News and Notes for Friday, July 18th, 2025
Our long, national nightmare is over. Guardians baseball returns tonight as the Guardians welcome the Sacramento Athletics to Progressive Field for a three-game weekend series.
Today, apparently, we will get news about Luis Ortiz.
MLB is expected to hand down a decision Friday on the gambling allegations facing Guardians’ right-hander Luis Ortiz. https://t.co/RUW5OZ8sdQ
— clevelanddotcom (@clevelanddotcom) July 18, 2025
Rumors from Twitter are that he will get a longterm suspension or ban. If either is true, I would bet (pun intended) we do not see him pitch in a Guardians’ uniform again. Unless MLB comes out and says he is entirely clear, I can’t quite imagine his teammates wanting to suit up with him when they can’t be completely sure he shares their interest in actually winning baseball games. Such a sad situation.
Tim Stebbins has an article about Jace Laviolette, the Guardians first round pick from earlier this week.
Guardians’ sideline reporter Andre Knott says Cleveland doesn’t plan to move Emmanuel Clase or Cade Smith.
“I’ve been told they’re not going to move either of the back two guys in the bullpen,” – @DreKnott on the Guardians trade deadline plans for Clase and Smith.
Dre notes that things can change, but that’s what he’s heard.
FULL EPISODE: https://t.co/UNUSEE2Bep https://t.co/IBhVxJ80GP pic.twitter.com/FOaeWXR5dO
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) July 17, 2025
I am sure they don’t plan on moving either. Someone will have to offer a significant overpay for them to change their mind.
Meanwhile, local sports radio guys are ready to ride Paul Dolan out of town on a rail if he doesn’t extend Kwan:
⚾”I think it’s unforgivable of Paul Dolan if he did something like that.”@KenCarman to @SportsBoyTony on the #Guardians trading or not extending Steven Kwan.
: https://t.co/TaCGvcbfIA pic.twitter.com/eS4PHBXFVU
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) July 17, 2025
I am definitely on-board with extending Kwan. Somehow, I kind of doubt he and his agent feel the same way the Guardians do about his play as an awkward fit offensively in left, as a frequently injured player with a slight frame, and a player who has first percentile bat speed. While I’d really like to see Cleveland get a deal done, I don’t think it makes sense to castigate anyone if it doesn’t – either Kwan or Cleveland’s brass. I suspect we see Kwan traded this offseason, myself. I’ll enjoy his time here thoroughly, as Paul Dolan once memorably advised us peasant fans.
But, hey, baseball is back. Time to see if Chase DeLauter’s wrist is ok, if Travis Bazzana and Shane Bieber make a trip back to Akron, if Kyle Manzardo will finally get everyday starts now that the All-Star break is over, if Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams can find some consistency, and if Jose Ramirez can put up another 30-30 season and six fWAR or more. And, hey, if the Guardians make a miraculous run and make the playoffs, even better.