Guardians Take a Chance on Colin Holderman with One-Year Deal
So here’s what’s going on with Colin Holderman and the Cleveland Guardians. A one-year agreement has been reached between Holderman and the club, according to multiple reports, even though the team hasn’t officially announced it yet. The deal is expected to be worth around $1.5 million, which makes this a fairly low-risk move for Cleveland as they continue to reshape and reinforce their bullpen.
Holderman, who is 30 years old, is coming off a tough season with the Pirates — a year that was defined as much by injuries as it was by inconsistency. He missed time in April with a right knee sprain and then lost another six weeks to right thumb inflammation. In the innings he did manage to throw in 2025, things just didn’t come together, and a 7.01 ERA reflected those struggles. Because he was projected for a slight raise through arbitration, Pittsburgh ultimately decided to non-tender him.
Also Read:But the Guardians aren’t looking at just the rough patches. They’re looking at the larger body of work. And when you do that, the picture becomes a lot more interesting.
During the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Holderman was quietly one of the Pirates’ more effective relievers. His fastball routinely sat above 97 mph, and he mixed in a sinker, cutter, slider, and even experimented with a splitter last year. His numbers during that two-year stretch — a 3.52 ERA, nearly a 25% strikeout rate, and a ground-ball rate north of 45% — show a pitcher who had the stuff and command to be a reliable late-inning option. He also earned two saves and collected 48 holds, which suits his name almost too perfectly.
Cleveland’s interest makes even more sense when you listen to manager Stephen Vogt. He’s been very clear: the bullpen needs depth. The team only had four or five bullpen locks, and they needed to get that group up to eight dependable arms. Holderman fits the profile Cleveland tends to target — a big, hard-throwing righty with upside — and at 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, he joins a bullpen full of towering relievers.
The Guardians have already added Connor Brogdon and Rule 5 pick Peyton Pallette, and Holderman slots in as another option who could rediscover his best form. Because he still has minor league options, the club can afford to be patient. If he bounces back and finishes the season strong, they can keep him under control beyond 2026 through arbitration.
So essentially, this is a classic Guardians move: low cost, high potential, and rooted in the belief that their pitching development system can help a talented arm regain his footing. Whether it pays off will depend largely on Holderman’s health — but the upside is absolutely there.
Read More:
0 Comments