The Guardians announced the signing of right-hander Colin Holderman to a one-year deal, reports Robert Murray of FanSided. It’s reportedly a $1.5MM salary for the ACES client. The Guards had a 40-man vacancy, so the roster is now full.
Holderman, 30, was non-tendered by the Pirates last month. That wasn’t a terrible shock, as his 2025 season wasn’t great, due to some injuries and struggles when healthy. However, he was actually quite good in the prior two seasons, so the Guards will see if they can find a bounceback.
Over the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Holderman tossed 107 1/3 innings out of the Pittsburgh bullpen. His four-seamer and sinker both averaged above 97 miles per hour, while he also mixed in a cutter and a slider. He allowed 3.52 earned runs per nine frames. His 9.7% walk rate was a tad high but acceptable. His 24.6% strikeout rate and 45.8% ground ball rate were both a bit better than par. He earned two saves and 48 holds, living up to his surname.
But as mentioned, he wasn’t able to keep it going in 2025. He missed about three weeks in April due to a right knee sprain. After being reinstated, right thumb inflammation put him back on the IL for about six weeks. Around those IL stints, he posted a 7.01 ERA in 25 2/3 innings. He walked 12.8% of batters faced while only getting strikeouts at a 14.4% clip.
Holderman had qualified for arbitration a year ago as a Super Two player. The Bucs paid him $1.5MM in 2025. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected Holderman for a modest bump to $1.7MM in 2026. The Pirates decided not to pay that after his poor season, so they non-tendered him and sent him to free agency.
Cleveland’s manager Stephen Vogt recently said that his club would be looking to add depth to the bullpen. Holderman is a low-cost pick-up and he also has options, so he can be kept in Triple-A if he’s not able to get back on track. He added a splitter in 2025, though he only threw it 3.9% of the time in his truncated season. Perhaps some better health will give him some time to flesh that out more. If he is still on the 40-man roster at the end of the season, he could be retained beyond 2026 via arbitration.
Robert Murray of FanSided reported the agreement. Zack Meisel of The Athletic reported the $1.5MM salary. Photo courtesy of James A. Pittman, Imagn Images
Good luck Holderman!
I know it’s still early, but I’m getting Déjà vu already. I’m feeling like it’s gonna be business as usual in CLE with these sporadic signings that usually elicit the reaction, “Who?” from the fan base.
What did you expect, they are a cheap team with a greedy billionaire owner.
At least Cleveland still wins, imagine having an embarrassingly cheap team that never spends yet still perpetually stinks like the Pirates.
I almost feel like it’s worse to be good and cheap. At least there’s a reason why the Pirates lose but it’s a slap on the face to see teams like the Guardians and Rays be just as cheap with their success.
Easy then! Go root for the Pirates! You’ll be happier! Or better yet, become a fan of the Angels or Rockies or Marlins or Reds or any number of teams which will perpetually lose the “right” way rather than win the “wrong” way like Cleveland does.
Hoo-boy…and people wonder why players and owners ignore fans.
@Pirates1987
There’s nothing worse than being incompetent. I won’t comment on Pittsburgh’s financials because I don’t know them, but I know that Cleveland is neither cheap nor run by a billionaire. Cleveland has never cut corners in areas that are most critical to low-revenue teams like organizational development, instruction, front office staff, Dominican academies, cutting edge analytics, etc. Fixed costs like these are the same across baseball, what’s not the same is how much is left over after that to waste on free agents (which is generally a sucker bet). Cleveland has long been aggressive in extending younger players to create budget certainty. The organization is smart in what’s required to provide consistent competitiveness; that some people think that’s code for “mediocrity” only demonstrates their lack of perspective.
Good luck to Pirate fans, great ballpark and wonderful history that should be better honored and respected by the current ownership. I think the front office is improving. The most important thing for owners to do is hire good people and leaving them alone.
Rays got new owners in september. And the guardians will get new owner late next november a week before thinkgiving at 2026 owners meeting. David blitzer will be taking over majority ownership from dolan family trust. Blitzer is worth 3.6 billion by forbes magazine.
It’s all well and good that we want to cite how much an owner is worth, but it’s irrelevant unless he’s so poor he can’t cover temporary operational costs not covered by baseball revenue.
Baseball team budgets are covered by a baseball team’s recurring revenue, just like all businesses. Thinking David Blitzer’s largess is going to change the way Cleveland’s baseball club funded is delusional. However, in light of the team’s overall success, the specter of new ownership is real risk to the winning organizational culture that currently exists. Beware what you wish for, Cleveland fans. Remember, you desperately wanted Lerner gone and you got Haslam. How’s that working out for you?
Your points regarding operating revenue are spot-on. It’s why teams like the Yankees and Dodgers are able to spend big year after year, and why the majority of teams like the Guardians and Rays and Pirates don’t. Until MLB owners realize that this is a significant mess that can only be resolved with total revenue sharing and a salary cap, like the NFL, this distasteful reality will needlessly go on and on. However, I must take issue with your comments about Jimmy Haslam and the Browns. While the Browns have had extended periods of notable and significant losing during Haslam’s ownership, Haslam can never be accused of not trying to improve the Browns. He’s attempted changing management and coaches, he’s tried upgrading its analytics department, he’s tried keeping management unchanged, and more. His most significant imposition in the operation of the team, the acquisition of Deshawn Watson, is a significant failure that will continue to affect the operation and achievements of the team for years, but at least he’s trying his best to succeed. Randy Lerner never really wanted to be the Browns’ principal owner and put forth a perfunctory effort, at best, to improve the team. His sale to Haslam was notably quick and unexpected, as if he couldn’t wait to unload the team. Haslam is far from perfect, but I’ll take a guy who’s trying to win over one who isn’t anytime.
I’m sorry, Haslam is a goon, and cares less about the Browns’ traditions and fans than he did the long-haul truckers he ripped off for years. Jimmy is the most successful “long con” in sports history, as the Steelers sponsored him for ownership of the Browns after his “apprenticeship” there. Boy, did the Rooney family stick it to us again.
I’m glad you appreciate the Haslams for “trying” but it’s only because of his immense ego that the does so, it’s not for you or me. And now he’s building a Jimmy Johnson-style monument to excess in the ‘burbs, complete with personal seat licenses that will go for the cost of an Audi, all so that Cleveland, in the region where professional football started, will become the *only” AFC North team of wussies playing inside. It’s sickening really, and no, Deshaun Watson wasn’t “trying,” it was gross negligence and incompetence and how anyone can congratulate Haslam for effort I’ll never know.
One thing that damn sure won’t ever work in Cleveland is “trying” the way you recommend in baseball. Given the tepid interest of most Cleveland baseball “fans,” just a fraction of the awful moves Haslam makes would cause interest in the team to completely crater. This town won’t even support a .500 team, how long do you think the baseball team would survive protracted downturns like the Rockies or Marlins or Pirates? I’ll tell you how: Haslam would move the team to Nashville faster than Modell went to Baltimore. And yet, fans like you would say, “At least he tried!”
It’s always going to be “business as usual” with the Guardians. They need offense but won’t go get any from the outside. They need pitching but will nickel and dime any rotation or bullpen additions. They won’t spend on big players but will bring in a handful of minor league deals hoping a few stick
Dont comment on something you know nothing about. About 95 percent of starting pitching is drafted and devloped by the farm system goof! And how many times since 2013 have they been in the playoffs ? They are in top 5 of winning teams the last decade in the major leagues. Sorry you comprend that goofball !
The AL Central is mostly MLB’s equivalent to the AFC South in the NFL; no dominant teams with everyone scratching and clawing to be just enough over .500 to win the division.
I’m aware Cleveland developes much of their starting pitching as is evident by the fact that Ben Lively was the first free agent starting they have signed since Scott Kazmir
not a Cleveland fan, but I also say “who?”
And that’s why Cleveland finishes ahead of teams like the Royals 99% of the time, figuring out the who the next “oh yeah, I’ve heard of that guy, he’s good” will be not chasing and overpaying the guys you’ve already heard of.
Ring the bell! Like clockwork, the Royals overpay for a guy their fans have heard of! Come on down, Lane Thomas! (If your plantar-fascitis addled feet will allow you to!)
@Never Remember
I don’t think Dolan would be a billionaire at all if he didn’t own the team.
It’s doubtful they will be even after they sell. Not shedding any tears for them (I dislike their politics intensely) but their debt load, obligations to minority partners, and payback to the Dolan Family Trust will likely leave them short of being in the billionaire class. Equity holdings don’t make you insanely wealthy until you sell. The Dolans are quite likely the poorest owners (from a financial perspective) in all of MLB. Which makes their excellence as operators even more impressive.
You’ve been trying to sell the same old poor old Dolan rhetoric for years based on one article by one irrelevant writer. A writer who can be disproven by dozens of articles in legitimate business mags like Forbes. Dolan IS a billionaire (not to be confused with his richer cousin) and is by far not the poorest owner in the league. Give his front office hires credit for being the best in the league which were hired by him. It’s his money and it’s his right to do with it what pleases but please don’t excuse his cheapness because of lack of resources. He has plenty
@waittilnextyear
You’re the one parading around one lazy piece of discredited “journalism” by Forbes…you’re the only one who believes the head of a moderately successful Cleveland law firm can generate an estate worth a billion dollars. Hilarious. The family had to scrounge around for every nickel they could borrow to even buy the Indians. The tenacity with which you cling to untruths would be disgraceful if they weren’t uttered by such a bitter, whiny, pathetic fan.
Unbelievable. What if I told you I had definitive knowledge of Dolans wealth. I suppose that wouldn’t work for you either. You are so misinformed that it is pathetic
Col_chestbridge, you and Never Remember are both wrong. Dolan is nothing except in a coffin. Bro died. But, when he was stealing air from the rest of us, yeah, he was cheap. Dolan wouldn’t have been a billionaire if he wasn’t so cheap on his MLB payroll. Fixed it for you…
Who is that guy? Was the only reason I came to this article
I just always assume every pitcher that signs with Cleveland becomes an absolute monster.
Best name for a Cleveland relief pitcher since Josh Outman
If only Sean Penn took up relief pitching.
Payton Battenfield had a great name for a position player but unfortunately he was a depth starter/long relief guy for them
Ah yes! The Mets traded him straight up for Dan Vogelslug.
Holderman was solid for the Pirates in ’23-24, bad season this past year but look at how well Bednar pitched after leaving the Pirates
Bednar did not improve after he left the Pirates. He was a perfect 17 for 17 in save opportunities for the Pirates in 2025. He blew 3 saves for the Yankees in just 2 months. His other numbers were pretty similar between the 2 teams. I won’t argue he was worse for the Yankees than the Pirates, but he wan’t any better either.
W-don’t you just love it when other team’s fans think that they know everything about every team’s players?
FBI tracking this signing closely to see if Holderman also succombs to gambling and they uncover a Pittsburgh to Cleveland gambling ring. Stay tuned.
People make fun of these signings, but this is under the radar good. He was obviously hurt last year so at that price; he is worth a shot if he can replicate his old numbers. Not to mention, Cleveland has a way with pitchers. Also, as the article said, he is a depth option if he isn’t back on track.
Very possible he’s a good change-of-scenery candidate. I liked him for a time when he was in Pittsburgh. Seems like a good guy too. Wish the best for him.
He initially was a pretty good set up man for Bednar and had a few save opportunities, as well
But whether injury or something else, he really fell off the past couple seasons. Had this propensity to either get behind and put runners on in close games or couldn’t staff off of Main Street with his pitches.
Hope he turns it around for Cleveland
Guarded-Holderman pitched well for the Pirates in 2023 and half of 2024 but never think that he can close.
He started going downhill when the Pirates needed him to do so when Bednar was being overworked.
He is the perfect example of why not every decent reliever can close.
The Man of a 1000 Holds!
My family has interacted with Holderman several times over the past seasons. He is a world-class guy who was always generous with his time. We made a meme T-shirt (for my youngest son) that said “Immaculate inning? Holderman my beer” with his picture on it – he loved it.
Wish him nothing but the best, and hope he regains his form in Cleveland.
Nice pickup by Cleveland. He was hurt last year but anyone who has watched him knows there’s real big league talent there. Best of luck to him
Cleveland excels in finding random guys and squeezing the juice if any is left. They have added four random guys. Maybe combined they equal a juice sippy box.
Cubs signed two Colins in the last two days.
Holderman was excellent for 2 years. Then the bottom fell out. Either by injury or mechanics. If its mechanical, I hope Cleveland can straighten him out. Hell knows why the inept pirate management couldn’t.
He was not excellent in 2024. He was excellent pre-allstar break in 2024 (1.77 ERA). He was awful after the break (6.32 ERA, o-5 record, 2 blown saves in his only 2 opportunities). Those of us who watched him over the past 3 years don’t view 2025 as a fluke bad year. He’s been awful for a full year and a half now.
Wish him the best. A guy with his stuff should be more effective than he was last year. Even when he was at his best, however, he never seemed to be able to nail down a save. Holds, no problem. Put him into the 9th with a lead and he would go to pieces.
Not sure what you’re referring to, OBF. It was rare when he was called upon to nail down a save here. He was mostly the set up guy but you’re right, he had a hard time getting things to the 9th over the past year and a held or so. He was doing pretty well for a while
Now they need a closer named Saverman.
Another off-season of pure excitement, and I have to tell ya that these signings will definitely put the Indians err Guardians into the World Series. I really am proud of the Coaching staff and the players but this is just doing the same this over and over again expecting different results by the front office…..
Frankly, I don’t want “different results”…I want to continue to win.
If the organization listened to fans like you, they’d be the White Sox or Angels or Marlins or Rockies or any number of teams who consistently suck.
This team miraculously punches above its weight year after year after year, only to hear derision from folks like you. You’d be the first one walking out the door and calling them stupid if they made some sort of big splash that didn’t work out. Please don’t tell me you’d still support them if they “tried” but ended up in last place. No one can depend on fans like you, which is why they made the smart decision to be consistently competitive, which is the only way to be successful in the Cleveland market. You can’t appreciate that, go root for the Yankees or Dodgers, somebody you think is worthy of your admiration.
I mean yea they punch above their weight class and then get spanked in the playoffs becuase year after year they have no hitting. I understand what you’re getting at, but I for one wouldn’t crucify them if they signed Alonso to that deal Baltimore gave them.
I’ve split my life between Cleveland and Dallas… Look what happend to the rangers a few years ago when they won the WS…how did they do that – they spent money. Granted they haven’t been back since, but I’d rather get a championship every 5-6 years, vs being good enough to enter playoffs but KNOW you’ll never be good enough to win it all.
What team has lost two World Series in extra innings in Game 7? What team had a 3-1 lead in the ALCS with Game 5 at home, with the Colorado Rockies waiting as the NL Champs but blew it? What team had the Yankees down 2-0 in the ALDS with the best team in the AL but kicked it all away? What team had the Yankees down 2-1 in the ALDS with game 4 in Cleveland but had rain save the Yankee rotation? These were just a few of the many close calls CLE has had in the last 30 years, none of them having anything to do with “weak hitting” just the luck of the bouncing ball. People with simplistic takes on things in a sport like baseball kill me.
The year the Rangers won the World Series was much more complex than having a monster lineup. A mediocre Cleveland team swept Texas in a three-game series in early September and the Rangers were left for dead heading back to Dallas. It was the out-of-nowhere resurrection of their dreadful bullpen and the utter collapse by the Mariners that allowed the Rangers to even sneak into the playoffs, not their hitting. They could have more easily missed the playoffs as make it, and even then they had to get insanely hot in the postseason to win it all. The odds were incredibly stacked against them to prevail in that manner, much more than the five or six or seven Cleveland teams with far better odds that didn’t win.
But you’re telling me Cleveland needs to place big bets like the Rangers did and HOPE they win, then crater like the Rangers have afterwards whether they win or not. Sorry, not buying it. There’s no team that can buy a championship every 5-6 years this side of Los Angeles. The Yankees have been trying to buy a title for 16 years, the Blue Jays for well over 30 years, the Angels for 23 years, the Mets and Tigers for over 40 years, and the Mariners have never succeeded in doing it. So please, no lectures on how spending money on big contracts guarantees anything. The Rangers got damn lucky for one year and has little if anything to show for it since. If you think that’s a good tradeoff, fine, ask the Marlins fans if their two rings brought them any sustained success and respect in the league. Or ask Royals fans or White Sox fans if one world’s championship and decade upon decade of sucking before and afterwards warms their hearts on a cold winter night.
Gimme winning summer evenings and bites at the apple year after year and let the postseason chips fall where they may. But I admit fandom varies. Just don’t try and tell me teams can “will” themselves to championships just by doing what the Rangers did. It’s an insanely poor blueprint and the disgruntled Rangers fans I constantly hear from prove it.