The Guardians kept their longtime ace but traded their everyday first baseman ahead of his final season of club control. Their offseason featured a blend Chris Boucher Jersey of creative trades to trim payroll and acquire controllable talent, plus some short-term spending on veterans to replace some of the big leaguers they traded away. It was a vintage Cleveland offseason that should keep them in the mix in what'll be a tightly contested AL Central. Major League Signings , RHP: Two years, $26MM (opt-out after 2025 season) , 1B: One year, $12MM , RHP: One year, $7MM (includes buyout on 2026 mutual option) , RHP: One year, $4.5MM , C: One year, $4MM , LHP: One year, $1MM (club has $6MM option for 2026, no buyout) 2025 spending: $37.5MM Total spending: $54.5MM Option Decisions None Trades and Waiver Claims Acquired RHP and Competitive Balance Draft Pick (Round B) from D-backs in exchange for 1B Acquired 1B and OF from Blue Jays in exchange for 2B and RHP Acquired RHP , LHP and LHP from Pirates in exchange for 1B Traded RHP to Cubs in exchange for OF Traded RHP to Pirates in exchange for cash Traded OF to Blue Jays in exchange for PTBNL Notable Minor League Signings , , , (re-signed), , , Extensions None Notable Lo ses , , , , , , , , (non-tendered), (outrighted, elected free agency) The Guardians entered the 2024-25 offseason looking to bolster a roster that made an unexpected run to the American League Championship Series. Cleveland faced decisions on some players with dwindling club control and, as is always the case, some notable payroll limitations. In a departure from most offseasons, however, the Guards found themselves in an unfamiliar position: needing to acquire starting pitching. Cleveland has emerged as one of the industry leaders in maximizing its rotation output. At times, it feels as though they have an almost magical ability to produce quality starting pitchers out of thin air. In fact, when the Guardians signed righty to a one-year, $800K deal in the 2023-24 offseason, it was the first time they'd signed any free agent starter to a major league contract since inking back in 2014. Midway through the 2024 season, they did so again, signing to a major league contract. Both moves worked out splendidly. Boyd started eight games down the stretch and produced a sub-3.00 ERA. Lively finished second on the club with 151 innings and notched a 3.81 ERA and stuck with the club as an arbitration-eligible player. He'll be back in the 2025 rotation. Boyd, however, hit free agency and did so alongside former Cy Young winner and trade deadline acquisition . Unlock Subscriber-Exclusive Articles Like This One With a Trade Rumors Front Office Subscription BENEFITS Acce s weekly subscriber-only articles by Tim Dierkes, Steve Adams, and Anthony Franco. Join exclusive weekly live chats with Anthony. Remove ads and support our writers. Acce s GM-caliber tools like our MLB Contract Tracker Charles Oakley Jersey
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