Kent is a lot cheaper than their $7M investment last year in Sewald; and similar year before for Barlow. Neither of whom was worth the money.

Unfortunately the worst OFs are also the only RH hitters they have out there. But they've never appeared much interested in JRod-- they let him go through Rule 5 a couple times in the past and no one was interested.

Jones, besides being awful, has enough time in to now qualify for arbitration. The two sites I've looked at project he gets $2M. For this team that salary should be too much to bear.
Lively projected at $2.75M and unavailable due to TJ surgery and Allard projected at $1.9M and a useful pitcher were released.

Article at the athletic lists the guaranteed salaries for 2026 including $3.5M for Trevor Stephen and $2.75 for Myles Straw after subtracting the $1M Blue Jays agreed to pick up.

Deadline to add players to avoid
Rule 5 is in 3:30. At present 3 openings on the roster. Plenty of candidates to be removed therefrom. Guardians usually make their announcment at about 5:59 p.m.

Guardians Prospective
@CleGuardPro
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6m
Cleveland #Guardians have selected the contract 22-year-old CF prospect Kahlil Watson to be added to the 40-man roster and protected from the MLB Rule 5 Draft.

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6m
Cleveland #Guardians have selected the contract 26-year-old RHP prospect Austin Peterson to be added to the 40-man roster and protected from the MLB Rule 5 Draft.
Guardians Prospective
@CleGuardPro
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Cleveland #Guardians have selected the contract 21-year-old shortstop prospect Angel Genao to be added to the 40-man roster and protected from the MLB Rule 5 Draft.
Guardians Prospective
@CleGuardPro
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Cleveland #Guardians have selected the contract 23-year-old RHP prospect Yorman Gomez to be added to the 40-man roster and protected from the MLB Rule 5 Draft.

Nic Enright DFA off roster.

AND jONES STAYS WITH US.
I'd rather have Antunez. Or lots of others.
Non tender deadline is ahead of us. But I think it's too late to add other guys to the protected roster?

I think it means that a spot or two will be opened up by non tender or trade ! Can not add anyone for protection of Rule 5 but can free up a spot or two to make a selection.

Recently read where Jones projections for the 2026 season is very encouraging. He showed signs of improvement before the injury.

38 on the 40 man now so they have room to sign a couple topnotch free agents.
However, our OF is good hands with Jones inked to a $2 million deal to avoid arbitration; and fellow RH hitting standouts JRod andJNoel returning.

In case you're looking for available old friend, among the 68 non-tendered is RHP Eli Morgan injured much of 2025

Last week, the Guardians elected to not tender a contract to left-handed reliever Sam Hentges after he spent all of the 2025 season rehabbing from arm and knee injuries. It didn’t take long for him to find a new home. Earlier today, Hentges agreed to a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the San Francisco Giants today, per Fansided’s Robert Murray. Hentges was projected to earn $1.3 million through arbitration, so he earned a bit of a pay bump.

Rule 5 draft at 2 PM today. Expect Guardians to select at least one or two relievers today.

Guardians Sign Colin Holderman: a Breakdown

Can Cleveland strike gold once again?

by Matt Seese

Dec 11, 2025, 5:35 PM CST

Way back at the non-tender deadline towards the end of November, the Pittsburgh Pirates non-tendered reliever Colin Holderman. Today, for $1.5 million, Holderman is a Guardian.

Holderman is a big right-hander, standing at 6-foot-6. He releases from a ~30 degree sidearm slot with the capability of pumping out 98-100 mph sinkers. He has a sweeper that breaks nearly a foot horizontally and nearly three feet down, and his newly found, hardly used splitter saw whiff rates near 40% in its infancy. This all sounds really promising for a fourth year man trying to find footing in the bullpen. Holderman posted a 7.01 ERA in 25.1 innings in 2025 with a K-BB% of just 1.6%.

It’s easy to see why Holderman was non-tendered. What’s harder to see is how it got to that point. A solid 2024 that saw Holderman’s best season as a big leaguer had the Pirates feeling as if they had a solid middle innings bullpen guy. Holderman posted a 3.16 ERA to go with a 77% left-on-base rate in 2024. Holderman inherited 23 baserunners in ‘24 with just 6 scoring. That comes out to a respectable 26% rate. However, an issue that plagued Holderman in 2024, and his whole career in fact, was a ballooning 11.2% walk rate. That rate jumped to 12.6% in 2025. The much larger, substantially more concerning number was that Holderman’s strikeout rate plummeted from 25.1% in 2024 all the way down to 14.4%.

Holderman possesses very good stuff. Stuff+ on Fangraphs graded Holderman out with an above average sinker (112), sweeper (133), and cutter (105). TJStats had them all above average as well, so what happened that took a 25.1% strikeout rate down to 14.4% if he improved his arsenal?

It all starts with an injury, as it often does. A knee sprain sidelined Holderman for a portion of the early season, and then in late May, Holderman dealt with right thumb inflammation that ultimately cratered his 2025 season. The inflammation wound up being tenosynovitis which, long story short, is similar to tendinosis. Essentially, gripping the ball was very painful for quite a while, and the only two ways to work around it are rest or surgery, if necessary. It likely would explain why his sweeper location plot went from the left picture in 2024 to the right picture in 2025:






After returning from the IL in late April from the knee sprain until returning to the injured list in late May for the thumb injury, Holderman posted an 8.71 ERA with 7 walks to 5 strikeouts. After returning, Holderman’s numbers improved, but his control did not. He lived in the heart of the zone with his sinker, and he just never regained feel for his sweeper. He was eventually demoted to Triple-A to finish the season.

So, what can we expect from Holderman in 2026? For starters, a clean bill of health. That is priority number one. Ensure his thumb is okay, and go from there. Tendinitis and tendinosis can always flare back up, but if taken care of correctly, it can be mitigated.

Secondly, continue figuring out what’s there with the splitter. Though Holderman’s splitter doesn’t differ a ton from his sinker’s movement plot, its usage becomes very important against left-handed hitters in creating the handedness platoon neutralizer. Holderman threw his newly found splitter just 9.8% of the time to lefties, but it generated a 40% whiff rate across 10 swings with just two being put very weakly into play. It’s a new pitch, and he didn’t throw it at all after returning from injury. Whether it played a part in him getting hurt or if he dropped it as he was slowly working himself back into game shape is unknown, but once Holderman returned, lefties hit just .154 with a 31.3% overall whiff rate. Add in continued development, and Holderman can almost drop his sweeper from his LHH arsenal entirely and work exclusively sinker/splitter/cutter.

Speaking of the sweeper, I expect his to return closer to form almost right away. A full offseason of work with the Guardians’ pitching development staff in Arizona plus Carl Willis and Brad Goldberg make me trust that he will right that ship. The key is keeping it down and away to right-handed bats and as a backdoor weapon to lefties early in counts to steal strikes. Where Holderman had issues, if we reference the above graphic, was burying it like he was able to in 2024. His sweeper possesses quality stuff, and it can be a valuable weapon inside to right-handed hitters in a similar vein as a backup slider, but it’s vastly more effective when he prioritizes whiffs with it down and away. Holderman’s sweeper in 2024 had an opponent average of just .163, an xwOBA of .216 with a 40.1% whiff rate. It was among the better sweepers in baseball, ranking fifth in all of MLB in run value with +6 RV. That drastically fell off in 2025 (-7), and location tells the story. A good comparison here is Tanner Houck, but as a reliever. When you can’t locate your sweeper down and away, a lot of its deception deters its stuff, and when it gets hit, it tends to find grass or bleachers.

Holderman’s walk issue likely maintains, though getting it under 10% would be ideal. Cleaning up his sweeper and his handedness splits also helps this while in turn helping the strikeout rate get back to it’s normal numbers. Holderman will come to Cleveland with two minor league options remaining, so a chance to be patient with him as he gets acclimated with the org is there. All in all, this is a quality depth signing with high upside, and given the cost, a very team-friendly deal as well. Here’s to hoping they’re not done with the bullpen yet, either.

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Guardians roll the dice on strikeout artist Peyton Pallette in Rule 5 draft

Updated: Dec. 11, 2025, 3:13 p.m.|Published: Dec. 11, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

By Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland’s front office has done it again – potentially. The Guardians’ selection of right-handed pitcher Peyton Pallette in the Rule 5 draft might just be the latest example of the organization’s uncanny ability to identify and develop bullpen talent that other teams overlook.

Pallette, the former No. 14 prospect in the Chicago White Sox system, represents a calculated $100,000 gamble that could pay immediate dividends for a Cleveland bullpen in desperate need of reinforcements.

“This guy’s going to get a long look in spring training as long as he’s healthy,” cleveland.com Guardians beat reporter Paul Hoynes explained on the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast. “As Stephen Vogt said, we’ve got four or five guys in the pen and we need eight. So Peyton Pallette could fit into that pen somewhere.”

What makes Pallette particularly intriguing is his journey to this point. Once projected as a top-10 pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, Tommy John surgery derailed those plans. The White Sox still selected him in the second round, investing $1.5 million in the Arkansas product, and their patience was rewarded when Pallette found his groove in the bullpen.

The numbers tell the story of a potential late-inning weapon: 86 strikeouts against just 28 walks in 55 2/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A last season. While he sits around 95 mph with his fastball, his two breaking balls and changeup give him a diverse arsenal that could translate immediately to major league success.

Unlike the towering relievers that have become a Cleveland trademark – Cade Smith (6-foot-5), Hunter Gattis (6-foot-6), Tim Herrin (6-foot-6) – Pallette stands just 6-foot-1 and weighs 190 pounds. But in an organization known for maximizing pitcher strengths, physical stature isn’t everything.

“The one thing the Guardians do really well is they find guys that they can plug into their bullpen,” Hoynes noted. “They’ve done it for years, guys under the radar, Rule 5 or minor league free agents or free agents coming off a kind of an injury or a subpar year. Their pitching group is able to find what the identify what these guys do well and really take advantage of it.”

As a Rule 5 selection, Pallette must remain on Cleveland’s 26-man roster all season, or be offered back to Chicago for half of the selection price. This restriction might actually work in his favor, as the Guardians have little choice but to give him meaningful opportunities.

“It looks like he’s going to have a real good chance to make the club out of spring training and stick,” said Joe Noga of cleveland.com. “They don’t necessarily have to pitch this guy in high leverage situations. But maybe in games where they’re down and he comes in, gives them an inning or two and can strike out a bunch of guys.”

For a franchise that consistently gets more from less in the bullpen department, Pallette represents the latest opportunity to turn another team’s oversight into Cleveland’s gain. And with several bullpen spots still up for grabs, Spring Training in Goodyear just became that much more interesting.

Will Pallette be the next hidden gem unearthed by Cleveland’s pitching development machine? Tune into the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast for more insights as the Guardians continue building their 2025 roster.

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Guardians sign ex-Pirates righty to bolster bullpen

Updated: Dec. 11, 2025, 5:37 p.m.|Published: Dec. 11, 2025, 4:32 p.m.

By Joe Noga, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians continued to add arms to their bullpen Thursday by adding ex-Pirates righty Colin Holderman on a one-year contract worth a reported $1.5 million.

After signing former Angels and Phillies right-hander Connor Brogdon to a big league contract ahead of the MLB winter meetings on Dec. 3, the club selected righty Peyton Pallette from the White Sox on Wednesday in the Rule 5 Draft. Manager Stephen Vogt told reporters in Orlando that the club was making relievers a priority.

“We need a lot,” Vogt said. “We need depth in the bullpen. We have four, maybe five, guys in our bullpen and we need eight.

“It’s an area we’re addressing for sure.”

Holderman, 30, was a ninth-round pick of the Mets in 2016 out of Heartland Community College. The Illinois native was traded to Pittsburgh before the 2022 deadline in exchange for Daniel Voglebach.

The Guardians have two minor league options remaining on Holderman and three years of control before he can become a free agent after the 2028 season.

Holderman pitched parts of four seasons with the Pirates, compiling an 8-11 record and a 4.13 ERA with a 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings. His best season was 2024 when he went 3-6 with a 3.16 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 51 1/3 innings. He also logged 56 innings in 2023 with 58 total strikeouts.

Holderman’s fastball averages a little above 97 mph according to Statcast and he relies heavily on his sinker, sweeper and cutter. In 2024 his breaking pitches ranked in the 88th percentile for run value among major league pitchers.

The right-hander saw part of his 2025 season cut short by injuries, missing time from April 6-26 with a right knee sprain and another injured list stint from May 20-July 7 with right thumb inflammation.

At 6-foot-6, 230 pounds, Holderman certainly fits the profile of a Guardians reliever, joining Brogdon (6-6), Hunter Gaddis (6-6), Tim Herrin (6-6), and Cade Smith (6-5). Pallette, and veteran Matt Festa both check in at 6-1.

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Why Guardians manager Stephen Vogt is handing ABS challenges to his catchers

Updated: Dec. 11, 2025, 2:55 p.m.|Published: Dec. 11, 2025, 2:47 p.m.

By Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — As Major League Baseball prepares to revolutionize the game with the introduction of the automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system in 2026, the Guardians have already determined who will be making those crucial decisions – and it’s not who you might expect.

While stars José Ramírez and Steven Kwan might seem like natural choices to challenge borderline calls given their elite batting eyes, first-year manager Stephen Vogt has a different philosophy when it comes to pitchers and catchers: keep emotional hurlers far away from the challenge button.

“Not surprising. Vogt, being a former catcher, wants his catchers to really control the challenge situation,” explained Paul Hoynes on the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast. “He says a pitcher going through his wind up with his head down after he releases the pitch is not in the greatest position to argue with an umpire or to challenge an umpire’s call on a ball or strike.”

Vogt’s strategy makes intuitive sense. The former big-league backstop understands that catchers have essentially the same view of the strike zone as umpires, putting them in an ideal position to judge borderline calls. But there’s another compelling reason to keep pitchers out of the challenge equation: their emotional investment in every pitch.

“Chris Antonetti added that a pitcher in the heat of the moment really doesn’t think logically,” Hoynes continued. “A lot of times he wants a strike, he wants a borderline strike. He wants the high strike. There’s, there’s not a pitch that he doesn’t think is in the strike zone. You could go through your challenges awfully fast.”

This measured approach reflects a broader organizational philosophy about roles and responsibilities. Rather than giving everyone input on challenges, Cleveland is creating clear lanes of accountability. Pitchers focus on execution, while catchers Bo Naylor and Austin Hedges will be tasked with managing the precious challenge opportunities.

“The Guardians are going to be relying on Bo Naylor and Austin Hedges to be the calm, level headed voice of reason behind the plate and making those challenges all season long,” Joe Noga observed.

The Guardians aren’t alone in recognizing the importance of the new challenge system. Hedges himself has been vocal about its potential impact, suggesting that teams who master the strategic use of challenges could gain a significant competitive advantage. By putting these decisions in the hands of catchers who have both the optimal viewpoint and the temperament to make rational judgments, Cleveland might be positioning themselves ahead of the curve.

For Naylor, a young catcher still establishing himself at the major league level, this additional responsibility represents both a challenge and a vote of confidence from his new manager. Hedges, meanwhile, brings veteran savvy and a reputation for defensive excellence that should translate well to this new aspect of the game.

As baseball enters this new era of technology-assisted umpiring, the Guardians’ approach underscores an important truth: sometimes the best innovation isn’t about who has the challenge ability, but rather who doesn’t. By removing the emotion of pitchers from the equation, Vogt may have found the perfect formula for challenge success before the system even debuts.

Want to hear more about how the Guardians are preparing for MLB’s automated ball-strike challenge system? Tune into the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast for ongoing coverage of this revolutionary change to America’s pastime.

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