The Cleveland Guardians went on a bit of a run following the All-Star break. They went 17-8 before a three-game set with the Braves, which saw Cleveland get within a game of the final American League Wild Card spot. However, the Guardians were swept by the Braves, and scored just five total runs in three games.
They now sit three games behind the New York Yankees in the playoff picture, and their division rival, the Kansas City Royals, also has the same record as the Guardians.
After not making many moves at the 2025 trade deadline, Cleveland elected to hold onto players like Steven Kwan and others. However, this offseason might be different in terms of how active the organization is in the trade market.
Guardians Predicted to Trade Emmanuel Clase
The trade rumors swirled loudly for Kwan to be dealt before July 31st, but when he hasn’t, it has just caused more speculation on what the Cleveland Guardians will do with their roster.
Clase is currently on non-paid leave for suspicion in a gambling probe, so he has not pitched in three weeks. If the investigation clears the way, the Guardians could trade Clase this offseason.
Bleacher Report named Clase as a top seven star to be traded this offseason:
“Without question, the gambling investigation for which Emmanuel Clase is on administrative leave through at least the end of August is a colossal factor in his trade potential. But let’s play a little game of “innocent until proven guilty” and assume he’ll be back on Sept. 1 and ready to play out the remainder of his contract. Well, before the suspension news hit, Clase’s name was quite popular on the speculative trade block.
“He has been the best closer in baseball over the past half-decade, and those $10M club options two and three years from now would be no problem whatsoever for the majority of MLB franchises. But that amount of coin for a closer? On Cleveland’s budget? He’s probably more valuable to them as a trade chip.”
Why Would Other MLB Clubs Want Him?
It’s pretty simple. Clase has been one of the best closers in baseball since he broke into the league. Again, speculating that he is innocent, the Guardians may still want to move off him sometime this Winter, and this offseason would be the time to secure as much of a return as possible, considering his under team control through the 2028 season.
His team-friendly contract, worth just $8.8 million AAV, drives much of the trade speculation. In five seasons with Cleveland, Clase is a three-time All-Star (2022-2024), leading MLB in saves in the previous three seasons. His stats with the Guardians are absolutely remarkable. In 336.2 innings, Clase has a 1.84 ERA, 328 strikeouts, and 181 saves.
Especially considering how teams are paying other âhigh-leverageâ relievers like Tanner Scott and Jeff Hoffman. Both Scott and Hoffman have underperformed this season, which only makes Clase’s value even higher, and is a great chance for Cleveland to get a massive haul of either prospects or MLB-ready players.
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