With days before 2025 MLB Opening Day, the Guardians and Rockies have made another trade with one another. Cleveland’s previously traded Nolan Jones and Cal Quantrill to Colorado — and now Jones is going back to Ohio. The 26-year-old Jones was traded to the Guardians, in exchange for infielder/outfielder Tyler Freeman.
The Guardians’ Return
- 1B/OF Nolan Jones (.227/.321/.320, 3 HR & 17 XBH in 79 G)
Cleveland drafted Nolan Jones almost a decade ago, in the second round of the 2016 MLB Draft. That draft was more well-known for Cleveland’s third (Aaron Civale) and fourth-round (Shane Bieber) picks. But, Jones looked to turn the tide in 2023.
Jones was shipped out to Colorado for infielder Juan Brito — who hit 21 home runs last season in Triple-A last year — in November 2022. The move gave Jones, a supremely athletic corner infielder with power a chance to get regular playing time, as he was blocked both at third base and the corner outfield spots in Cleveland.
With Colorado, Jones belted 20 home runs over 106 contests in 2023, plus added in 20 stolen bases. He was one of 19 players to record a 20-20 campaign in 2023. However, the 2024 campaign was a completely different one for Jones.
The 26-year-old played just 79 games last season, thanks to back problems that caused him to spend multiple months on the IL. That would be a plausible explanation for the dip in bat speed from 72.4 MPH — above the league average — to 70.7 MPH.
The combination of short swing and bat speed makes for an interesting power hitter — but also one vulnerable to being too out on front on pitches. That wasn’t necessarily the problem with Jones last season. Rather, a lot of topped contact (52.1% GB%) last season, rolling over on far too many offerings. Which, led to a major reduction in barrels.
Another problem for Jones was the called strikes. Jones took 291 called strikes (.98 CS/G) in 2024, compared to .85 in 2023.
Jones has four more years of team control.
The Rockies’ Return
- INF/OF Tyler Freeman (.209/.305/.321, 7 HR & 22 XBH in 118 G)
Freeman, like Jones, was a second-round pick by the Guardians. The 25-year-old Freeman was taken with the 71st pick of the 2017 MLB Draft.
A right-handed hitting infielder, Freeman spent parts of three seasons and showcased athleticism and versatility with Cleveland. Freeman played everywhere on the field for Cleveland sans catcher and right field. However, he spent most of his time either in a middle infield spot or center field.
Freeman recorded career-highs in plate appearances (383), home runs (7), and stolen bases (11) last year.
The new Rockie is a very different hitter compared to Jones. While Freeman on paper has a longer swing, slightly pull-heavy, and also had more bat speed than Jones, the 25-year-old Rockie gets going fast. He’ll make consistent contact but isn’t a power hitter by any stretch of the imagination.
Freeman possesses above-average speed and arm strength, making him someone who can easily slot in either middle infield spot.
Tyler Freeman also has four years of team control.
Analysis
Both Jones and Freeman are out of options, meaning both the Guardians and Rockies will have to find spots for their new players on their respective Opening Day rosters.
The Rockies can make easy use of Freeman right away. Colorado signed INF Thairo Estrada to slide in at second base. However, a wrist fracture will keep Estrada out for four to eight weeks, leaving Freeman in an opportune spot to get playing time.
As for Jones, his role may very well be as a platoon man.
Right now, the Guardians have exactly 13 players on their roster, one of those being Jones. While he can play first, Cleveland has Kyle Manzardo and Carlos Santana. That would leave Jones, an athlete with good speed and an arm for an outfield, as someone who can platoon with Jhonkensy Noel. Noel posted a .667 SLG & .969 OPS against lefties last season but a .402 SLG & .686 OPS against righties.
In other Guardians-related news, former Cleveland starter Carlos Carrasco landed a spot on the Yankees’ Opening Day roster.