Guardians Should Consider Signing Low-Risk, High-Reward Pitcher

The Cleveland Guardians came into the offseason with the clear objective of rebuilding the bullpen and providing depth to the position group. Overall, the front office has done just that, but they could still bring in one more project pitcher. 

That said, the Guardians should seriously consider signing RHP Michael Kopech to a short-term prove-it deal. Even if Cleveland feels comfortable with their reliever depth, it could always add more. Plus, a partnership between Kopech and the Guardians could end up being a win-win for both sides.  

Kopech had a largely injury-filled 2025 season, so it’s a little tough to determine exactly where his talent level is. In 14 appearances a year ago, he registered a 2.54 ERA and a 1.72 WHIP. 

The 29-year-old probably hoped that this offseason would be his opportunity to cash in on a big payday, but now he will likely need to rebuild his value before doing so.

With the Guardians, Kopech would likely be a mid-to-high-leverage role, with Cleveland already having other backend relievers such as Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis, and Shawn Armstrong on the roster.

However, if Kopech can get back to being the pitcher he was in 2024, when he registered a 3.46 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and a strike rate of 31.5 percent, with his time split between the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers, there were certainly be a place for his in the eighth inning, and possibly even in the ninth inning at times.

Cleveland could be the perfect place for Kopech to rebuild some of his value before possibly hitting the free agent market again last winter.

The Guardians should also feel confident they can get the most out of Kopech if he does opt to sign with Cleveland. 

For one, Kopech was still throwing the ball extremely hard, with an average fastball velocity sitting at 97.5 mph. What Cleveland will really be tasked with doing is helping the right-handed pitcher find his command again after registering a walk rate of 24.5 percent a year ago.

Considering that in the last two seasons, Kopech has ranked in the 86th and 81st percentiles in arm extension, a metric the Guardians organization has targeted in recent acquisitions, they should be up for the challenge. 

There is also precedent for the Guardians going after a pitcher in a similar position to Kopech. Last offseason, the Guardians paid Shane Bieber and John Means a combined $11 million to rehab with the organization; neither of them pitched in a big-league game with Cleveland during the 2025 season.

If the Guardians feel they have a spot for one more arm in their bullpen, adding Kopech could be one of the best low-risk, high-reward moves of any organization this winter.