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The Cleveland Guardians pulled off a trade for a former top prospect on Tuesday afternoon. They sent once-promising pitcher Cody Morris to the New York Yankees in exchange for outfielder Estevan Florial.
Let's take a look at where the Guardians' outfield stands following the trade for Florial. The current players have been broken into four different tiers to organize it a little better.
Starter
Looking at the list of outfielders on the current 40-man roster, Kwan is probably the only one locked into being in the Opening Day lineup. That could be in left field or center field depending on how the rest of the outfield shakes out.
Platoon/Bench Role
Next up are the players who could be limited to more of a platoon/bench role given their ability.
Florial could turn into a solid player with consistent playing time, Myles Straw can be used as a defensive sub, Laureano mashes left-handed pitching, and Will Brennan still has a ton of potential as a two-way player. Each player has their niche, but that doesn't automatically make them starters.
The Prospects
Sooner or later the Guardians are going to have to look to their next crop of talent currently at the Minor League level. Valera, Rodriguez, and Noel seem like the most likely candidates to get the first call-up once the time comes.
Each of these players has something the team is missing at the Big League level, power. Perhaps that could influence whether or not the front office decides to give one of them a chance.
Could Be An Outfielder If They're Hitting
- Deyvison De Los Santos
- David Fry
- Tyler Freeman
The biggest thing Cleveland needs out of their outfield is offense. This could push a player who's not a natural outfielder to a corner position if they're producing at the plate.
De Los Santos has expressed interest in playing outfield this offseason and Tyler Freeman has got some work out there as well. David Fry also played nine games in the outfield last season.
The Guardians overall have a lot of options and configurations they can test out in the outfield. However, most of these alternatives have a lot of question marks and "ifs" attached to them as well.
Florial could easily turn into a nice pickup for Cleveland. But, for right now, it doesn't solve the roster's biggest problem.
More must-reads:
- World Series-winning pitcher won't commit to playing beyond 2025
- Which MLB prospect should be next to get long-term contract extension?
- The 'Active 20-home run MLB seasons' quiz
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The Braves really should be in the market for just about every free agent available that fills a need. It is not Alex Anthopoulos’ M.O. to get into bidding wars in free agency. The largest contract he’s ever handed out to a free agent was to Marcell Ozuna, a $65 million deal that was signed just before the start of the 2021 season. That’s pennies compared to what most of the top free agents will sign for this winter, but after not spending last year and with some money coming off the books, the Braves have every reason to be very active in free agency. Adding another impact starter feels like a must, and there are plenty available this offseason, with names like Dylan Cease, Michael King, Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, Merrill Kelly, and Zac Gallen set to test the market. The Braves also need at least one high leverage reliever, if not multiple. On the offensive side of things, a DH/outfielder should be considered with Marcell Ozuna hitting free agency. But the real issues lie up the middle in the infield. Ozzie Albies is amid a career-worst season. His future in Atlanta is cloudier than it’s ever been, and the Braves really can’t go into 2026 with Nick Allen as their starting shortstop. Despite being a wizard defensively, his offense just isn’t good enough to be an everyday regular in the lineup. Given how few high level middle infielders there are on the planet, not many of them become available in free agency, and that’s the case again this offseason. There’s really only one that will test the market, Bo Bichette of the Toronto Blue Jays, who Mark Feinsand of MLB.com dubbed the fifth best player in this year’s free agent class, naming Atlanta as a potential landing spot. 5) Bo Bichette, SS, Blue Jays (age 28) After leading the AL in hits in 2021 and ’22 and making his second career All-Star team in 2023, Bichette had a nightmarish 2024, playing in only 81 games — and unproductive ones, at that. This year, Bichette has looked like his old self, once again leading the American League in hits while hitting 16 homers with 82 RBIs and an .805 OPS in 125 games. The shortstop market will be thin this winter, putting Bichette in position to score big in his first foray into free agency. Potential fits: Blue Jays, Braves, Tigers After a dreadful 2024 campaign, Bo Bichette has bounced back in a big way this season, re-establishing his value by hitting close to .300 with 16 home runs. He’ll be one of the more intriguing free agents on the market this winter, though questions about his defense at shortstop could ultimately dictate how high the bidding goes. Long-term, Bichette may profile better at second base as he ages — a scenario that could line up nicely for the Braves. He could hold down shortstop for the next couple of seasons, then slide over to second once Ozzie Albies’ contract is up after 2027. By then, the hope is that one of the Braves’ top shortstop prospects will be ready to take over. As always, it will come down to the price tag, but you can bet Alex Anthopoulos will be checking in on Bo Bichette when the market opens.
Cowboys' Micah Parsons seen taking bizarre action in preseason finale
Micah Parsons showed up for the Dallas Cowboys' preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons in body only. The star pass-rusher showed no spirit and did not dress amid his hold-in for a contract extension. On Thursday, Parsons scrubbed the Cowboys from his social media feed. During Friday's game, he couldn't be bothered to be with his teammates on the sideline watching the whole game. Per a photo posted on X by The Athletic's Jon Machota, Parsons was seen lying down on a trainer's table during the contest. Parsons' actions come amid a turbulent week between his representation and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. In separate interviews, Jones told both Michael Irvin and ESPN's Stephen A. Smith that he did not plan to back down from his agreement with Parsons to work with agent David Mulugheta. During the pregame show on Friday, Jones boasted to 105.3 The Fan that defensive end is where the Cowboys have the most depth on the roster. "Frankly, our defensive ends may be the best depth, where we have the most talent of any position on the field," Jones said via Machota. "I'm excited about our depth and our numbers at pass rusher. ... I'm concerned because of having space on the roster to keep that many of our guys that have pass rushing ability." Following Friday night's game, the Cowboys' preseason is over. The situation between Jones and Parsons is not ideal for first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who is tasked with trimming the roster to 53 players by Tuesday. If Parsons is traded or chooses not to play in Week 1, Schottenheimer is going to have to decide to take away depth from what Jones sees as a weaker part of the team to boost a unit that is without their best player because he won't negotiate with Mulugheta.
Dallas Stars lock up one of the league's best players with massive extension today in hockey history
The Dallas Stars have had many defining moments in their history, but few symbolize loyalty and leadership like Mike Modano's contract extension in the early 2000s. On August 21, 2003, the Stars officially locked up their franchise icon with an extension that cemented his role as the face of hockey in Texas. The move wasn't just about keeping a superstar forward, it was about keeping the identity of the Stars firmly tied to one of the most respected players in the game. Mike Modano's extension showed his loyalty and lasting impact on the Dallas Stars At the time, speculation lingered about whether Modano might test the waters elsewhere. Instead, he reaffirmed his commitment to Dallas, the franchise that had drafted him first overall back in 1988 when they were still the Minnesota North Stars. "This team, this city, it means everything to me. Staying here was the only choice that felt right," Modano said during the press conference announcing the deal. Those words resonated with fans, as his decision represented stability during an era when star players often left in search of bigger contracts. The extension also ensured that Modano would continue climbing the NHL record books in a Stars uniform. He went on to become the all-time American-born leader in goals and points, a record that defined his Hall of Fame career. Looking back, the August 21 signing stands as a cornerstone moment in Dallas Stars history. I think it was one of the smartest moves the franchise ever made, keeping Modano in green not only secured wins on the ice but also preserved a legacy that still inspires players today.
These college QBs are set to earn millions in 2025
Quarterback is the most important position in football, and the money given to top signal-callers — both in the NFL and at the collegiate level — supports that. On3's Pete Nakos detailed on Thursday what some of the top quarterbacks in college football will earn during the upcoming season. Nakos writes that at least five QBs will make roughly $3 million in the 2025 campaign, while more than 20 starting quarterbacks will command at least $1 million. It's important, for context, to note that these financial figures include direct revenue-sharing from schools and/or NIL deals from third-party collectives. Leading the way among 2025 quarterbacks is Duke's Darian Mensah. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound redshirt sophomore, from San Luis Obispo, Calif., will earn $4 million this year, part of a two-year, $8 million contract with the Blue Devils. Mensah transferred to Duke from Tulane, where in 2024 he threw for 2,723 yards with 22 touchdowns against just six interceptions. True freshman Bryce Underwood of Michigan is set to collect $3 million this season, which is a massive number for someone who has never taken an official snap in college. Still, the 6-foot-4, 228-pound Underwood is a significant contender to win the Wolverines' starting QB job in 2025. The native of Belleville, Mich., was the No. 1 national prospect in the 2025 recruiting class. Redshirt senior Carson Beck transferred from Georgia to Miami in the offseason, and he will make $3 million to $3.2 million this season to start, in a deal that could be worth up to $6 million with incentives, per Nakos. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Beck, who is from Jacksonville, Fla., tallied 3,485 passing yards with 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2024. According to the On3 article, Nebraska's Dylan Raiola will earn more than $3 million in total compensation during the 2025 season. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound sophomore, who hails from Buford, Ga., threw for 2,819 yards with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions as a true freshman. Last year, Raiola guided the Cornhuskers to a 7-6 record and a bowl-game triumph. Drew Allar will look to lead Penn State on another deep College Football Playoff run in 2025, and the senior quarterback will earn at least $3 million during the upcoming campaign. The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Allar, from Medina, Ohio, threw for 3,327 yards with 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions a year ago as Penn State made the CFP semifinals. The Nittany Lions are No. 2 in the preseason Associated Press top-25 poll. Other quarterbacks who are expected to make big bucks in the 2025 season include Oklahoma's John Mateer ($2.5 million to $3 million), Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia (at least $2 million), Kansas State's Avery Johnson (at least $2 million), South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers ($1.8 million), TCU's Josh Hoover ($1.75 million) and Cincinnati's Brendan Sorsby ($1.5 million to $1.7 million), among others.
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