CLEVELAND, Ohio — The closer situation for the Guardians heading into 2026 was a hot topic on the latest Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, with Paul Hoynes and Joe Noga dissecting manager Stephen Vogt’s cryptic but telling comments about reliever Cade Smith.

Following Emmanuel Clase’s mid-season administrative leave, Smith stepped up to become Cleveland’s de facto closer, converting 16 of 22 save opportunities while posting a 2.93 ERA. His performance down the stretch has positioned him as the favorite to retain the role next season.

“Cade logically has to be the favorite,” Hoynes explained on the podcast. “He moved into the closer’s role after Clase was put on paid leave on July 28th... But I think you’ve got a closer that is just coming into his own in Cade Smith. And if it ain’t broke,

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