Just three days ago, the Cleveland Guardians lost Game 6 of the American League Championship Series to the Tampa Bay Rays and were eliminated from title contention. They wrapped up an impressive campaign, but it once again came to an abrupt and disappointing end.
Now, it’s time for Cleveland to focus on next season. There’s always next year, but fans want more than just making the playoffs. They want to see their team lift the trophy for the first time since 1948.
The organization is already starting to shape the roster for next year. No, these moves didn’t involve the active MLB roster, but the following two players were part of it just a couple of weeks ago. Now, they have elected free agency.
“Cleveland Guardians RHP relief pitchers Connor Brogdon and Carlos Hernandez have elected free agency,” Guardians Prospective reported on Thursday morning.
Cleveland #Guardians RHP relief pitchers Connor Brogdon and Carlos Hernandez have elected free agency.
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) October 21, 2026
The Guardians had initially signed Brogdon in December to a one-year, $900,000 contract. He was then designated for assignment in May. The right-hander accepted a Triple-A assignment and stayed there for depth until he was called up again in September.
He was again designated for assignment on September 23 after 10 days in the majors, and this time, he is choosing to test the free-agent waters. In 16 innings with the Guardians’ MLB team, Brogdon left a 5.06 ERA and was dead last in fWAR on the team, with a -0.3 mark.
Hernandez joined the Guardians organization last summer, when the Guardians claimed him off waivers from the Detroit Tigers. He was DFA’d last year and elected free agency, but chose to re-sign in Cleveland on a minor league deal in November.
The Guardians selected his contract on September 1, 2026, and DFA’d him again on the 4th. He was sent to Triple-A initially, but has now chosen to become a free agent and look for a better opportunity elsewhere.
Hernandez, who has over 300 innings of MLB experience, mostly with the Kansas City Royals, pitched just three frames for Cleveland in the majors this year, posting a 6.00 ERA.
There is a chance that one or both pitchers end up returning to Cleveland on minor league deals, depending on what the market has for them.
NEXT: Insider Makes A Bold Prediction About The Guardians’ Future
