If Not Cade Smith, Who Closes for Guardians in 2026?

The Cleveland Guardians are staring down a pivotal offseason. Emmanuel Clase’s gambling indictment keeps sending shockwaves through their bullpen plans.

Manager Stephen Vogt hasn’t named Cade Smith the full-time closer for 2026. Even after Smith’s late-season heroics, the bullpen picture feels unsettled.

Vogt and the front office need to balance fatigue for key arms like Smith and Hunter Gaddis. They’re also hunting for offensive upgrades before spring training kicks off.

This update also covers some big American League awards news. Plus, a few former Guardians are facing uncertain futures in free agency.

Cade Smith’s Emergence Amid Turbulence

When Clase got pulled from the roster in July, Cade Smith stepped into the closer’s role without hesitation. He made an immediate impact, helping Cleveland to a wild 25–5 run in his 30 appearances.

Smith posted a 2.79 ERA with 13 saves and 39 strikeouts, walking only two in 29 innings. That’s the kind of stat line you don’t see every day.

The Late-Season Surge

Smith only got better as the season wound down. In the Guardians’ final 15 games, they went 14–1.

Smith picked up eight saves in that stretch and cut his ERA to 2.51. His command and calm under pressure made him look like a natural for those big moments—even if Vogt still won’t call him the closer for 2026.

Vogt’s Approach to the Bullpen

Stephen Vogt says he trusts Smith in any high-leverage situation. He’s just not ready to set bullpen roles in stone with so much up in the air for spring camp.

Hunter Gaddis has become another steady bullpen option, often soaking up big innings over the last two years. That’s given Vogt more flexibility, but also more to think about.

Managing Fatigue and Depth

Both Smith and Gaddis have carried heavy workloads. Vogt and the front office are trying to balance bullpen fatigue with the need for reliable late-game arms.

They’ll need to add some fresh relievers this winter. Otherwise, burnout could become a real problem.

The Clase and Ortiz Fallout

The gambling scandal left a massive hole in the Guardians’ bullpen. Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz now face possible prison time and lifetime bans from baseball.

Vogt says the team is moving forward as if neither player will return. That’s left the back end of the bullpen in a state of flux.

Strategic Adjustments

With those two veterans out, Cleveland has to protect the arms they have and find new ones. Upgrading the offense is another priority, since the bats just didn’t show up enough in 2025.

The front office will probably look at trades or free agency for more run production. They can’t let the bullpen fall apart while they do it.

Elsewhere in the American League

While Cleveland sorts out its own drama, the rest of the league isn’t exactly quiet. Aaron Judge barely edged out Cal Raleigh for AL MVP, adding another trophy to the Yankees’ collection.

Guardians in the MVP Race

Three-time All-Star Jose Ramirez finished third in MVP voting. Even with all the chaos, he keeps playing at an elite level.

His leadership means a lot, especially during tough roster changes.

Former Guardians Facing Uncertainty

A handful of ex-Cleveland players are at a crossroads in free agency. This group includes:

• Josh Naylor – Proven bat with middle-of-the-order upside, looking for a long-term deal.
• Nick Sandlin – Reliable reliever who could help plenty of bullpens with his versatility.

Will these familiar faces find new homes, or maybe end up back at Progressive Field? That’s still up in the air. Their time in Cleveland is sure to shape how the front office builds the next roster.

Final Takeaway

The Guardians’ offseason feels tangled with uncertainty. Cade Smith might step into a permanent closer role, but no one’s betting the house just yet.

Losing Clase and Ortiz stings, and the lineup still needs more punch. Stephen Vogt’s got a steady, careful vibe—he tries to keep the bullpen sharp without burning out the main arms.

The front office scrambles to keep Cleveland in the mix as the American League keeps shifting. If Smith keeps improving and the Guardians can add the right pieces, maybe 2026 won’t look so bleak after all.

Still, every move at the winter meetings seems like it’ll tip the scales for next season. That’s just how it goes sometimes.

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