When the Cleveland Guardians punched their ticket to the postseason last year, it wasn’t because they were lighting up the scoreboard. Offensively, this team had its struggles. But what they lacked in firepower at the plate, they more than made up for on the mound-particularly in the bullpen, where a pair of right-handers quietly became one of the most dependable late-inning duos in baseball.
At the heart of that bullpen success? Hunter Gaddis.
Gaddis, now firmly entrenched as Cleveland’s setup man, has been nothing short of elite since the start of the 2024 season. According to data shared by Guardians Prospective, Gaddis leads all Major League relievers in holds over that span with 68.
That’s not just good-it’s a sign of trust from the coaching staff and consistent execution in high-leverage spots. Holds might not get the same spotlight as saves, but in today’s game, where bullpen matchups are everything, they tell you who’s getting the ball when the game is on the line.
But Gaddis isn’t just racking up holds-he’s also been one of the best in the league at stranding runners. His 81.3% left-on-base percentage ranks fifth among all MLB relievers with at least 100 innings pitched since the start of 2024. That stat tells the story of a pitcher who doesn’t just get outs-he gets them when they matter most.
What made Gaddis’ rise even more critical was the way he and fellow reliever Cade Smith stepped into the spotlight after the departure of All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase. Losing a weapon like Clase could’ve easily derailed Cleveland’s bullpen blueprint. Instead, Gaddis and Smith formed a new-look back-end tandem that kept the Guardians competitive and confident in close games.
Smith took over closing duties with poise, while Gaddis locked down the eighth inning like a seasoned veteran. Together, they gave Cleveland a reliable bridge to victory-something that’s become increasingly rare in an era where bullpen performance can swing wildly from year to year.
That volatility is exactly why the Guardians can’t just assume last year’s formula will work again without adjustments. Relievers are notoriously unpredictable, and Cleveland leaned heavily on its bullpen throughout the season. Even with a full offseason to recharge, managing fatigue and workload will be key heading into 2026.
Still, if there’s one area the Guardians can feel confident about, it’s the late innings. With Gaddis continuing to thrive in the setup role and Smith holding things down in the ninth, Cleveland has the kind of bullpen stability that most teams envy. No need to overthink it-when you’ve got something that works this well, you ride it as far as it’ll take you.