The Cleveland Guardians are looking for bullpen help outside of the organization, and a reunion with RHP Phil Maton could make a lot of sense.
During MLB’s GM Meeting last week, Chris Antonetti shared that the Cleveland Guardians could look outside the organization to get more depth in their bullpen.
The Guardians had one of the top reliever cores in baseball last season, but they were also one of the most taxed groups, too. It makes complete sense that Cleveland would want to add another arm to the picture for 2026, especially with the uncertainty around Emmanuel Clase’s future.
The big question remains: who?
Cleveland is always stringent with the contracts it issues. With that in mind, why not bring back someone to the organization they are more than familiar with, and who is coming off a phenomenal season? That pitcher is Phil Maton.
Maton was originally drafted and made his MLB debut with the San Diego Padres, but was traded to Cleveland in 2019. The righty spent the next two seasons with the then-Indians, but was traded to the Houston Astros as part of the Myles Straw deal.
Jul 18, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Phil Maton (88) throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn ImagesMost recently, the 32-year-old has pitched for four teams over the last two seasons and has become somewhat of a journeyman relief arm around baseball. Still, in this role, Maton has remained consistent and effective.
In 2025, the righty recorded a 2.79 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP and logged five saves in 63 games split between the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers. Not only that, but Maton had some incredible swing-and-miss pitches, recording a wiff-rate of 36 percent and a strikeout rate of 32 percent.
At this point, Cade Smith will likely be Cleveland’s closer heading into next season. He was just as effective in that role during the back half of 2025 as he was as the team’s setup man.
That said, Maton could be a valuable arm to bring in the eighth inning, Cleveland’s primary bridge pitcher to the ninth, or be used as the team’s “fireman” (as Stephen Vogt likes to call the role) and come into the middle of whatever inning it may be to help get the Guardians out of a jam.
In terms of one of the already established and effective relief pitchers on the market, Maton might be one of the best ones.
If the Guardians are serious about improving the bullpen through outside accusations, Maton might just be their guy.