Breaking down the Guardians' 'pen ahead of the 2026 season

CLEVELAND -- Entering this offseason, if you had to predict an area that would be the Guardians’ greatest focal point, you probably would have pointed to the lineup.

While there’s still time to add to an offense that ranked 28th in the Majors in runs per game in 2025 (3.97), the bulk of the Guardians’ moves this winter have addressed their bullpen. Cleveland has acquired more than a half-dozen relievers, paving the way for what should be a Spring Training laden with competition.

Let’s take a look at how the relief corps is shaping up as we get closer to pitchers and catchers reporting in Arizona.

Returning leverage arms
Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis, Erik Sabrowski, Tim Herrin

The Guardians must operate as if they will not have Emmanuel Clase, who went on non-disciplinary paid leave in July and was federally indicted in November. They’re set to turn to Cade Smith in the ninth inning: He converted 13 of 17 save chances while logging a 2.79 ERA and a 1.76 FIP in 29 innings over 30 appearances amid Clase’s absence last season.

Assuming Smith handles the bulk of the ninth-inning opportunities, Gaddis, Sabrowski and Herrin are the top returning options to bridge games to him. Gaddis has been stout in a setup role the past two seasons, and Sabrowski had a good 2025 (1.84 ERA over 33 appearances).

Herrin was optioned to Triple-A Columbus twice in an up-and-down 2025 (4.85 ERA, 15.5 percent walk rate in 54 appearances). He was better down the stretch, logging a 4.15 ERA over his final 12 appearances. That included a pair of scoreless outings in the AL Wild Card Series.

The returning everyday man
Matt Festa

Festa finished third on the Guardians in appearances (63) in 2025 despite not making his team debut until May 2. He was often reliable while recording a 4.12 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP and figures to slot into a similar role in ‘26, pitching in the middle-to-late innings.

The new right-handers
Shawn Armstrong, Colin Holderman, Connor Brogdon

With Smith in line to take the ninth, Armstrong provides manager Stephen Vogt another right-hander for high-leverage spots. The 35-year-old (who signed a one-year deal on Dec. 20 with a mutual option for 2027) is coming off a stellar season with the Rangers during which he recorded a 2.31 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP in 71 appearances.

The Guardians signed Holderman and Brogdon to one-year deals. Holderman had a tough 2025 (7.01 ERA in 24 appearances) with Pittsburgh, but he recorded a 3.52 ERA over 113 appearances from 2023-24. The right-hander is under club control through ‘28 with two Minor League options remaining. He could factor into the late-inning mix with a bounce-back season.

Brogdon logged a 5.55 ERA over 43 appearances with the Angels in 2025. Like Holderman, he has had past success in the Majors, including a 3.51 ERA over 130 appearances with the Phillies from 2021-23. Brogdon, however, is out of Minor League options.

The Rule 5 pick
Peyton Pallette

Pallette is a unique case after the Guardians selected him from the White Sox in the Rule 5 Draft. The club's No. 19 prospect must remain on Cleveland’s active roster all season; otherwise, the club will have to offer him back to Chicago. The 24-year-old reached Triple-A for the first time in 2025 and logged a 4.36 ERA in 43 1/3 innings over 36 appearances.

The non-roster invitees
Pedro Avila, Carlos Hernández, Codi Heuer

The Guardians signed Avila, Hernández and Heuer to a Minor League deal with an invite to big league Spring Training. Each will be in camp competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster. At the least, each could be depth in Columbus for when Cleveland needs to bring up a fresh arm.

Elsewhere on the 40-man roster
Andrew Walters, Franco Aleman, Daniel Espino

Walters will be behind others in camp after he underwent right lat surgery in June. Aleman had a tough 2025 with Columbus (7.85 ERA over 37 appearances), but he has intriguing stuff, including a sinker that gets up to around 100 mph.

Espino could be an interesting option this summer. The Guardians will be mindful of him, given that he underwent a right shoulder surgery in 2023 and ‘24. The 25-year-old started for Columbus on Sept. 20 in his first game action since April '22. Cleveland’s brass noted last month that it would meet with its medical staff and Espino to determine whether it makes more sense for him to start or pitch in relief.