The Cleveland Guardians’ front office has been open and honest about their need for bullpen depth heading into the 2026 season. Chris Antonetti said back in November that they were willing to go outside the organiation get help in this department.
That’s exactly what the Guardians did on Wednesday, as the organization announced that it signed RHP Connor Brogdon to a Major League deal for the 2026 season.
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Brogdon, 30, has spent most of his career with the Philadelphia Phillies after debuting in 2020. Then, in 2024, he was designated for assignment by Philly, picked up by the Los Angeles Dodgers, was outrighted by the team, and elected free agency, where the cross-town Angels picked him up.
The right-hander spent the 2025 season with the Angels before being outrighted in October, electing free agency again, and ultimately landing with the Guardians.
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Brogdon has been a fairly consistent pitcher throughout his career. He’s appeared in 186 games since 2020, and owns a 4.36 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP.
During the 2025 season, Brogdon pitched in 43 games with the Angels, registering a 5.55 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP.
Brogdon’s strength was his ability to generate swing-and-miss from opposing hitters. He had a chase-rate of 30.2 percent, whiff-rate of 29.3 percent, and a strikeout rate of 24.6 percent last season, all of which were above league average.
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Overall, Brogdon did give up some hard contact, but maybe the Guardians have a plan in mind to help him change that.
Jun 13, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher Connor Brogdon (75) looks on during the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
The Guardians will reportedly pay Brogdon $900,000 for the 2025 season. That said, this isn’t a move with just next year in mind.
Because Brogdon has about 4 years of MLB service time, he will also be under the Guardians’ control through the 2027 season.
Signing Brogdon was definitely a savvy move by the front office to bring a free agent into their organization.
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With this signing, Cleveland’s 40-man roster now stands at 38, giving the Guardians still some more room to make more moves with MLB’s Winter Meetings approaching next week.