Big Christmas’ time in Cleveland may be coming to an end. The Guardians designated slugging outfielder Jhonkensy Noel for assignment on December 17, one of many moves made on the day. Additionally, the Mets re-shuffled their 40-man roster, while the Orioles brought back Albert Suarez.
Noel designated for assignment
The Guardians designated outfielder Jhonkensy Noel for assignment on December 17. It was a corresponding move made to add Justin Bruihl to the Guardians’ roster. Cleveland acquired Bruihl in a cash trade with Toronto after the Blue Jays DFA’d the lefty.
Noel caught lightning in a bottle in 2024 when the Guardians promoted him to the Majors. The right-hander slugger hit 13 home runs during the 2024 regular season, and one massive one in Game 3 of the ALCS to tie the game in the ninth inning.
Swings and misses have been a big problem for Noel, even in the Minors. Just this past season in Triple-A, Noel posted a 31.5% Whiff%. Noel posted a 34.7% Whiff% in the Majors this season. He slashed .162/.183/.297 with the Guardians.
Slew of Minor League signings
The first half of this week saw a lot of Minor League signings. Aside from the three we covered on December 17, here’s a look at others that went down:
- Gavin Collyer (Rangers)
- Logan Davidson (Rays)
- Oliver Dunn (White Sox)
- Nick Frasso (Dodgers)
- Sean Guenther (Tigers)
- Bradley Hanner (Yankees)
- Blake Hunt (Padres)
- Joel Kuhnel (Athletics)
- Jack Little (Tigers)
- Kevin Newman (Royals)
- Zach Peek (Mets)
- Aaron Schunk (Braves)
- Cole Waites (Tigers)
- Joseph Yabbour (White Sox)
There are some notable names in this bunch.
Kevin Newman, a longtime journeyman infielder, signed with the Royals. Newman slashed .202/.209/.272 with the Angels over 57 games last season before he was DFA’d.
Oliver Dunn, a 28-year-old infielder who spent parts of two MLB seasons with the Brewers, is now with the White Sox. Dunn broke out in Double-A two years ago, as he hit 21 home runs and was acquired in a trade with the Phillies. However, he slashed .206/.261/.290 with the Brewers.
Joel Kuhnel pitched parts of five seasons in the Majors, split between the Reds, Astros, and Rays.
Blake Hunt, meanwhile, rejoined the organization he was originally drafted by in 2027. Hunt was one of several players traded by the Padres to Tampa Bay in the Blake Snell trade five years ago.
Suarez re-signs with Orioles
The Orioles, meanwhile, signed two players to Minor League contracts on the 17th: minor league catcher Willy Vasquez and pitcher Albert Suarez. Suarez was previously non-tendered by the O’s in November.
Suarez, an innings-eater for the Orioles in 2024, missed most of 2025 recovering from a rotator cuff strain. The 36-year-old struck out 10 over 11.2 IP for Baltimore this past season.
Additionally, Baltimore assigned catcher Maverick Handley to Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles previously designated him for assignment.
Other moves
St. Louis DFA’d outfielder Matt Koperniak.
The Yankees released pitcher Allan Winans.
The Mets, meanwhile, designated left-hander Brandon Waddell for assignment. Catcher Drew Romo, previously claimed off waivers by the Orioles before Baltimore DFA’d him, was claimed off waivers by the Mets.
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