Cade Smith made a remarkable entrance with the Cleveland Guardians in 2024, posting a stellar 1.91 ERA and striking out 103 batters over 75.1 innings in his rookie season. His breakout performance played a crucial role in elevating the Guardians’ bullpen to the top of Major League Baseball, ultimately helping the team reach the American League Championship Series (ALCS). When Emmanuel Clase, the team’s star closer, faced allegations that likely ended his career, Smith was unexpectedly promoted to fill the closer role midway through the 2025 season, a role he continues to hold today.
Adjusting to the Pressure of Closing Games
During a recent episode of Foul Territory, Smith discussed with A.J. Pierzynski how he managed the psychological challenge of stepping into the closer position under such difficult circumstances. He emphasized that his strong personal faith has been essential in maintaining his composure through the transition.
“My identity is not in how I perform or what I do. That’s temporary, and it’s going to be taken from me at some point,”
Smith said.
Reconfiguring the Guardians’ Bullpen Dynamics
While the switch from Clase to Smith as closer was relatively smooth, the challenge now lies in stabilizing the setup role that Smith left behind. The performance of key setup pitchers Hunter Gaddis and Tim Herrin, both of whom saw their ERAs double between 2024 and 2025, has been less consistent, creating uncertainty about who will reliably bridge the gap to Smith in closing games.
Given the bullpen’s importance to the team’s overall success, these setup men are under heightened pressure to perform at a high level if the Guardians hope to maintain the exceptional bullpen standards established in recent years.
Significance of Smith’s Role and Future Outlook
Despite losing Clase, the Guardians have managed to sustain their bullpen’s strength largely due to Smith’s steady presence. His consistency and dependability have been crucial in preserving the team’s momentum and preventing a major disruption after Clase’s departure. If Smith continues to perform at the level he displayed during his first two seasons, he stands to establish himself among the league’s elite closers, which would be a significant boon for Cleveland’s postseason ambitions.
Cade Smith credits his faith in keeping him level-headed after being thrown into the closer role.
"My identity is not in how I perform or what I do. That's temporary, and it's going to be taken from me at some point." pic.twitter.com/RZcIhrxNKh
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) February 18, 2026
