The Cleveland Guardians entered the offseason with a big need for fresh arms in the bullpen. While they had one of the best bullpens in all of baseball last season, there’s always plenty of volatility between seasons.
They needed to add someone else now that Cade Smith would replace Emmanuel Clase as the closer, and they also need more depth because of how much they taxed that unit last season. With that in mind, they added Connor Brogdon. According to team analyst Bernie Pleskoff, he’s expected to be a middle reliever.
And while his numbers may not be the most impressive, he should give this team a much-needed boost:
“Last year with the Angels, Brogdon threw in 43 games, all in relief. He compiled a 5.55 ERA, and 1.34 WHIP in 47 innings with the Angels. He struck out an average of 9.38 hitters per nine innings, while walking 3.45 hitters per nine. He has a career 13-10 record, with a 4.36 ERA in 186 games, covering 192 innings. Brogdon’s role is likely in middle relief, similar to that of Jakob Junis,” Pleskoff wrote.
The Guardians still need to add more firepower to their offense, but that’s not likely to happen in free agency. Other than a mid-tier bat, they might not bring in anyone who could move the needle.
That being said, the fans should still have plenty of reasons to feel encouraged about this team. They’re well coached by the back-to-back Manager of the Year, and they have a plethora of young talent and players who look poised to break out next season. Also, with one of the best pitching coaching and development staffs, they might be able to bring the best out of Brogdon’s game.
He’s not a superstar by any means, and his raw numbers aren’t that impressive, but we’ve seen this team work his magic with hurlers way too many times in the past.
NEXT: Details Emerge About Guardians' Depth Chart In 2026
