MLB teams, players, coaches, managers, media, and fans are all bracing for a work stoppage that will likely start on Dec. 1, with no clear end date. It all depends on how quickly the owners and the union can hammer out the new collective bargaining agreement, and history suggests it may take a while.
That hasn’t stopped teams from looking for roster upgrades while transactions are still allowed. The Cleveland Guardians specifically are set to enter a key offseason, as they made it to the last four teams in 2026 but are a few pieces away from being bona fide World Series contenders.
They made a move on Monday to set the tone for the rest of the week. It wasn’t an earth-shattering transaction, but it shows that they are ready to look for roster improvements.
“We have signed LHP Antoine Kelly to a Minor League contract,” Guards Insider posted, indicating that he also got an invitation to spring training.
We have signed LHP Antoine Kelly to a Minor League contract.#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/L7y1KwcvXT
— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) November 9, 2026
Kelly is a left-handed pitcher who will turn 27 in December. He has been around for a while, as he was a second-round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2019.
He has spent time with multiple organizations to this point, including the Brewers, the Texas Rangers, the Colorado Rockies, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Chicago Cubs, with whom he made his MLB debut this year.
In 2026, Kelly tossed 1.1 scoreless innings in the majors with the Cubs. He had a 4.25 ERA in Triple-A with the Cubs and a 5.14 mark at the same level with the Dodgers.
Kelly can certainly get swings and misses. He is 6’5”, and his 93-96 mph fastball plays up due to its excellent carry up in the zone. He also throws a sweeping mid-80s slider with a lot of movement. Control, however, is a problem.
He hasn’t had a BB/9 (walks per nine innings) lower than six since 2023, which is worrisome, to say the least. The Guardians, however, hope that he can take a step forward in that last department under the guidance of some of the greatest pitching minds in the game, most notably long-time coach Carl Willis.
If Kelly can learn to throw more strikes, he could potentially be a Tim Herrin-like reliever for the Guardians, which isn’t a bad outcome. He is not there yet, though, but who knows? Maybe he can be a contributor for one of MLB’s best bullpens next year at some point.
NEXT: Guardians’ Breakout Prospect Turned Heads In AFL Fall Stars Game
