Billy HeyenWed, November 26, 2025 at 7:28 PM UTC·2 min readGuardians may sign 3 pitcher free agents from Yankees, Dodgers, Giants originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cleveland Guardians have done a great job with their pitchers for many years now.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhether in the draft or through acquisition from other teams, the Guardians have an ability to get the best out of their arms.
That sets them up to pursue a wide variety of players in free agency each offseason.
This time around, MLB.com's Tim Stebbins has identified three recently non-tendered players as free agents the Guardians could look to sign.
MORE: LeBron passes Michael in a stat that means nothing in the GOAT debate
The first is Mark Leiter Jr., a free agent from the Yankees.
"The Guardians will need to add some bullpen help this winter after Jakob Junis, Kolby Allard and Nic Enright became free agents," Stebbins writes. "Leiter has been solid the past four seasons, recording a 4.15 ERA over 223 appearances between the Cubs and Yankees. He’s unique as a right-hander who has been more effective in his career against lefties (.680 OPS) than righties (.823)."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe next is a free agent from the Dodgers, Evan Phillips.
"Given Emmanuel Clase’s situation, it would make sense if the Guardians explored adding high-leverage relief help alongside Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis and Erik Sabrowski," Stebbins writes. "Phillips underwent Tommy John surgery in June, but he was a force in the Dodgers’ bullpen over parts of five seasons, averaging 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings while recording 45 saves."
MORE: Shedeur Sanders given Barack Obama-level praise by NBA champion
The third? San Francisco Giants free agent and lefty Joey Lucchesi.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"Lucchesi transitioned to the bullpen in 2025, and he was steady for San Francisco," Stebbins writes. "He generated a lot of weak contact (88.0 mph average exit velocity) and recorded a career-best ground-ball rate (54.2 percent). Lefties hit just .219 with a .598 OPS against him. Given Lucchesi's history as a starter, he could fit the Allard mold as a lefty out of the bullpen who’s capable of giving length."
The cool thing about what the Guardians have done with pitchers in recent years is that it doesn't have to be these guys. These are just a few of the options.
They could go after any number of names and probably maximize them.
But it's always worth watching who Cleveland signs, because it often means good things are coming.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMore news:
Elijah Moore release epitomizes Bills' problem with Josh Allen WR plan
Olympic sensation Quincy Wilson commits to a Big Ten school
Tom Brady's son Jack is incredibly tall
Caitlin Clark might be the reason Steph Curry left Under Armour
Shedeur Sanders makes Browns history as he begins to write a story all his own
Travis Kelce showed off his style with a $526,000 watch
