The Cleveland Guardians have kept things relatively quiet this offseason, at least in terms of spending. They haven’t handed out a contract north of $1.5 million, but that doesn’t mean this roster is standing pat. In fact, there’s a lot of internal movement brewing - and the bullpen might be where we see the most shake-up.
The biggest elephant in the room? The absence of Emmanuel Clase.
With the former All-Star closer facing serious off-field issues tied to gambling, the Guardians are suddenly without their late-inning anchor. And when you lose a guy like Clase, the ripple effect hits the entire bullpen.
Roles shift, expectations change, and opportunities open up - but not everyone is guaranteed a seat when the music stops.
Two names to watch closely as camp approaches: Tim Herrin and Peyton Pallette. Both are talented arms, but their 2026 outlook is anything but secure.
Let’s start with Herrin. Just two seasons ago, he looked like a breakout star.
In 2024, the lefty was lights out - a 1.92 ERA over 74 appearances, anchoring a bullpen that was arguably the best in baseball. He was efficient, composed, and flat-out dominant.
But 2025 told a very different story. His ERA spiked to 4.85, his WHIP jumped to 1.57, and he struggled to find the strike zone with any consistency.
Simply put, he lost his edge.
The Guardians had hoped Herrin could lock down a setup role, especially with Cade Smith stepping into the closer job. But Herrin’s inconsistency made that plan hard to stick with.
If he can’t rediscover the command and poise he showed in 2024, the leash in 2026 is going to be short. This is a bullpen that values reliability, and right now, Herrin has to prove he can be that guy again.
Then there’s Peyton Pallette, a new face with an intriguing profile. The Guardians grabbed him from the White Sox in the Rule 5 Draft - meaning he has to stick on the big-league roster or be offered back to Chicago. That adds a layer of urgency to his situation.
Pallette is only 24, and while he hasn’t pitched above the minors yet, there’s a lot to like. He posted a 4.06 ERA across 52 games last season, but the real eye-opener is the strikeout rate: 86 Ks in just over 64 innings. That kind of swing-and-miss stuff doesn’t grow on trees, and it’s clear the Guardians see potential in his arm.
Still, Rule 5 picks are always a gamble. Pallette may not be ready for a high-leverage role right out of the gate, and the Guardians aren’t in a position to rush him. But if he can find his footing and harness that strikeout stuff at the major league level, he could evolve into a real asset - maybe even sooner than expected.
With Clase out of the picture, the bullpen is wide open. Cade Smith looks like the guy in the ninth, but the bridge to get there?
That’s still under construction. Herrin and Pallette are both in the mix, but neither has a guaranteed spot - and spring training could be make-or-break for both.
So while the Guardians haven’t made splashy moves this winter, don’t mistake quiet for complacent. There’s a lot happening beneath the surface, and the bullpen battle might just be one of the most important stories to watch as the 2026 season approaches.