The Guardians need to avoid making this critical bullpen mistake again in 2026

While the Guardians made it to the American League Championship League in 2024, they had a frustratingly quiet offseason that was highlighted by some big moves that took talent away from Cleveland’s major league roster. 

But the one big move they made to add to the roster was the addition of Paul Sewald on a $7 million contract to serve as a quality setup arm behind closer Emmanuel Clase. 

It was a move that was an abject disaster. 

While Sewald picked up the save on Opening Day, he posted a 4.70 ERA in 15 1/3 innings with Cleveland while missing most of the first half with a shoulder strain. The Guardians decided to cut bait with him at the trade deadline by sending him to the Tigers, where he only made four starts in the second half. 

The Guardians need to avoid making the same kind of mistake they made this season with Paul Sewald

While the Guardians will need to add to their bullpen this offseason, Sewald being a bust should serve as a cautionary tale for whatever move they make. 

Even though Sewald had recorded 84 saves during his eight-year career prior to coming to Cleveland, there were some clear red flags on his profile. 

Not only was he removed from the closer role in August, but he also had dealt with a strained left oblique and left side discomfort. 

Sure he had previously served as the closer on a team that made it to the World Series, but he also had been ineffective and injured in 2024. 

Although Guardians have struck gold on signing injured pitchers before, Sewald was in a different boat than Matthew Boyd or John Means. It wasn’t like he was rehabbing from Tommy John or working his way back from surgery; his injury seemed to exist in the weird space where he could pitch through it even if it was clearly hampering him. 

And that same kind of theme carried over to his time with the Guardians. After picking up that save on Opening Day, he allowed two runs in 2/3 of an inning in his next outing. He bounced back at the start of April before he posted a 12.27 ERA across his final five appearances of the month and ended up on the injured list. 

Don’t get us wrong, it was encouraging to see the Guardians sign a veteran reliever who had an established track record. Those kinds of signings can (sadly) be few and far between for this front office. But it was a matter of who they signed. 

There are always plenty of veteran relief pitchers available on the market, so giving guaranteed money to one who was coming off a year defined by injury was a bit of a head-scratcher. 

This year’s free agent class also features plenty of intriguing arms, but the Guardians front office should elect to pay a little more for an established arm like Brad Keller.