CLEVELAND, Ohio — The latest Guardians’ offseason roster shuffle ended Tuesday after the club traded left-handed reliever Justin Bruihl to the Cardinals for cash considerations.
Bruihl was part of a series of minor trades and transactions spread out over the last three weeks that ultimately resulted in the release of slugger Jhonkensy Noel and the addition of veteran righty Shawn Armstrong to the bullpen.
Bruihl spent three days on Cleveland’s 40-man roster before he was designated for assignment to make room for Armstrong, who signed a one-year contract worth $5.5 million that includes an $8 million mutual option for 2027.
The order of events and logic are a bit circuitous, but here is a breakdown:
Toronto designated Bruihl for assignment on Dec. 16.Cleveland acquired Bruihl in a cash trade on Dec. 17In order to make room for Bruihl on the 40-man roster, the Guardians DFA Jhonkensy Noel.Noel spent 19 days in “DFA limbo” over the holidays, as Cleveland would have normally had five days to trade, waive or outright him to the minors.Baltimore claimed Noel off waivers on Monday after an extended holiday break.The Guardians DFA Bruihl on Dec. 20 after signing Armstrong.After 16 days in DFA limbo, Cleveland completes a trade sending Bruihl to the Cardinals for cash.
Bruihl essentially served as a placeholder until Cleveland reached a deal with Armstrong, who took Noel’s spot on the roster. The trades with Toronto and St. Louis amount to a cash exchange that covers Bruihl’s expected salary.
Ironically, adding Bruihl forced the Cardinals to designate another former Guardians reliever, Zak Kent, for assignment on Tuesday.
Kent made his big league debut with Cleveland in April against the Yankees. St. Louis claimed him off waivers on Dec. 5 after he was released by the Guardians.