Guardians Secure Major League Deal with Connor Brogdon

The Cleveland Guardians have officially secured a major league contract with right-handed pitcher Connor Brogdon, as reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The deal will see Brogdon earning a salary of $900,000 for the upcoming season, according to Zack Meisel.

Overview of Connor Brogdon’s Career

As of January, Brogdon will be 31 years old. His path to this contract is noteworthy, especially considering he had to settle for a minor league agreement with the Los Angeles Angels last year. Over the past season, he made brief appearances with the Angels but was placed on waivers twice.

• In total, Brogdon pitched 47 innings for Los Angeles, recording an earned run average (ERA) of 5.55.
• Despite the high ERA, his 24.6% strikeout rate and 9% walk rate align closely with league averages.
• Brogdon allowed 11 home runs in 2023, nearly doubling his previous career high of six.

Brogdon’s Performance Metrics

Some metrics suggest that Brogdon’s home run issues could be fluky. For example, his SIERA stood at 3.86 for the year. His fastball velocity also showed a comeback, averaging 95.5 mph in 2025, compared to 92.8 mph in a limited 2024 season where he battled plantar fasciitis.

Past Achievements with the Phillies

Prior to joining the Angels, Brogdon spent three productive seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies from 2020 to 2022. During this period, he:

• Logged 113 innings with a 3.42 ERA.
• Boasted a strikeout rate of 25.1% and a walk rate of 7.3%.
• Emerged as a reliable option, achieving three saves and 16 holds.
• Posted a stellar 2.08 ERA in 8.2 postseason innings during the 2022 World Series run.

The Guardians’ Bullpen Situation

The Guardians are known for their effective bullpen. Despite losing key player Emmanuel Clase due to a gambling investigation in July, they maintained a strong collective ERA of 3.44, ranking third in MLB behind the San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox.

Future Considerations for Brogdon

Brogdon’s contract status is strategic. He is out of options, meaning he cannot be sent to the minors without passing through waivers. If he is designated for assignment, he could opt for free agency but would lose his salary commitments if he has under five years of service time.

Although the $900,000 contract is not significantly higher than the MLB minimum of $780,000, it may deter teams from claiming him off waivers. The Guardians may also see Brogdon as valuable non-roster depth in Triple-A, providing flexibility as they try to harness his potential for the 2027 season.