Cost Efficiency : Guardians Signs New Star Free Agent ,$11 million per year
On Friday night, the Toronto Blue Jays made headlines by signing top-tier reliever Jeff Hoffman to a three-year, $33 million contract.
It’s widely known that elite relief pitching comes with a hefty price tag, as a strong bullpen is crucial for any team aiming for a World Series title.
So, what does this have to do with the Cleveland Guardians? Not much in terms of Hoffman, but it highlights something important about the Guardians.
The Guardians have one of the best bullpens in baseball, arguably the top one in the league.
We mention Hoffman’s contract because it serves as a benchmark that underscores the Guardians’ impressive ability to develop elite talent affordably.
“To put this into perspective… Hoffman is set to earn $11 million per year as Toronto’s closer. Meanwhile, the Guardians’ bullpen quartet of Clase, Smith, Gaddis, and Herrin will combine for just $6.9 million in 2025,” posted Guardians Prospective on X.
Yes, the Guardians’ four top relievers—each among the best in the league—will collectively earn less than Jeff Hoffman in 2025.
This includes Clase, who has been one of the most dominant relievers in MLB over the past few years.
As the Guardians’ all-time saves leader, Clase is set to make just $4.9 million this season, which is a remarkably team-friendly deal. In fact, many front offices are baffled at how Cleveland managed to secure such a contract for him.
The answer lies in the Guardians’ faith in Clase and their willingness to invest valuable resources in one of baseball’s most unpredictable and fragile positions: relief pitching.
The other three relievers also came up through the Guardians’ outstanding pitching development system and are all earning close to the league minimum.
Smith was the only one of the four to be a highly-rated relief prospect. Gaddis, once considered a failed starter, and Herrin, a late-round draft pick, have both thrived thanks to Cleveland’s elite player development.
