Cade Smith Wins Cleveland Man of the Year
The Cleveland chapter of the BBWAA named Guardians closer Cade Smith its 2026 Bob Feller Man of the Year and starter Parker Messick its Good Guy Award winner.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Baseball
The Cleveland chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America announced its annual award winners on Sunday, naming Guardians closer Cade Smith the Bob Feller Man of the Year and starter Parker Messick the Frank Gibbons/Steve Olin Good Guy Award winner. Smith is a first-time recipient of the Man of the Year Award.
Why it matters
The awards recognize Smith's on-field contributions in the 2026 season and Messick's respect, reliability, and accommodation with the media. Both honors come from the Cleveland chapter's annual selection process.
Smith converted 41 of 46 save chances in 2026, posting a 1.95 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 107 strikeouts across 74 innings in 69 appearances. The BBWAA's inaugural AL Reliever of the Year winner has not been announced.
The players
Cade Smith
Guardians closer who converted 41 of 46 save opportunities in 2026 and is a finalist for the BBWAA's inaugural AL Reliever of the Year Award.
Parker Messick
Guardians starter in his first full big league season, recognized for his respect, reliability, and accommodation with the media.
Baseball Writers' Association of America
The national organization of baseball writers whose Cleveland chapter presents the annual Man of the Year and Good Guy awards.
The details
Smith earned his first All-Star selection in July 2026 after taking over as Guardians closer late in the 2025 season. Messick, 26, was nominated for the Good Guy Award alongside Steven Kwan, Gavin Williams, and Austin Hedges, while Smith competed for Man of the Year against Williams, Chase DeLauter, and Kwan.
Timeline
2025 season: Smith took over as Guardians closer late in the season.
July 2026: Smith earned his first All-Star selection.
Sunday, November 8, 2026: Cleveland BBWAA announced its award winners.
Monday, November 9, 2026: AL Rookie of the Year winner to be announced on MLB Network.
Season Trajectory
The Bob Feller Man of the Year Award dates to 1946, and the Cleveland chapter has presented it annually since then. Smith's selection extends that long-running recognition of Guardians players into the bullpen.
Smith's 107 strikeouts and 41 converted saves make him a notable reliever option for fantasy managers heading into the offseason. Fans following the Guardians can track his All-Star-caliber workload as the team plans its 2027 bullpen.
The takeaway
Smith's rise from late-season closer to Man of the Year shows how quickly a bullpen role can become a defining season. Messick's recognition underscores that reliability and media accessibility count alongside statistics in how the chapter evaluates players.
What happens next
The AL Rookie of the Year Award winner will be announced Monday on MLB Network, and the AL Reliever of the Year and AL Cy Young Award winners will be announced Wednesday on MLB Network.
Further reading
For more Guardians coverage, see Cleveland Baseball on Wisevoter.
