Dream Guardians bullpen to help minimize the loss of Emmanuel Clase 

Last season was a tale of two halves for the Cleveland Guardians bullpen. In the first half of the season the Guardians rolled with familiar names in Emmanuel Clase, Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis, and others.

But then Emmanuel Clase was placed on non-disciplinary leave at the end of July, which changed the tenor of the Guardians’ season — and the franchise’s long-term outlook. 

However, the Guardians bullpen posted a 2.92 ERA in the 184 2/3 innings after Clase was suspended, which was the best mark in baseball among relief units in that time. 

The Guardians ended up sneaking into the postseason thanks to some otherworldly performances from everyone on their pitching staff, and it looks like they’re going to need another strong performance from the unit in 2026 if they want to make it back to October.

After taking a look at a dream Guardians lineup and starting rotation, here’s a look at what we think the best version of their bullpen could look like. 

Here's how the Guardians can build a dream bullpen for 2026

RHP Connor Brogdon 

The Guardians got a jump start on what should (hopefully) be an exciting Winter Meetings by signing Brogdon to a one-year major league deal on Wednesday. 

The 30-year-old posted a 5.55 ERA in 47 innings with the Angels last season, and will likely fill one of the roles in the bullpen opened up my the losses of Jakob Junis, Zak Kent and Kolby Allard. 

Brogdon has had some success in MLB (he was an above-average pitcher in 2022 for a Phillies team that made the World Series), but he’s struggled with consistency and injuries in recent years. 

RHP Matt Festa

The Guardians claimed “everyday Matt Festa" off waivers from the Rangers at the end of April, and he ended up finishing the year with the third-most appearances out of the bullpen (63). 

Even though Festa’s 4.12 ERA doesn’t look great, he finished the year strong (2.45 ERA in September) and will be under contract for $1 million in 2026. 

Stephen Vogt clearly trusts Festa, so expect him early and often next season. It may not seem like it, but he’s one of the most important relievers in the bullpen. 

LHP Tim Herrin 

After having a dominant season in 2024, Herrin struggled at the start of 2025 and was even sent down to Triple-A at the beginning of July due to his struggles with command. 

While he had a 6.75 ERA in 17 outings after he was called up when Clase was placed on non-disciplinary leave, that number was a bit inflated thanks to a three-run outing against the Rays and two-run outings against the Royals and Twins. 

Herrin’s a valuable left-handed arm in the bullpen, but his role in the ‘pen isn’t as locked down as it was last year thanks to his struggles in 2025.

He should break camp with the Guardians, but we’ve already seen the front office won’t hesitate when it comes to taking him off the roster. 

RHP Andrew Walters 

The Guardians had big plans for Walters in 2025, but his season never got off the ground due to injuries. His spring training was interrupted by a sore shoulder before he suffered elbow inflammation in Triple-A.

He was recalled from Triple-A at the end of May, but only made two appearances before suffering a season-ending lat injury. 

Walters opened his career in 2024 with 8 2/3 scoreless innings that led to him being a surprising addition on Cleveland’s postseason roster, and he should get a chance to build on that in 2026. 

Even though the Guardians added Yorman Gómez and Austin Peterson to their 40-man roster to serve as potential bullpen weapons, we're giving this spot to Walters. 

LHP Erik Sabrowski 

Sabrowski also made his debut down the stretch for the Guardians in 2024, and he’s turned into one of the most valuable pitchers in the bullpen. 

He missed the first three months of the season with elbow inflammation, but was lights out once he returned (1.84 ERA in 29 1/3 innings). 

Sabrowski has lapped Herrin as the most important left-hander in the bullpen, and he’s morphed from matchup weapon to shutdown reliever. 

RHP Tyler Rogers 

The Guardians already added one outside arm to their bullpen in the form of Brogdon, but adding Rogers would be a clear win for Cleveland’s front office. 

He doesn’t throw hard, but he’s one of the toughest pitchers to square up in all of baseball and he should be available on an affordable contract. 

Rogers has led the National League in appearances in two straight seasons so he has the kind of durability the Guardians love in relievers, and he’d easily slot into a setup role ahead of the the big two at the back of the bullpen. 

RHP Hunter Gaddis 

No surprises here. Gaddis moved up a rung when Clase was placed on leave, which resulted in him picking up his first three career saves while also working as an undisputed setup man for the first time in his career. 

Gaddis allowed just four earned runs across his final 23 appearances last season, and should slot right back into that setup role in 2026. The biggest thing to watch will be how much a factor fatigue will be; his 151 appearances since the start of 2024 is second in baseball behind only Rogers. 

RHP Cade Smith

The 2026 seasons will mark Smith’s first full season as the Guardians closer after he was thrust into the role halfway through last season due to Clase going on leave. 

While Smith flopped in his first appearance as closer, he posted a 2.51 ERA with 13 saves in 28 2/3 innings after Clase’s suspension and seems poised for another strong season anchoring Cleveland’s bullpen. 

He ended up with one of the best strikeout rates (34.7%) in baseball, and hitters only managed to hit .170 against his fastball.