David Fry #6 of the Cleveland Guardians
The Cleveland Guardians are already in offseason mode, and after a promising 2024 campaign, they’re looking to make the moves necessary to contend with MLB’s elite. While they came up just short of the Fall Classic, the Guardians have plenty of reasons to be optimistic. With a top-tier farm system and a core of young stars supporting the elite José Ramirez, Cleveland’s foundation is strong. But as they look ahead to 2025, the Guardians need to tweak their roster to take the next step toward a championship.
Before diving into free agency or exploring potential trades, Cleveland is focusing on their own pending free agents. According to Guardians insider Zack Meisel, there is mutual interest in reuniting with a few key names.
“Guardians stuff… *Intend to bring back the whole coaching staff unless someone gets a promotion elsewhere. *David Fry will meet with Dr. Keith Meister next week about his elbow. *Some mutual interest between club and FA Shane Bieber, Matthew Boyd, Alex Cobb, Austin Hedges,” Meisel shared on X.
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While retaining the coaching staff is important, and Fry’s health remains a storyline to watch, the buzz surrounds the potential return of several notable free agents. Among them is former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber, who could return to the Guardians after undergoing elbow surgery earlier this year. A two-year deal, similar to the one Brandon Woodruff signed, could give Bieber a chance to re-establish his value and help Cleveland’s rotation in 2025.
Veteran pitchers Matthew Boyd and Alex Cobb are also on the radar. Both were key contributors to Cleveland’s success during the first half of the season and were postseason starters. Boyd, in particular, was a standout and could be a smart addition to solidify the Guardians’ rotation for another playoff run.
Catcher Austin Hedges, a reliable backup behind the plate, is another name generating interest for a potential reunion.
If Cleveland can bring back this group of players, it would mark a solid start to the offseason, setting the stage for a potential leap into the upper echelon of MLB contenders.
