### Guardians Strengthen Bullpen with Veteran Shawn Armstrong The Cleveland Guardians have made a significant move to enhance their bullpen by signing veteran right-handed pitcher Shawn Armstrong to a one-year contract worth $5.5 million, which includes a mutual option for 2027. Armstrong, who previously played for the Texas Rangers, had an impressive season in 2025, boasting a 2.31 ERA and nine saves in 71 appearances. This acquisition is seen as a strategic effort to bolster the Guardians' already strong relief corps, providing crucial late-inning stability as they prepare for the 2026 season. Armstrong's ability to hold opponents to a sub-.200 batting average across his pitch mix last season further solidifies his role as a potential "security blanket" for the bullpen [https://www.cleveland.com/guardians/2025/12/can-shawn-armstrong-be-the-security-blanket-the-guardians-bullpen-needs-in-2026.html][https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/shawn-armstong-guardians-contract-e69893]. ### Breakdown of the Guardians' Acquisition of Shawn Armstrong 1. **Contract Details** - The Guardians signed Armstrong to a one-year, $5.5 million deal, with a mutual option for 2027 [https://www.news5cleveland.com/sports/cleveland-guardians/guardians-sign-rhp-shawn-armstrong]. 2. **Performance Metrics** - In the 2025 season, Armstrong recorded: - **2.31 ERA** - **9 saves** in 12 opportunities - **26.1% strikeout rate** and **7% walk rate** over 74 innings [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/shawn_armstrong_inks_one_year_deal_with_guardians/s1_13549_43226549]. 3. **Historical Context** - This marks Armstrong's second stint with the Guardians, having previously been drafted by the team in 2011 and playing from 2015 to 2017 [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/guardians-bring-shawn-armstrong-back-223044858.html]. 4. **Strategic Importance** - The signing comes shortly after the Guardians traded for another pitcher, Justin Bruihl, indicating a focused effort to strengthen their pitching staff ahead of the 2026 season [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/guardians-ink-reliever-strong-season-002148955.html]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **2025 Season Performance**: - **ERA**: 2.31 - **Innings Pitched**: 74 - **Saves**: 9 - **Strikeout Percentage**: 26.1% - **Walk Percentage**: 7% [https://apnews.com/article/guardians-armstrong-b51ce219f75dca3449dd67e43b6c5127]. - **Career Overview**: - Armstrong's career stats include: - **15-11 record** - **17 saves** - **3.82 ERA** over 370 appearances in 11 seasons [https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/mlb/cleveland-guardians/guardians-and-right-hander-shawn-armstrong-agree-to-55-million-1-year-deal-ap-source-says/616-535cc7d7-2371-46f7-bd1d-d48cfebc21a4]. ### Conclusion: Guardians' Strategic Move for 2026 Season In summary, the Cleveland Guardians' signing of Shawn Armstrong is a calculated move aimed at enhancing their bullpen's effectiveness for the upcoming season. The key points include: 1. **Contractual Agreement**: A one-year deal worth $5.5 million with a mutual option for 2027. 2. **Strong Performance**: Armstrong's impressive 2025 season stats, including a 2.31 ERA and nine saves, highlight his capability as a reliable reliever. 3. **Historical Connection**: Armstrong's previous experience with the Guardians adds familiarity to the team dynamics. 4. **Strategic Depth**: This signing, alongside the acquisition of Justin Bruihl, indicates the Guardians' commitment to building a robust pitching staff for 2026. Overall, Armstrong's return to the Guardians is expected to provide the much-needed stability and performance in high-pressure situations, reinforcing the team's competitive edge in the upcoming season [https://nolanwritin.com/rangers-miss-chance-bolster-bullpen-2025-top-reliever-signs-guardians].