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.
The club has not yet officially announced the deal.
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.
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.
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.
