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by Terry Pluto, Cleveland.com
Cleveland.com and Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto talks Browns, Cavaliers, Guardians and Northeast Ohio college basketball with host David Campbell.
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Highlights: It's (pretty much) a "LeBron-free zone" on this week's podcast. Guardians teammates Steven Kwan and Travis Bazzana share a history of overcoming intense skepticism and set the stage at Oregon State for their MLB careers. How Steven Kwan got back to being Steven Kwan. Lane Thomas: Why Terry thinks he could be a fit for the Guardians at the trade deadline in a deal with the Royals. Celebrating Guardians beat writer Paul Hoynes, who will be recognized this weekend at the Baseball Hall of Fame for his 43-year career covering Cleveland baseball. A listener emails in with info on the last Cleveland pitching rotation to start every game in a season. Cavs second-round pick Meleek Thomas shocked analysts with his elite offensive poise, earning a rare spot on the First-Team All-Summer League roster, Some data about a foolproof way teams can score touchdowns on first and goal from the 1-yard line. And a new Browns fan asks Terry: What advice do you have for me? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Highlights: Sixty years ago, Jim Brown retired at 29 during his absolute prime to pursue a Hollywood career after refusing an ultimatum from Browns owner Art Modell. The Guardians' starting rotation and its impressive consistency. We choose our Guardians team MVP so far, as well as Most Improved and Most Disappointing players in the first half. Prospect Chase DeLauter pairs a pragmatic, aggressive hitting philosophy with a reckless defensive style that raises serious concerns about long-term injuries. Is it OK to bunt to break up a no-hitter? We debate. The Pirates' Paul Skenes delivered the baseball quote of the year by deadpan joking that his teammate's historic 10-RBI performance was "selfish" and a "rally killer." Cavaliers draft pick Meleek Thomas is emerging as a potential draft steal, showcasing remarkable shooting efficiency and instant-offense potential in the Summer League. The top five Cavaliers of all time. Who are yours? Terry lists his. One thing we know will happen in 2026 Browns training camp starting in a couple of weeks. Why does the U.S. dominate in women's soccer internationally but not in men's? A listener emails. The sons of Jim Thome and C.C. Sabathia have been drafted by MLB, of note to Cleveland baseball fans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Highlights: Terry on how LeBron James adheres to own timeline when deciding where he'll play. James leveraged "one-plus-one" contracts to maximize his earnings and force front offices to continuously fulfill their roster-building promises Terry on why the Cavs' signing of Donovan Mitchell is more important than if they sign LeBron James. Constructing a roster around an aging LeBron James requires adding durable teammates capable of shouldering the grueling 82-game regular-season burden Would LeBron carry sway on the court when it comes to style of play? Why Cavs fans should be thankful for owner Dan Gilbert. The Cavaliers still need wings, with or without LeBron James· The Guardians are hanging in the division race even with their injury-hindered lineup. The story behind the Guardians' three all-stars. Terry's Guardians farm report. The biggest non-QB questions we have right now about the 2026 Browns. What will it take for the U.S. to go further in the World Cup? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Highlights: The Cavaliers face early offseason roster challenges, losing key defenders like Dean Wade while monitoring the LeBron James situation. Rumors of a third LeBron James stint in Cleveland are gaining traction as a strong narrative and positional fit for both the player and the franchise. James' 2010-2018 stretch remains historically unprecedented, Terry says, for his ability to switch teams and carry two different franchises to eight consecutive NBA Finals. Terry's concerns surrounding a potential LeBron reunion include James' age, declining durability, and the absolute necessity of careful injury management. Modern NBA championship team-building has shifted away from "super teams" toward organic development, smart drafting, and savvy trades. Uniting LeBron, James Harden, and Donovan Mitchell would create massive on-court challenges due to their exceptionally high usage rates and need to control the ball, Terry says. LeBron's off-court motives for returning to Cleveland include catching Michael Jordan's championship count and potentially filming a documentary of his final NBA season. The Guardians' integration of prospect Khalil Watson highlights the organization's ability to show patience. Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan is enduring an alarming offensive slump directly tied to a significant decline in his average bat speed. Minor league prospects Ralphy Velazquez and Chase DeLauter offer the Guardians legitimate hope for a much-needed wave of future offensive firepower. A comical on-field spat between Austin Hedges and former teammate Josh Naylor underscores Hedges' unifying presence and perhaps the organization's relief regarding Naylor's departure. The Guardians' starting rotation has defied expectations by remaining entirely stable this season, fueled by masterful drafting, trades, and the crucial game management of their catchers. A listener email proposes fixing apathetic NFL Week 18 games by incentivizing teams, awarding the winners of the final games the right to host a ninth home game the following season. Terry cautions couples against the modern "wedding industrial complex," warning that starting a marriage with exorbitant debt invites immediate and significant relational stress. Some listener emails about autographs, childhood baseball games and family memories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Highlights: The Cavaliers traded their No. 29 draft pick to drop to No. 34 and acquire a future second-round pick, preserving financial flexibility. The NBA's new "apron tariff" has drastically increased the value of second-round picks by allowing teams to utilize non-guaranteed contracts and avoid luxury tax penalties. Trading James Harden remains highly unrealistic due to his massive $42 million player option, noticeable physical decline, and reputation for forcing exits. Massive salary commitments to top-heavy contracts restrict the Cavaliers from executing significant roster upgrades or signing expensive free agents. Instead of executing a blockbuster overhaul, the Cavaliers' front office intends to rely heavily on internal roster development and cultural continuity, Terry says. Cleveland was excluded from the Bucks' blockbuster trade because they completely lacked the proven, high-upside young talent required to facilitate the deal. Terry is hosting a free public engagement event at a newly opened Barnes & Noble in Aurora to discuss his latest reporting with fans. The Guardians' current offensive struggles stem directly from a devastating sequence of injuries on June 13. A lack of hitting power and unproductive offensive strategies have led to a shockingly poor 11-14 record for the Guardians in tight, one-run games. Recent minor league call-ups are struggling significantly at the plate, highlighting the massive competitive skill gap between Triple-A and Major League pitching. Despite the position's reputation for poor hitting, catchers Patrick Bailey and Austin Hedges unexpectedly paced the Guardians' failing offense throughout June. With Gabriel Arias enduring a historically brutal slump, a listener suggests prioritizingthird-base plate appearances for Daniel Schneemann and David Fry. Should the Guardians target the promising Parker Messick for a contract extension? The heavily revamped White Sox have transformed into legitimate divisional threats, presenting a challenge for Cleveland in their upcoming weekend series. The NFL vs. Brendan Sorsby. In stark contrast to modern prospects transferring to elite academies, LeBron James famously remained loyal to his local neighborhood high school, elevating it to a national powerhouse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Highlights: Browns trade Myles Garrett to Rams for Jared Verse and three future picks to secure proven talent alongside draft capital; Jared Verse provides Cleveland with a highly productive, cost-controlled, 26-year-old edge rusher to immediately step in; Cleveland’s front office prioritizes a tangible, ascending young star Complex trade negotiations required Garrett to waive his no-trade clause. Rams maintain their aggressive roster-building philosophy by sacrificing future draft picks to maximize an immediate Super Bowl window Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders shatters single-year records with $17.7 million in NFLPA earnings. Terry wants to hear from Sanders fans. Guardians look different this year. Are they actually good? Guardians capitalizing on MLB rule changes with a highly aggressive baserunning strategy to manufacture runs without sacrificing outs. Redrafting the 2024 MLB Draft. How does Travis Bazzana stack up? Tanner Bibee endures a historically unlucky 13-start winless streak due to lack of run support despite elite pitching metrics. Knicks coach Mike Brown and his Cleveland background are headed to the NBA Finals. Who's winning it: Spurs or Knicks? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Highlights: Knicks' physical dominance and high-scoring pace overpowered an exhausted Cavaliers team in the playoffs Cavaliers retained head coach Kenny Atkinson for consistency after a successful Eastern Conference Finals run Game 1 loss to the Knicks will linger on Atkinson's resume, but future performance dictates his long-term job security Atkinson's analytics explanation: What was the big deal, anyway? James Harden's playoff struggles and guaranteed contract create significant challenges for Cleveland's future roster Evan Mobley: The secret to an improved Cavs roster next season. Jarrett Allen proved his toughness in the playoffs and should be valued as a highly reliable interior role player Exorbitant ticket prices and the prospect of a sweep led many Cavaliers fans to sell playoff seats to Knicks fans The late Bob Horner's immediate and successful jump from college to the majors in 1978 remains a rare baseball anomaly Guardians prospect Travis Bazzana highlights the necessity of minor league development for refining essential skills Tanner Bibee's five-home-run outing was a statistical anomaly against a potent Nationals lineup, not an underlying physical injury Moving Steven Kwan lower in the batting order relieved leadoff pressure and helped stabilize his offensive approach Guardians' minor league system looks different with its emphasis on power hitters. Things we're looking forward to about the 2026 Browns. And two listener emails about autographs they secured as kids. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Highlights: The aftermath of the Cavs blowing a 22-point lead to lose Game 1 to the New York Knicks 115-104 in overtime after a staggering 44-11 run. Is the national media treating the Cavs like the Indians got treated in the 2016 World Series? What's the best way for the Cavs to defend Jalen Brunson? What Terry would like to see. New York capitalized on an exhausted James Harden late in the game by explicitly targeting him in pick-and-roll switches Knicks coach Mike Brown says he has counted James Harden's dribbles to give his team a psychological edge. What Terry would say if he were Kenny Atkinson. Cleveland's demise was fueled by 19 turnovers and a stagnant isolation offense that produced only three points in overtime Donovan Mitchell played brilliantly for three and a half quarters before completely disengaging offensively in the final stretch The Guardians surged to lead the majors in May runs scored due to the rapid, simultaneous development of young prospects Top draft pick Travis Bazzana has excelled since his Triple-A call-up, showcasing elite on-base skills, speed, and physical readiness Young Guardians hitters including Rocchio, Martinez, and Manzardo have shown significant maturity and improved plate discipline Relocating Steven Kwan lower in the batting order successfully relieved the psychological pressure of leading off and helped break his slump The ABS system: Is it making baseball less fun? And an umpire writes in with thoughts about why an ABS overturn doesn't mean an ump missed a call. The Browns must decisively name their starting quarterback early in the preseason to ensure maximum first-team repetitions in Todd Monken's newly overhauled offense. Listener emails about their most memorable MLB games, and watching a young Reggie Jackson in Baltimore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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