Cleveland Guardians Sign Right-Handed Reliever Connor Brogdon

The Cleveland Guardians have signed right-handed relief pitcher Connor Brogdon to a one-year Major League contract worth $900,000. Brogdon, who turns 31 in January, joins the Guardians after a challenging season with the Los Angeles Angels, where he posted a 5.55 ERA over 47 innings in 2025.

Connor Brogdon was originally selected in the 10th round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies after attending Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho. He made his MLB debut in 2020 and spent parts of five seasons with the Phillies, achieving a career ERA of 3.88 and contributing significantly during the team's 2022 postseason run. However, his performance declined in subsequent seasons, leading to a trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024, where he made only one appearance due to injury.

In 2025, Brogdon struggled with the Angels, recording a 5.30 ERA in 37 appearances before being sent back to Triple-A. He returned to the major leagues in September but finished the season with a 6.52 ERA in his final six games. Despite these challenges, Brogdon's fastball velocity returned to an average of 95.5 mph, a positive sign for his potential resurgence.

Throughout his six-year MLB career, Brogdon has accumulated a 4.36 ERA across 186 appearances, with an average of 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings. His 2025 season was marked by an unusually high number of home runs allowed, with 11 homers contributing to his inflated ERA. However, advanced metrics suggest that his performance may have been affected by fluky home run rates, as indicated by a SIERA of 3.86.

The Guardians are optimistic about Brogdon's potential to improve within their pitching framework, which has a reputation for developing talent. The team aims to integrate him into their bullpen, which has been effective despite the loss of closer Emmanuel Clase due to a gambling investigation in July 2025.

Critics of the signing point to Brogdon's inconsistent performance and high ERA as potential red flags. Some analysts question whether the Guardians can effectively rehabilitate his career, especially given his struggles with the Angels and the Dodgers.

Brogdon will have the opportunity to compete for a spot in the Guardians' bullpen during spring training. His contract includes an additional year of arbitration eligibility in 2027, providing the team with control over his future if he performs well. As he seeks to regain his form, Brogdon's integration into the Guardians' pitching staff will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike.