**Guardians Trade for Justin Bruihl, DFA Jhonkensy Noel Before Christmas**
Key Takeaways:
- The Cleveland Guardians acquired reliever Justin Bruihl from the Toronto Blue Jays for cash considerations.
- To make room on the 40-man roster, the team designated outfielder Jhonkensy Noel for assignment.
- Noel’s timing on the DFA, just a week before Christmas, has stirred considerable fan reaction on social media.
Cleveland, OH — The Cleveland Guardians have acquired left-handed reliever Justin Bruihl from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations. To accommodate the move, the club designated power-hitting outfielder Jhonkensy Noel for assignment, a decision that drew online buzz both for its baseball implications and its unfortunate holiday timing.
Guardians Add Depth to Bullpen with Bruihl
Justin Bruihl, who turns 29 next June, impressed despite limited major league innings in 2025. In just 13 2/3 innings with Toronto, he posted a 5.27 ERA but with strong peripherals: a 27.7% strikeout rate, 46.2% ground ball rate, and 4.16 FIP. His inflated ERA was skewed by a staggering .459 BABIP. In Triple-A, he put up a 3.43 ERA across 42 innings and maintained similar underlying metrics. Bruihl becomes the latest addition to a Cleveland bullpen that struggled with walk issues from current southpaws.
Noel’s Power Can’t Offset Contact Woes
Popularly nicknamed “Big Christmas,” Jhonkensy Noel had tantalizing power but struggled with consistency and plate discipline. In 351 big league plate appearances, he launched 19 home runs but struck out at a 32.8% rate while walking just 4.8%. That combination produced a subpar .193/.242/.401 slash line and a 79 wRC+. Noel has exhausted his minor league options, complicating his retention. With Cleveland’s younger outfielders like George Valera and Chase DeLauter reaching the majors, the front office opted to cut Noel ahead of the Rule 5 draft protection deadline.
Reactions and What Comes Next
The timing of Noel’s DFA—less than a week before Christmas—sparked notable fan reaction online. While Bruihl provides Cleveland a controllable lefty with solid strikeout metrics, many fans lamented parting ways with a player affectionately tied to the holiday season. However, Cleveland’s decision reflects strategic prioritization: adding a reliable arm to a bullpen with control struggles. Bruihl, who has fewer than two years of service time, can be controlled for up to five seasons. Noel could be claimed off waivers or traded before becoming a free agent, given his remaining control years and raw power profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is justin bruihl trending?
A: He was traded from the Blue Jays to the Guardians, and in a corresponding move, the Guardians designated slugger Jhonkensy Noel just days before Christmas—sparking strong fan reactions online.
Q: What happens next?
A: Bruihl will compete for a spot in Cleveland’s bullpen during spring training. Noel awaits either a waiver claim, trade, or potential outright assignment if unclaimed.
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