

Amani Lyles (Beechcroft) – The first-team All-MAC selection recorded a double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds in the win over Buffalo in the quarterfinals. Had eight points and nine rebounds in the win over Kent State. Had 15 points and 16 rebounds in the win over Toledo in the championship game.

Eric Mahaffey (Archbishop Moeller) – The MAC All-Freshman team selection scored three points in the win over Buffalo in the quarterfinals. Had two points and three rebounds in the win over Kent State. Had eight points and five rebounds in the win over Toledo in the championship game.

Evan Mahaffey (Archbishop Moeller) – The All-MAC honorable mention selection scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the win over Buffalo in the quarterfinals. Had 16 points and seven rebounds in the win over Kent State. Had eight points and six rebounds in the win over Toledo in the championship game.

Tai Perkins (Westerville North) – Did not play.

Shammah Scott (Shaker Heights) – The MAC Sixth Man of the Year and honorable mention All-MAC selection scored 12 points in the win over Buffalo in the quarterfinals. Tied for the team-high with 18 points in the win over Kent State. Hit the game-winning shot in the championship game win over Toledo, scoring 12 points.

Bowling Green Falcons

Lost to Toledo 77-76 in quarterfinals.

Makhi Leach (Whitmer) – Scored one point in limited action in the loss to Toledo.

Mohamed Maxamud (Westerville South) – Did not play.

Sam Towns (Pickerington Central) – Had nine points and nine rebounds in the loss to Toledo.

Kent State Golden Flashes

Defeated Ohio 86-75 in quarterfinals; lost to Akron 75-68 in semifinals.

Rayvon Griffith (Taft) – Scored two points in an 86-75 win over Ohio.

Drew Huffman (Cuyahoga Falls) – Did not play.

Deandre Jones (Garfield Heights) – Did not play.

Dylan Lakatos (North Royalton) – Did not play.

Morgan Safford (Bishop Hartley) – The All-MAC honorable mention selection scored 24 points and pulled down six rebounds in the win over Ohio. Had seven points and five rebounds in the loss to Akron.

Jamal Sumlin (Rhodes) – Did not play.

Landon Vanderwarker (Delaware Hayes) – Did not play.

Quinn Woidke (St. Ignatius) – The MAC All-Freshman team selection scored three points in the win over Ohio in the quarterfinals. Scored 12 points and had seven rebounds in the loss to Akron.

Miami Redhawks

Lost to UMass 87-83 in quarterfinals.

Brady Ganley (Brecksville-Broadview Heights) – Did not play.

Trey Perry (Lakota West) – Scored five points in the loss to UMass.

Luke Skaljac (Brecksville-Broadview Heights) – The third-team All-MAC selection scored 10 points in the loss to UMass.

Antoine Woolfolk (Brush) – The All-MAC honorable mention selection was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field for 14 points and five rebounds in the loss to UMass.

Ohio Bobcats

Lost to Kent State 86-75 in quarterfinals.

Jesse Burris (Delaware Hayes) – Did not score in limited action in the loss to Kent State.

Dior Connors (Pickerington North) – Did not score in limited action in the loss to Kent State.

Jordan Fisher (Reynoldsburg) – Did not play.

Carter Reese (Westerville North) – Did not play.

Ajay Sheldon (Dublin Coffman) – Scored three points in the loss to Kent State.

Javan Simmons (Gahanna Lincoln) – Scored 22 points and had five rebounds in the loss to Kent State.

Toledo Rockets

defeated Bowling Green 77-76 in quarterfinals; defeated UMass 77-67 in semifinals; lost to Akron 79-76 in the championship game.

Sean Craig (Northview) – Scored 10 points in the win over Bowling Green. Had a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds in the win over UMass. Scored 10 points and had six rebounds in the loss to Akron in the championship game.

Troy Nwokolo (Reynoldsburg) – Did not play.

Austin Parks (St. Marys Memorial) – Had 10 points and six rebounds in the win over Bowling Green in the quarterfinals. Had seven points, four rebounds and four assists in the win over UMass. Had 13 points and seven rebounds in the loss to Akron in the championship game.

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Cleveland, OH

Cleveland International Film Festival Announces 50th Anniversary and Short Film Retrospective

Published

13 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Press Room

Cleveland International Film Festival Announces 50th Anniversary and Short Film Retrospective

CLEVELAND, OH — The Cleveland International Film Festival is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary, marking half a century of bringing world-class cinema to Northeast Ohio. Known as one of the largest Academy-qualifying festivals in the country, the event officially kicks off its main slate April 9. Ahead of the grand opening, the festival’s programming team is launching a deep dive into its own history with a special retrospective series that starts this month.

Running from Feb. 17 through April 4, the 7×7+1=CIFF50 program offers a curated look at the festival’s most impactful work. The series consists of seven distinct programs, each featuring seven award-winning short films selected from the CIFF archives. To bridge the gap between the past and the present, each screening also includes a brand-new bonus short film produced specifically for the 50th season. Tickets for these retrospective showings are currently available for $15.

The festival has evolved significantly since its inception, moving its primary operations to the downtown theater district at Playhouse Square to accommodate a growing audience that now exceeds 30,000 people annually. It is a massive logistical undertaking that relies on hundreds of local volunteers and a dedicated membership base to sustain its craft and educational missions. According to the Cleveland International Film Festival organizers, the event’s status as an Academy-qualifying festival means winners in certain categories can become eligible for Oscar consideration, which often attracts high-profile talent and global creators to the city.

Members of the festival can purchase their tickets for the April screenings immediately. For those who do not hold a membership, general public sales are set to open March 20. The organization continues to offer various membership tiers that provide early access to tickets, exclusive filmmaker events, and special screenings throughout the year.

The full schedule for the 50th anniversary season includes feature-length films, short film blocks, and interactive panels with creators from around the world. Residents interested in the 7×7 retrospective or looking to join the membership program before the March public sale can find more details and purchase tickets at www.clevelandfilm.org.
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At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.

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Cleveland, OH

Laura A. Dolsen Obituary – Mentor, OH (1951-2026)

Published

1 day ago

March 15, 2026

Press Room

Laura A. Dolsen Obituary – Mentor, OH (1951-2026)

Laura A. (Skufca) Dolsen

OBITUARY

Laura A. (Skufca) Dolsen, age 74 of Mentor, OH, passed away at Reserve Care Hospice in Cleveland, OH. She was born on July 27, 1951 in Cleveland, OH. She is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Mary Skufca.She is survived by brothers, Ronald (Caroline) Skufca, William Skufca, Thomas (Sheryl) Skufca, and her sister, Shirley (Mark) Reynolds. Beloved aunt of 6. She is survived by many other loving family members and friends.A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 23, 2026 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 9925 Johnnycake Ridge Rd., Concord Twp., OH 44060.The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday, March 23, 2026 at the church.Interment will be in All Souls Cemetery.In her memory, contributions may be made to Reserve Care, P.O. Box 72700, Cleveland, OH 44192; or online at reserve-care.org/give.Send flowers and offer condolences at www.brunners.com.

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