The Guardians introduced that they’ve signed left-hander Kolby Allard to a minor league deal. The Excel Sports activities Administration consumer additionally receives an invitation to huge league spring coaching and can be in camp as a non-roster invitee.
Allard, 27, has appeared previously seven main league seasons. He has spent most of that point as a swingman/depth starter, which was the case final yr as properly. He signed a one-year, $1MM cope with the Phillies, with the membership continuously shuttling him between the majors and Triple-A. He made 4 begins and three reduction appearances for the massive league membership, logging 27 innings. He allowed 15 earned runs for a flat ERA of 5.00.
The Phils may have retained Allard by way of arbitration, with MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projecting a modest increase to a $1.1MM wage. However the Phils outrighted him off the roster as a substitute, maybe as a result of the truth that Allard exhausted his ultimate possibility yr in 2024. He elected free company after being outrighted, which allowed him to signal this cope with Cleveland. Together with his stint with the Phils, Allard has now thrown 272 huge league innings in his profession. He has a 5.99 ERA, 18.9% strikeout fee, 7.7% stroll fee and 38.3% floor ball fee.
The Guardians had the very best bullpen in baseball final yr however their rotation was uncharacteristically weak. They at present mission to enter 2025 with a beginning combine together with Tanner Bibee, Ben Energetic, Gavin Williams, Luis Ortiz, Triston McKenzie and Slade Cecconi.
Bibee is a robust possibility however there are query marks with the remainder. Energetic posted a 3.81 ERA final yr however with a tepid 18.7% strikeout fee. Cecconi, Ortiz and McKenzie have proven good flashes at instances however with inconsistent outcomes general. Williams battled accidents in 2024 and had a 4.86 ERA over the 16 begins he was capable of make. They’ll ultimately have Shane Bieber within the combine, although he’ll certainly begin the season on the injured record after present process Tommy John surgical procedure in April.
Given the uncertainty in that group, including some non-roster depth is a smart add. As talked about, Allard is now out of choices, that means he’ll have a troublesome time hanging onto a roster spot if he will get one, however there’s a potential path again to the majors with the dearth of absolutely established starters at present penciled in.
