The Cleveland Guardians are taking steps to bolster their bullpen this offseason following the exit of closer Emmanuel Clase amid MLB’s gambling probe. In a move announced by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Guardians have agreed to a major league contract with free-agent right-handed relief pitcher Connor Brogdon.
Brogdon, who previously played for the Los Angeles Angels, aims to revitalize his career after a challenging season. Starting the 2025 campaign on a minor league contract with the Angels, he initially found himself with Triple-A Salt Lake before being promoted to the major leagues in early May. However, his performance with the Angels was disappointing, yielding a 5.30 ERA across 37 appearances, which ultimately led to his reassignment to Triple-A. Despite briefly returning to MLB in September, he ended his season with a troubling 6.52 ERA over his last six games.
At 30 years old, Brogdon’s journey in professional baseball has been anything but straightforward. Initially selected in the 40th round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves, he chose instead to hone his skills at Lewis-Clark State College before becoming a 10th round pick for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017. After spending three years in the Phillies’ minor league system, he made his major league debut in 2020 and remained a part of the team until early 2024. A trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers, however, was marred by injury, as he only managed one appearance before being removed from the 40-man roster and subsequently entering free agency.
Brogdon previously showcased his potential during the 2022 postseason, contributing to the Phillies’ remarkable journey to the World Series, and he is eager to recapture that form with the Guardians. While his role in the bullpen is not guaranteed, he will have the opportunity to prove himself during the upcoming spring training, which starts in March. This fresh start could be just what Brogdon needs to reignite his career in a new environment. The Guardians’ management and fans alike will be watching closely, hoping for a successful comeback.