Guardians waive Myles Straw, former Gold Glove winner ...
Tyler Freeman, a converted infielder, could serve as Cleveland's starting center fielder
www.cbssports.comHere’s a concise update on Myles Straw, based on the latest reporting I can access.
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In 2024, Myles Straw was placed on waivers by the Cleveland Guardians with a substantial contract obligation remaining, signaling a shift in role if he stayed with Cleveland. The situation suggested he might clear waivers and move to a minor league assignment, barring a trade or redesign of his deal. These developments highlighted the Guardians’ emphasis on improved offense from center field while retaining strong defense.[1]
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In 2025 and 2026, there were various mentions of Straw in relation to other teams and spring training context, including discussions about his fit in outfield roles and potential platoon uses, though not all reports centered on a definitive team change at that time. For example, CBS Sports summarized ongoing considerations around Straw in the Guardians organization and potential internal alternatives in center field, while NBC Sports and other outlets tracked related roster and injury dynamics that could influence Straw’s status.[2][4][1]
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By March 2026, there were reports noting Straw’s involvement with the Toronto Blue Jays, including a camp-break and roster decisions that positioned him for a role on Opening Day, with potential platoon and defensive-use scenarios in center field depending on how the roster and injuries/shifts unfold. The context suggests Straw remained viewed as a versatile defensive asset who could contribute in various capacities, including base-running and late-inning defense.[4]
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Historic performance notes: Straw established himself as a Gold Glove center fielder in 2022, and his defensive metrics have been strong relative to peers, even as offensive numbers fluctuated in subsequent seasons. This mix of elite defense with variable offense has been central to how teams evaluated him in subsequent years.[3][9][1]
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Additional background: Straw entered Cleveland as a productive contributor late in 2021 and signed a multi-year extension in 2022, reflecting the organization’s belief in his tools, especially his speed and defense, though offensive consistency was repeatedly highlighted as an area for improvement.[9][3]
If you’d like, I can narrow this to a specific team (e.g., Guardians vs Blue Jays) or pull the most recent updates from a single source to ensure you have the latest headline and context. I can also summarize his current contract status and probable role on the team you care about.
Citations:
- Guardians waivers and contract context[1]
- 2025-2026 roster/organization discussions and odds in center field[2]
- Blue Jays camp and Opening Day considerations[4]
- Gold Glove defense and career trajectory[3][9]
- Additional performance context and historical notes[9]