Although spring training is around the corner, there's nothing wrong with seeing what some former Atlanta Braves are up to this offseason. Some are struggling to find work as the calendar flips to February, while others are landing a fresh contract, including one ex-pitcher.
Former Braves left-handed hurler Kolby Allard has landed a new opportunity, signing a minor league deal with the Cleveland Guardians. It makes sense for Allard to sign a minor league pact with Cleveland after enjoying the best season of his career with the franchise in 2025.
Former Braves LHP Kolby Allard Re-Signs with Guardians
During the 2025 campaign, Allard offered 65 innings over 33 appearances, managing an impressive 2.63 ERA while amassing 42 strikeouts. This was by far Allard's most consistent effort, as he finished each of the previous five seasons with an ERA of 5.00 or worse.
Allard started his career with incredible promise for the Braves. The left-hander didn't offer top velocity, but appeared to have all the needed tools to turn into a viable long-term starter, and his prospect ranking reflected this. The former Brave was ranked as highly as the 24th top prospect by Baseball America.
When things weren't progressing quite as quickly as Atlanta might have hoped, the franchise opted to make a change, sending Allard to the Texas Rangers in exchange for reliever Chris Martin. Allard would flame out in Texas and return to the Braves ahead of the 2023 season, which was a clear mistake. Allard was unable to provide any value, leaving the Braves again at the end of the season after pitching to a 6.57 ERA in four outings.
Allard would spend the 2024 season with the Philadelphia Phillies before turning his career around with the Guardians, which led to his latest contract.
For the Braves, it is easy to pull for Allard's turnaround to continue. He was a well-respected prospect who clearly badly wanted things to work out in Atlanta despite the results. Seeing the reclamation project in Cleveland work out is a great story for Atlanta fans to follow heading into the 2026 season.
While Allard was signed to a minor league option, it appears there is a very real chance the reliever can make the Major League roster coming out of spring training. The Guardians' bullpen is thin at the back end and has at least two potential openings for spring training standouts to claim.
All Allard needs to do is build on the momentum of last season and prove that he is deserving of a roster spot as his career continues to turn around. If he successfully does so, perhaps he'll be in the mix to play when the Guardians visit the Braves at Truist Park for a three-game series in early April.