The Cleveland Guardians have added bullpen depth by signing right-hander Colin Holderman to a one-year contract. Holderman, recently non-tendered by the Pittsburgh Pirates, brings Major League experience with a career 4.13 ERA. The move addresses Cleveland's need for relief pitching as identified by manager Stephen Vogt.
The Cleveland Guardians announced the signing of right-hander Colin Holderman to a one-year deal on Thursday, bolstering their bullpen during the Winter Meetings. Holderman was non-tendered by the Pittsburgh Pirates on November 21 and remains under club control through 2028, with two Minor League options left.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt emphasized the team's priorities earlier in the week, stating, “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.” Entering the offseason, Cleveland's reliable relievers included Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis, Erik Sabrowski, Matt Festa, and Tim Herrin.
Now 30 years old, Holderman has appeared in 161 Major League games over four seasons with the New York Mets and Pirates, posting a career 4.13 ERA, 4.01 FIP, and 1.40 WHIP across 161 1/3 innings. He showed promise from 2023 to 2024 with a 3.52 ERA, 3.75 FIP, and 1.32 WHIP in 107 1/3 innings over 113 outings. However, his 2025 season was hampered by a right thumb injury that sidelined him for nearly two months, resulting in a 7.01 ERA, 5.86 FIP, and 1.95 WHIP in 25 2/3 innings across 24 appearances.
Holderman employs a six-pitch arsenal, relying most on his sinker (97.4 mph average, 22.9% whiff rate in 2025), sweeper, cutter, and four-seam fastball. His sweeper, which saw 47.6% usage in 2024 (40.1% whiff rate, .163 BA against), struggled in 2025 (30.6% whiff rate, .424 BA against), suggesting potential for rebound.
This signing follows the Guardians' addition of Connor Brogdon on a one-year deal last week and the selection of Peyton Pallette in the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday. Pallette ranks as Cleveland's No. 19 prospect per MLB Pipeline.
