Outfielder Nolan Jones is returning to Cleveland.
The Guardians reacquired Jones from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for infielder Tyler Freeman. The team has confirmed the deal.
Jones, 26, is out of minor league options, meaning he’ll be on the Guardians’ Opening Day roster.
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Jones was a second-round pick by Cleveland in 2016. After making his major-league debut in 2022, he was dealt to the Rockies for infielder Juan Brito. The Guardians have now reacquired him, effectively making it so they traded Freeman for Brito. He’s under club control through the 2028 season.
The Diamondbacks’ Eugenio Suárez (28) applies a late tag as the Rockies’ Nolan Jones (22) celebrates a two-run triple during a game at Chase Field.
Nolan Jones traded for Tyler Freeman; Guardians, Rockies complete deal
Freeman was vying for at-bats at second base and possibly center field this spring. The Guardians will be able to split time at second base between Gabriel Arias and Daniel Schneemann, who has had a productive spring. Freeman has looked better this spring but overall has struggled to put together much success at the major league level, posting a .632 OPS over three seasons in the big leagues.
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Jones had a tremendous season in 2023, when he hit 20 home runs, stole 20 bases, posted a .931 OPS and accrued 4.3 bWAR in only 106 games. But last year he battled injuries and played in only 79 games while seeing his OPS fall to .641.
Earlier on Saturday, the Guardians locked up starting pitcher Tanner Bibee on a five-year contract extension.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Nolan Jones traded to Cleveland Guardians for Tyler Freeman