Guardians Secure Major League Deal with Connor Brogdon
The Cleveland Guardians have officially signed right-handed pitcher Connor Brogdon to a major league contract. The agreement was reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Brogdon’s contract worth $900,000 for the upcoming season adds depth to the Guardians’ pitching staff.
Contract Details and Player Background
- Player: Connor Brogdon
- Age: 31 (turning 31 in January)
- 2025 Salary: $900,000
- Previous Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Angels
Brogdon had a challenging season with the Angels, where he pitched 47 innings and recorded a 5.55 earned run average (ERA). His performance included 11 home runs allowed, which nearly doubled his previous career high. However, Brogdon’s strikeout rate at 24.6% and walk rate at 9% were near league averages.
Performance and Expectations
In previous seasons (2020 to 2022), while with the Phillies, Brogdon showcased better results, posting a 3.42 ERA over 113 innings with a 25.1% strikeout rate. His fastball velocity during that period ranged between 95-96 mph. The Guardians believe he can regain that form, especially now that his fastball velocity returned to an average of 95.5 mph in 2025.
Despite achieving a 4.03 ERA in 2023, Brogdon’s performance was impacted by an earlier battle with plantar fasciitis, leading him to pitch only three big league innings that year. His velocity dropped to 92.8 mph during that limited time. Nonetheless, the Guardians are optimistic about his potential for growth and improvement.
Team Context and Future Prospects
As the Guardians prepare for the upcoming season, Brogdon joins a solid bullpen, which finished the 2025 season with a collective ERA of 3.44, ranking third in the majors. Despite losing key player Emmanuel Clase mid-season due to a gambling investigation, the team’s relief pitching held strong.
Brogdon faces a crucial year ahead as he is out of options, meaning he cannot be sent to the minors without waivers. If the Guardians decide to pass him through waivers, he has the option to become a free agent, although he would have to forfeit his guaranteed salary. Given his contract, Brogdon is unlikely to walk away from the $900,000 salary, especially with the MLB minimum set at $780,000.
Looking Ahead
The Guardians may also consider using Brogdon as non-roster depth in Triple-A at some point. If he retains a roster spot by the end of the 2026 season, he could be eligible for arbitration in 2027. With this major league deal, Brogdon aims to bounce back and contribute effectively to the Guardians’ bullpen.
