The Cleveland Guardians designated Jhonkensy Noel for assignment Wednesday after acquiring left-handed reliever Justin Bruihl from the Toronto Blue Jays.
It’s a move that closes the book on one of Cleveland’s most memorable postseason moments from 2024. Noel delivered a clutch game-tying home run against the Yankees that’ll live in franchise lore, but that October magic wasn’t enough to secure his roster spot.
The numbers tell the story. Noel posted a .198 career average across 327 at-bats over two seasons with Cleveland. His best year came as a rookie in 2024, when he hit .218 with 13 home runs in 179 at-bats. That translates to a -0.4 WAR for his brief major league tenure.
What makes this particularly notable is the pattern here. Francisco Lindor’s grand slam against the Yankees, Oscar Gonzalez’s walk-off homer against Tampa Bay, and now Noel’s clutch blast against New York – all franchise postseason highlights, and all three players are now gone from the organization.
The Guardians have seven days to work out a trade for Noel before he’s either sent to the minors or placed on waivers. Given that career batting average below .200, it’s hard to see another team offering everyday playing time.
That’s where the Bruihl acquisition comes in. Cleveland needed bullpen depth and wasn’t willing to keep a struggling hitter on the 40-man roster just for sentimental value. It’s the kind of move that separates front office decision-making from fan emotion.
Noel’s power was never in question – those 13 home runs showed legitimate pop. But the contact issues proved too much to overlook, and Cleveland’s loaded with young talent that needs development opportunities.
The way I see it, this move signals Cleveland’s confidence in their organizational depth. They’re prioritizing pitching help over keeping a player whose main contribution was one unforgettable swing.
