Cleveland Sports Forum

Really ?

I see that wheeler-dealer Antonetti went dumpster diving last night and picked up a couple of pitchers nobody wanted for cash and sent them to AAA.

Goodyear Ballpark is raising its ticket prices for the 2025 Spring Training season and creating new pricing categories for home plate seating

Spring Training ticket prices increase

Goodyear Ballpark is raising its ticket prices for the 2025 Spring Training season, and creating new pricing categories for home plate seating to make its prices more competitive with other Cactus League stadiums.

City council unanimously approved the increase during its Oct. 7 meeting.

The Spring Training home of the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians, the ballpark is adding a new seating structure in the three sections behind home plate — sections 111, 112 and 113 — because of their desirability and view of the field. Ballpark staff has named the seating area, once part of the infield box section, the “home plate box section,” and the seats will be more expensive than the areas adjacent to them. They are also adding a home plate drink rail section, the premium home plate box section. These seats will be $42.

“We try to maximize revenue, but that’s a careful and delicate balance where we try to maintain that affordability for our fans,” said Bruce Kessman, Goodyear Ballpark general manager.

The prices remain well below the Cactus League average, which is about $51 for infield seating. Plus, the ballpark will charge for parking.

The newly deemed home plate box section will cost $37, compared to the previous $29 for the infield box section. The remaining sections in the infield box will raise to $33. The outfield box section will rise from $24 to $26, and the outfield reserved section will also increase by $2 to $18 for the Spring Training season. The premium field box and club box prices will each rise from $33 to $42.

“The home plate seating is the most coveted seating in any game at all because people come and they want to be up close and personal to those players, and they like being right down there in front, so thank you for doing that. Those seats should never be cheap,” said Councilmember Wally Campbell.

Goodyear Ballpark sells some seating sections in groups of four, and those prices are also increasing. The right field pavilion and party patio sections are increasing by $3 per person. The right field pavilion will be $80 total or $20 per person, and the party patio will be $72, or $18 per person. The terrace and suites also are increasing prices to $52 for the former, and $1,000, or $67 per person, for the latter.

“This new pricing structure maintains our competitive position within the Cactus League. We maintain affordability with our promotions, and we will maximize our revenue,” Kessman said.

The price increase will generate an 18% increase in gross ticket sales revenue, of which, per the team use agreement, 20% will go to the city and the remaining 80% of the ticket price will go to the Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds. This structure will result in a 27% increase in facility fee revenue for Goodyear, or an additional $1 for every ticket sold.

Goodyear Ballpark is one of 10 facilities across the Valley that hosts 15 Major League Baseball teams during Spring Training. Together, they make the Cactus League, founded in 1947 and bringing an influx of revenue into the state.

In the 2023 season, according to the Arizona State University’s L. William Seidman Research Institute’s Cactus League Economic Impact Release, the Spring Training games held in Arizona generated $710.2 million in total economic activity or gross output, and contributed $418.5 million to the state’s GDP.

Staff can adjust the prices up to $5 from 2026 to 2029 to remain competitive. The decision was also made to lower the cost of sections 106 and 118, which are near third and first base, respectively, from the more-expensive infield box section to the outfield box section.

Both the Cleveland Guardians and the Cincinnati Reds are in support of the new pricing structure.

The ballpark offers promotions throughout the Spring Training season, remaining the only location in the Cactus League to offer a children’s discount ticket price in certain sections. Goodyear residents receive a discount, and the ballpark is bringing back its senior discount. Tickets are free for active-duty military and there is a veteran discount.

Learn more about Goodyear Ballpark at goodyearbp.com

If You Go...

• The Cactus League Ballparks:

• Goodyear Ballpark: Goodyear
• Peoria Stadium: Peoria
• American Family Fields of Phoenix: Phoenix
• Camelback Ranch: Phoenix
• Salt River Fields: Scottsdale
• Scottsdale Stadium: Scottsdale
• Sloan Park: Mesa
• Hohokam Stadium: Mesa
• Tempe Diablo Stadium: Tempe
• Surprise Stadium: Surprise



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you can get in for an exhibition game for only $18 plus cheap food and drinks and parking. It's worth a trip to Arizona.

Guardians' pitchers and catchers report to Goodyear, Arizona on Tuesday. The first Cactus League game is February 22, 2025

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Spring training officially begins for the Guardians on Tuesday when pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to their training facility in Goodyear, Arizona. In reality, most of the 60-plus players who start full-squad workouts on Feb. 18 have already arrived in Goodyear.

Pitchers and catchers will practice Thursday. Position players will report on Sunday and undergo physicals on Feb. 17 before the first full-team workout the next day.

The Guardians open the Cactus League season on Feb. 22 against manager Terry Francona and the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark.

Before the 2025 Guardians get down to business, let’s take a brief look at every member of the 40-man roster just to refresh your memory.

Pitchers (22)

1. RHP Franco Aleman: Bullpen candidate who missed three months last season with a strained right lat at Triple-A Columbus. He was impressive in big league camp last spring.

2. LHP Logan Allen: He had a hard hit percentage of 46.4% last year, meaning 46.4% of the balls hit against him were done so at 95 mph or higher.




Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee.

3. RHP Tanner Bibee: Made 35 starts in his second big league season — 31 in the regular season and four in the postseason.

4. RHP Shane Bieber: This will be his seventh season in Cleveland, making him the longest tenured pitcher on the staff.

5. LHP Joey Cantillo: Struck out 16 and allowed one earned run in 12 innings in consecutive September starts last year against the White Sox and Rays.

6. RHP Slade Cecconi: He had a 5.75 ERA as a starter and a 10.13 ERA as a reliever last year for Arizona before the Guardians traded for him.

7. RHP Emmanuel Clase: All-Star closer was nearly perfect in the regular season, but far from perfect in the postseason.

8. RHP Nic Enright: He missed four months last season with a right shoulder injury. Posted a 1.06 ERA with three saves in 16 games at Columbus. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2023 after Cleveland lost him to Miami in the Rule 5 Draft.

9. RHP Daniel Espino: First-round pick in 2019 has not pitched in the last two seasons because of injuries. In the last three seasons he’s thrown 18 1/3 innings. He has currently started a throwing program.

10. RHP Hunter Gaddis: Made 78 regular season appearances last year, tied for second in AL. Averaged 14.4 pitches per outing, the fourth fewest in the league.

11. LHP Sam Hentges: Expected to miss the 2025 season after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder capsule and labrum in September.

12. LHP Tim Herrin: Righties hit .194 and lefties .143 against him last season. Overall, the opposition hit .173 against him.

13. RHP Ben Lively: He kept the rotation afloat with a 90 mph fastball and an array of breaking pitches. Went 8-3 with a 3.36 ERA in 11 starts from May 4 through July 4.

14. RHP Triston McKenzie: The Guardians optioned him to Columbus on June 30 where he spent the rest of the season.

15. LHP Doug Nikhazy: First year on the 40-man roster. He went 7-3 with a 2.87 ERA at Columbus, but struck out only 75 batters in 75 1/3 innings.

16. RHP Luis L. Ortiz: He reduced his hard-hit percentage from 49.1% in 2023 to 37.7% last year with the Pirates due in part to a new cut fastball.

17. LHP Erik Sabrowski: Rookie allowed one earned run in 18 innings — 12 2/3 in the regular season and 5 1/3 in the postseason.

18. RHP Paul Sewald: Free agent signee opened last season on the injured list for Arizona with an oblique injury. Returned in May and saved 11 straight games, but eventually lost the closer’s job. His average fastball is 91.4 mph.

19. RHP Cade Smith: Rookie season couldn’t have gone much better. He had more than twice as many strikeouts (103) than hits allowed (51).

20. RHP Trevor Stephan: Still recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow after making 137 regular season appearances in 2022 and 2023.

21. RHP Andrew Walters: He opened his rookie season last year by allowing one earned run in 8 2/3 innings. He had four more scoreless appearances in the postseason.

22. RHP Gavin Williams: In his first two big league seasons, Williams is 6-15 with a 4.04 ERA, which is probably not what the Guardians were expecting when they made him their first-round draft pick in 2021. He needs to stay healthy after starting last year on the injured list with a sore right elbow.




Guardians catcher Bo Naylor.

Catchers (2)

23. BL Bo Naylor: He’s hit 37 homers in his last two seasons, 13 at Triple-A and 24 for Cleveland. The Guardians will need more of that power in 2025.

24. BR Austin Hedges: Guardians re-signed him as a free agent for the second straight year to be Naylor’s mentor.

Infielders (8)

25. UT, BR Gabriel Arias: Candidate to win second base job. Played eight different positions last year. Offensive game is questionable.

26. 2B, SH Juan Brito: Candidate to win second base job. Hit 40 doubles with 21 homers and 88 walks last year at Columbus.

27. UT, BR David Fry: Valuable right-handed hitter who will open the season on the injured list following right elbow surgery.

28. DH-1B, BL Kyle Manzardo: He hit .207 in 30 games in his first trip to Cleveland. After being recalled on Sept. 1, he hit .270 with five homers.

29. 3B, SH Jose Ramirez: He’s averaged 108 RBI a year, while hitting .302, .311 and .303 against fastballs over the last three seasons.




Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio

30. SS, SH Brayan Rocchio: Ranked 11th among MLB shortstops in Statcast’s outs above average metric with +5. He hit .206 in the regular season and .333 in the postseason.

31. 1B, SH Carlos Santana: This is his third tour with Cleveland. Tied for sixth on franchise’s home run list with 216. Turns 39 on April 8. Needs to help replace the 31 homers and 108 RBI that belonged to departed Josh Naylor.

32. UT, BL Daniel Schneemann: Played six positions last year, including making 21 starts at shortstop. Had reverse splits as a hitter, batting .191 vs. righties and .355 vs. lefties.




Guardians outfielder Will Brennan

Outfielders (8)

33. RF, BL Will Brennan: Used almost exclusively against right-handers last season, hitting .278 with eight homers vs. righties and .143 vs. lefties. Rated a -3 in Statcast’s outs above average.

34. CF, BR Tyler Freeman: Converted infielder made 82 starts in center field last year before losing the job. He hit .209 in 118 games.

35. CF, BL Petey Halpin: Suffered a broken left wrist last season at Double-A Akron that required surgery. Before the injury he hit 12 homers in 90 games.

36. LF, BL Steven Kwan: A tale of three seasons. He went into the All-Star break hitting .352, hit .206 the rest of the regular season before hitting .381 in the postseason. Won a third straight Gold Glove and went to the All-Star Game.

37. OF, SH Angel Martinez: He played all three outfield positions last year, plus he’s a candidate for the second base job. Played mostly vs. righties, hitting .224 with three homers and eight RBI.

38. RF-1B BR Jhonkensy Noel: Big Christmas hit 13 homers in his first 45 games last year. He did not homer again until ninth inning of Game 3 of the ALCS against the Yankees on Oct. 17. Look for him to platoon in right field again.

39. OF, BR Jonathan Rodriguez: He has Noel-like power, but has played only 13 games for the Guardians. He’s hit 98 minor league homers in his career.

40. CF, BR Lane Thomas: Manager Stephen Vogt said Thomas will open the season in center field after being acquired at the deadline last year. A full season from Thomas should help the offense lost in the trades of Josh Naylor and Andres Gimenez.

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No wonder they like Brito:
At age 22, well below average age for AAA [4.3 years younger than the average AAA guy] , he hit: 40 doubles with 21 homers and 88 walks last year at Columbus.

And if he's our Number 8 or 9 prospect that says a lot about our farm system

Nice numbers. Looking forward to spring training.

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Former Pirates' right-hander Vince Velasquez is one of 24 non-roster players the Guardians have invited to spring training

What you need to know about the Guardians’ 24 spring training non-roster invitees

Updated: Feb. 11, 2025, 4:50 p.m.|Published: Feb. 11, 2025, 4:18 p.m.

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — No big league team can go to spring training without non-roster players. The Guardians are no different.

Starting Tuesday, the Guardians will bring 24 non-roster players to their training facility in Goodyear, Arizona. That number can fluctuate if the Guardians are still talking to players.

Last week they came to terms with veteran right-hander Vincent Velasquez, but couldn’t confirm the deal until he passed his physical, which happened Tuesday in Goodyear.

As of right now, the Guardians have 64 players coming to camp — 40 on the big league roster and 24 non-roster players. Some of the non-roster players are from outside the organization, but several are from Cleveland’s minor league system.

After breaking down the 40-man roster on Monday, we now turn our attention to the non-roster spring training invitees.

Pitchers (11)

1. LHP Kolby Allard: Went 2-0 with a 5.00 ERA in seven games, including four starts, last year with the Phillies. Former first-round pick of Atlanta in 2015. The opposition hit .333 against his fastball last year.

2. RHP Tanner Burns: Guardians moved their second pick in 2020 to the bullpen last year at Triple-A Columbus. Struck out 70 in 68 2/3 innings, but walked 47 batters.

3. LHP Will Dion: Guardians’ ninth-round pick in 2021 spent last year at Columbus where he went 4-4 with a 5.48 ERA in 29 games, including 21 starts. He struck out 116 in 116 2/3 innings.

4. RHP Luis Frias: Struggled last year with a right shoulder injury. When Arizona reached the World Series in 2023, Frias posted a 1.35 ERA in seven postseason games.

5. RHP Bradley Hanner: Claimed off waivers from the Twins in 2022. He went 8-4 with a 2.77 ERA and six saves in 43 games at Double-A Akron. He averaged 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings.

6. RHP Mason Hickman: Cleveland moved its fifth-round pick in 2020 to the bullpen in 2023. The 6-foot-6, 225-pound Hickman made 41 relief appearances last year at Akron and Columbus, striking out 58 in 54 innings.

7. RHP Zak Kent: Guards acquired Kent from Texas in late March. They designated him for assignment in June to make room for Matthew Boyd, who was signed as a free agent. They re-signed him in July, but he made only 15 appearances because of right elbow and oblique injuries.

8. RHP Jack Leftwich: Guards moved their seventh-round pick in 2021 to the bullpen last year at Double-Akron. He went 4-7 with a 4.28, but saved 10 games and had a 27% strikeout rate.

9. LHP Andrew Misiaszek: The Guardians drafted him in the 32nd round in 2019. He missed 2023 with Tommy John surgery on his left elbow after striking out 90 in 61 2/3 innings at Akron and Columbus in 2022. Last year he went 4-1 with a 3.80 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings for Columbus and the Arizona Complex League team.

10. LHP Parker Mushinski: Houston’s seventh-round pick in 2017 is coming to camp on a minor league deal. He’s pitched parts of three seasons with the Astros. His best pitch is an 88 mph cut fastball.

11. LHP Ryan Webb: Cleveland’s fourth-round pick in 2021, went 6-7 with a 2.80 ERA in 27 games, including 25 starts, at Akron and Columbus. He posted a 27% strikeout rate, fanning 151 batters in 141 1/3 innings.

12. RHP Vince Velasquez: Did not pitch in 2024 because of right elbow surgery. He’s pitched nine years in the big leagues and is in camp with Cleveland on a minor league deal. He’s been mostly a starter in his career.




Dom Nunez is one of four non-roster catchers invited to big-league spring training by the Guardians.

Catchers (4)

13. Jake Anchia, BR: Seattle’s seventh-round pick in 2018 has spent the last three years at Double-A Arkansas. Last year he threw out 23% (22 for 73) of the runners who tried to steal against him.

14. Kody Huff, BR: Huff came to the Guardians in November 2023 from the Rockies for Cal Quantrill. He showed a good arm at Akron, erasing 33% (33 for 66) of the runners who tried to steal against him.

15. Cooper Ingle, BL: Guardians' fourth-round pick in 2023 hit .305 (104 for 341) with 11 homers and 67 RBI at Class A Lake County and Akron. He had more walks than strikeouts, 65-56, while throwing out 26% (27 for 78) of the baserunners he faced.

16. Dom Nunez, BL: He’s caught 111 games for the Rockies in parts of three seasons. Spent last season at Columbus after signing a minor league deal. Threw out 24% (18 for 56) of the baserunners that challenged him.




Shortstop Yordys Valdes, Cleveland's second round pick in 2019, will attend big league camp as a spring training invitee

Infieldiers (7)

17. Dayan Frias, UT, SH: Signed with Cleveland out of Colombia at 17. He hit .203 with five homers and 46 RBI in 114 games at Akron last year.

18. Micah Pries, 1B, BL: His dad, Jeff, was a first-round pick of the Yankees in 1984. His grandfather, Don, played 13 years in the minors. He’s hit 22 homers over the last two season at Columbus. Spent time on the developmental list last season.

19. Milan Tolentino, UT, BL: Guardians drafted him in the fourth round out of high school in 2020. He hit .241 with 20 doubles, nine homers and 17 steals last year at Akron. His father, Jose, played 44 games for the Astros in 1991.

20. Yordys Valdes, SS, SH: Guardians' second-round pick in 2019 was born in Cuba. Bounced around the infield last year at Akron, but played mostly shortstop. He hit .231 in 109 games with nine doubles, three triples and eight homers. Stole 19 bases in 21 attempts.

21. Kahlil Watson, UT, BL: Miami’s first-round pick in 2021 came to Cleveland in the 2023 Josh Bell deal. He played six different positions last year at Akron, but spent most of his time at second base. Despite hitting just .220, he added 15 doubles, two triples, 16 homers, and 15 steals in 24 attempts, demonstrating his potential for offensive production.

22. Will Wilson, UT, BR: Guardians acquired Angels' first-round pick in 2019 off the Giants roster in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft in December. Wilson played mostly shortstop last year for Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento.




Outfielder George Valera has been invited to big-league camp by the Guardians after his 2024 season ended prematurely with a right knee injury.

Outfielders (2)

23. Chase Delauter, RF, BL: Cleveland’s first-round pick in 2022 has seen his career curtailed with foot and hamstring injuries. In spring training last year he hit .520 with the big league club, but in the ensuing regular season played only 39 games because of injuries. This is his first official big league camp.

24. George Valera, OF, BL.: Another hard-hitting outfielder who can’t stay healthy. Guardians designated him for assignment over the winter, but re-signed him. Valera is coming off right knee surgery after hitting 17 homers and driving in 50 runs in 323 at-bats for Columbus last year.


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Apr 3, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Clippers third baseman Juan Brito (24) warms up prior to the Opening Day game against the Omaha Storm Chasers at Huntington Park

Guardians Reporter Compares Cleveland Prospect To Jose Ramirez

One Cleveland Guardians reporter has massive praise for one of the organization's top prospects.

Tommy Wild | 3 Hours Ago

When the Cleveland Guardians traded away Andres Gimenez over the offseason, many fans were shocked with the move.

However, this front office has a reputation for making the right moves at the right time considering a player's age, ability, health, and value.

The Gimenez deal could fall right into that category as the Guardians have several Major League ready prospects knocking on the door.

One of those is their eighth-ranked prospect Juan Brito who could very well be the team's starting second baseman on Opening Day and has tremendous upside as a big league hitter.

Guardians on-field reporter Andre Knott recently made an appearance on ESPN Cleveland and compared Brito to Cleveland's very own superstar Jose Ramirez.

"The first comparison is, [Brito] has a little bit of Jose Ramirez in him. He's a scrapper. He's a guy you look at and you kind of go, 'eh.' Then you watch him have four or five at-bats and you go, 'Oh, I want that kid up every at-bat."

https://twitter.com/i/status/1889356510632796333

No, Knott isn't saying that Brito is going to become one of the best all-around MLB players of the decade or is destined to be a future Hall of Famer.

But Brito and Ramirez do each have similar play styles, and the 23-year-old could have a massive impact on the Guardians this season.

In fact, Knott also predicted that Brito would start the season at second base for the Guardians.

"He's going to get the first nod at second base, I believe," proclaimed Knott. "He's going to be a guy we watch throughout Spring Training from the very beginning. He's going to get an opportunity to play second base.




RubberDucks Juan Brito gets ready to swing during a game Aug. 31 against the Bowie Baysox at Canal Park in Akron

Knott has been around the Guardians, and Ramirez, for almost a decade now. He's seen plenty of players come through Cleveland on several very good teams.

Him comparing Brito to Ramirez should make fans incredibly exctied for what they could get from the young fielder this year.

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Guardians News and Notes: Farewell, Mandy Bell

News and Notes for Tuesday, February 11th, 2025

By Quincy Wheeler Feb 11, 2025, 7:35am EST 60 Comments / 60 New

MLB beat reporter for the Guardians, Mandy Bell, is moving on to youth engagement for MLB. Seems like something she will be great at. Anthony Castrovince will cover the Guardians for Spring Training while MLB finds a replacement for Bell.






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She did a pretty good job. Anyone here want to take on the job?

. RHP Bradley Hanner: Claimed off waivers from the Twins in 2022. He went 8-4 with a 2.77 ERA and six saves in 43 games at Double-A Akron. He averaged 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings.

Perhaps the only one of the list who had good looking numbers in 2024. Of course he's 26 years old and hasn't made it to AAA yet, well he have 1/3 inning for the Clippers

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first game in 9 days? They must assume everyone is in game shape when they get to camp

A bunch of these guys have been working out all winter. I'm thinking that these guys will be in really good shape. High expectation. They'll be prepared.

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