REPORT: Guardians Sign Free Agent Pitcher Ryan Yarbrough

The Cleveland Guardians came within a few games of reaching the World Series last season, which has intensified the focus on their offseason decisions.

Despite being so close to the championship, the team has had a relatively low-key offseason and still faces pressure to make key improvements to take the next step. With spring training approaching, there’s growing encouragement for the Guardians to sign a free-agent pitcher.

In a recent Bleacher Report article, Joel Reuter highlighted one realistic free-agent target for each MLB team. He suggested the Guardians consider signing left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough.

Reuter explained, “The Guardians relied on Alex Cobb and Matthew Boyd to start postseason games last year. While they’ve added Luis L. Ortiz and will eventually have a healthy Shane Bieber, adding more rotation depth is a smart move. Yarbrough, a proven swingman, could serve as a bulk reliever and step into the rotation if needed.”

Last season, Yarbrough split 44 appearances between the Dodgers and Blue Jays, posting one of his best seasons with a 3.19 ERA over 98.2 innings. At 33 years old, he’s likely an affordable, short-term option—an ideal fit for a budget-conscious contender like the Guardians.

While adding Yarbrough wouldn’t address a pressing need, it would bolster the rotation depth, especially with uncertainty surrounding Shane Bieber. Bieber, who re-signed on a two-year deal, is recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Though fans may be hoping for a bigger move, it’s becoming evident that a blockbuster signing isn’t on the horizon. Yarbrough, however, would be a valuable addition to the Guardians’ strong pitching staff.