MLB’s Winter meetings are underway and the hot stove is cooking as a few big free agents have already landed nine-figure deals. The Cleveland Guardians have been mentioned in a few rumors, but haven’t made any big splashes just yet in an effort to get this team to the next level following a disappointing loss in the American League Wild Card series.
The Guardians have some gaps to fill, with the most glaring needs being a big bat and more bullpen depth to help offset the loss of star closer Emmanuel Clase. While the front office is hopefully still working on the former, the Guardians did make a move on Thursday to help with the latter.
FanSided’s Robert Murray shared on X that the Guardians signed reliever Colin Holderman to a one-year deal. The 30-year-old is coming off a rough season, but clearly the Guardians saw something they liked and will now see if they can get him back to the pitcher he was prior to 2025.
“Free-agent reliever Colin Holderman and the Cleveland Guardians are in agreement on a one-year contract, according to sources familiar with the deal.”
Free-agent reliever Colin Holderman and the Cleveland Guardians are in agreement on a one-year contract, according to sources familiar with the deal.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) December 11, 2025
Holderman posted a 7.01 ERA in 24 appearances for the Pittsburgh Pirates this past season, which was a major dropoff from the previous few years he had in Pittsburgh. His 3.16 ERA across 55 appearances in 2024 is much more aligned with the pitcher the Guardians hope they will be getting in this deal.
Holderman’s deal will net him $1.5 million for 2025, and there’s plenty of reason to believe he can turn things around. He went through some injuries in 2025, but he still throws abover 97 mph and should be a nice buy-low addition to this bullpen.
Where he slots in remains to be seen, but you can never have too many of these kinds of arms. Manager Stephen Vogt said recently that adding to the bullpen was a priority, and it’s nice to see that come true.
NEXT: Guardians Named Favorites To Sign Promising SS Prospect
