CLEVELAND, Ohio — While the spotlight this offseason has largely focused on potential blockbuster trades and offensive upgrades, the Cleveland Guardians may have just made a subtle yet intriguing move that could pay dividends when the games begin to matter. According to El Extrabase, right-hander Pedro Avila has agreed to a non-guaranteed, split contract with Cleveland, a deal that could reunite the club with a pitcher who once stabilized its bullpen during turbulent stretches of the season.
The organization has not officially confirmed the signing, but the framework of the deal suggests a low-risk, high-upside play. Avila would earn a prorated major league salary if he makes the big-league roster, while receiving a predetermined rate if he opens the year in the minors. For a team that thrives on depth, flexibility, and internal competition, this move fits Cleveland’s blueprint perfectly.
Avila’s name is not unfamiliar in Northeast Ohio. During his previous stint with the Guardians, he carved out a valuable role as a multi-inning reliever, logging more than 70 innings in just 50 appearances. At times, he was less a luxury and more a necessity, absorbing innings when starters faltered early and preventing bullpen overuse from spiraling into crisis. Manager Stephen Vogt repeatedly praised Avila’s ability to bridge games, often crediting him with keeping contests within reach.
The 28-year-old right-hander spent the 2025 season overseas, reinventing himself as a starter with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league. In 82 1/3 innings, Avila posted a 7-8 record with a 4.04 ERA, striking out 61 while walking 30. The results were solid, but more importantly, the experience added another layer to his profile — durability, adaptability, and an expanded pitch mix sharpened against international competition.
That overseas seasoning could prove invaluable as Avila returns to Cleveland, especially with a bullpen picture that is increasingly crowded but far from settled. Since December, the Guardians have aggressively stockpiled right-handed arms, adding Shawn Armstrong, Colin Holderman, Connor Brogdon, and Rule 5 pick Peyton Pallette to the 40-man roster. They also signed Codi Heuer to a minor-league deal and extended him a spring training invitation. Competition will be fierce, and Avila will have no guarantees beyond an opportunity.
Still, opportunity is often all Cleveland needs.
Avila’s 2024 campaign with the Guardians remains fresh in the minds of those inside the organization. Acquired in an April trade with San Diego, he emerged as one of Vogt’s most trusted bullpen options. Over 74 2/3 innings, Avila posted a 3.25 ERA, struck out 73 batters, and went 5-1 in decisions. He thrived in unconventional roles, sometimes entering as early as the third or fourth inning and pitching deep enough to hand the ball directly to the late-inning arms.
Despite that success, Avila was surprisingly left off Cleveland’s roster for the 2024 AL Division Series against the Detroit Tigers. The decision raised eyebrows, but it never seemed to fracture his standing within the clubhouse. Avila remained present in the dugout throughout the series, visibly engaged, celebrating big moments and rallying teammates as the Guardians stormed back to win Games 4 and 5.
When the American League Championship Series arrived, Avila got his chance. Added to the roster against the New York Yankees, he delivered four scoreless innings across three appearances, allowing just two walks while striking out three. In a series dominated by pressure and thin margins, Avila did exactly what was asked of him — nothing more, nothing less.
Now, as spring training approaches, the Guardians appear to be betting that version of Avila can resurface. His ability to pitch multiple innings, adapt to different roles, and maintain composure in high-leverage moments gives him a fighting chance to break through a crowded depth chart. Even if he begins the season in the minors, Avila profiles as one of the first call-ups when injuries or workload concerns inevitably arise.
This signing may not generate headlines across the league, but it reflects a familiar Cleveland philosophy: trust arms that have proven they can handle chaos. For a bullpen that will once again be leaned on heavily, bringing back a known innings-eater with postseason experience could prove far more significant than it appears today.
As the Guardians continue to quietly reshape their pitching staff, Pedro Avila’s return serves as a reminder that not all impactful moves come with guarantees — some arrive with opportunity, competition, and a chance to earn everything all over again.
Leave a Reply