Guardians Bid Farewell To Struggling Player Who Was Released

The Ramon Laureano experiment didn’t end well for the Cleveland Guardians.

Claimed off waivers last year from the Oakland Athletics, he was actually serviceable in 41 games in 2023 for the Guards, hitting .243/.342/.382.

But Laureano was off to a miserable start this year and the team, with several viable alternatives in the outfield, had no choice but to designate him for assignment.

That happened on May 20.

Six days later, on Sunday, Laureano was released.

Now, the outfielder will play for the Atlanta Braves, who signed him as a free agent.

It will be a minor league contract.

The Guardians took the chance to wish him the best in his future endeavors.

“Thanks for everything, Ramón. Best of luck in Atlanta!,” the team wrote via Twitter.

Thanks for everything, Ramón.

Best of luck in Atlanta!#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/gu5sJoj8HZ

— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) May 29, 2024

As a member of the Guards’ outfield-designated hitter rotation, Laureano was incredibly disappointing in 2024 with a .143/.265/.229 line, a home run, and three stolen bases in 83 plate appearances.

For a guy who has had an .860 OPS in a season before, you know Cleveland was expecting much more from him.

Instead, he returned a .494 OPS.

Perhaps the Braves can help him regain his top form and realize his potential, which is an everyday player.

But the Guardians have Steven Kwan returning soon, Tyler Freeman, Will Brennan, and Johnathan Rodriguez available for the outfield at the moment, not to mention the red-hot David Fry.

They can afford to let him walk away and seek greener pastures.

In any case, the 37-19 Guardians have done well in the games Laureano hasn’t played.

All parties will be better off with Laureano in Atlanta.