Guardians’ bullpen workhorse elects free agency over minor league assignment

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Right-hander Pedro Avila, one of the unexpected, but big contributors to the Guardians’ success in 2024, is now a free agent. Avila, 28, was designated for assignment by the Guardians on Jan. 22 when they signed free agent Paul Sewald, another right-handed reliever, to a one-year, $7 million contract with a mutual option worth $10 million for 2026. The Guardians had seven days to trade, release or put Avila on outright or unconditional waivers. After he cleared outright waivers, the Guardians tried to outright him to Triple-A Columbus, but he refused the assignment and became a free agent on Thursday night. Avila was able to refuse the assignment, because he had been outrighted before. The Guardians acquired Avila on April 17 for cash after he had been DFA’d by the Padres. He started in a mop-up role, pitching in one-sided losses or wins, but eventually worked himself into more meaningful appearances. Avila finished the regular season at 5-1 with a 3.25 ERA and his first career save. He proved to be a workhorse for Cleveland’s highly-rated bullpen, pitching 74 2/3 innings in 50 appearances. The Guardians didn’t put him on the roster for the American League Division Series against Detroit, but he did make the ALCS roster against the Yankees. He made three appearances and pitched four scoreless innings in that series. In the regular season, counting his time in San Diego, Avila pitched 82 2/3 innings, ranking fourth among MLB relievers behind Ryan Yarbrough, Derek Law and Luke Weaver. Avila, with the Guardians, struck out 73 and walked 30. The opposition hit .243 against him. The Guardians won the AL Central last year with the help of a bullpen that posted an MLB-leading 2.57 ERA. They have spent this winter dropping auxilary pieces of that bullpen by trading Eli Morgan and Nick Sandlin and parting way with Avila. Scott Barlow, another heavy-duty bullpen contributor, was released late in the regular season. The Guardians made those decisions because they believe they’re dealing from a position of strength. They feel they have young arms ready to fill those empty innings once the regular season starts on March 27.