An Emmanuel Clase trade?
Why the Guardians could, and should move on from their All-Star closer during this year's trade deadline
The Cleveland Guardians have the potential to control this year’s trade deadline if they decide to make their superstar closer Emmanuel Clase available. While the idea of a team not that far out of contention trading such a big name may seem surprising, it seems as if it is something that the Guardians are at least considering. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported on Sunday that Clase could potentially be moved. The Athletic’s Zack Meisel did not rule out a Clase trade on Wednesday. ESPN’s Jeff Passan linked Clase to the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.
With so many teams within striking distance of a Wild Card position, this year’s deadline is once again shaping up to be a sellers market. Teams like the Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox, Athletics, Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates are clear sellers at this point. But, the Guardians, who recently lost 10 in a row, currently sit just 4 ½ games back of the third American League Wild Card spot after rattling off three straight wins.
While they could decide to stand pat and compete, history would indicate that president of baseball operations Mike Chernoff and general manager Chris Antonetti would take advantage of the current state of the trade market and do everything they can to maximize the current value of their roster and get as much back as possible.
The Guardians, who have found success despite operating on a much smaller budget than some of their peers, are known for moving on from players before they reach free agency and bringing back enough value to remain competitive. This past offseason, despite making it to the ALCS in 2024, they traded All-Star first baseman Josh Naylor, who was approaching the final year of his contract, to the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 2021, Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco were sent to the New York Mets. Following the 2019 season, Cleveland traded two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers (which is how they got Clase in the first place).
It is almost a certainty that 39-year-old first baseman Carlos Santana, who signed a one-year, $12 million deal this offseason, will be dealt to a team with a need at first base like the Seattle Mariners or Milwaukee Brewers or any team that values a veteran switch-hitting bat. Despite dealing with injuries and struggling at the plate this season with a .160 average through 39 games, Lane Thomas, who will also be a free agent this offseason, is also likely to garner significant interest. On the pitching side, contenders could be intrigued by half a season of 32-year-old reliever Jakub Junis, who has been an effective late-inning option for Cleveland.
But, the player that could net the Guardians most significant return by far is of course Clase, who is under contract through the 2028 season. While Clase notoriously struggled to start this season, allowing 10 earned runs (twice as many as the five he allowed all of last season) in 13 ⅓ innings by the end of April, he has had a significant turnaround and has begun to look like the player who came in third in the AL Cy Young voting last season. In Clase’s last 27 innings, he has allowed just four earned runs and has an 8.6 SO/9, higher than the 8.0 SO/9 he had in 2024.
Based on Clase’s apparent return to form and lack of significant changes in his advanced metrics from last season to this season, teams should still value Clase as the best closer in baseball despite his issues earlier in the year. While the Guardians could wait until the offseason to move him, closers have their most value at the trade deadline when contenders are looking to load up their bullpens for a postseason run.
Additionally, the Guardians have one of the deepest bullpens in baseball, including arguably the most effective non-closer in the sport in 26-year-old Cade Smith. Despite Smith’s slight regression from his unreal rookie campaign last season, where he had a 1.91 ERA in 74 appearances, he still has one of the most effective four-seam fastballs in the league and has actually increased his strikeout rate from 12.3 to 14.0. If Clase is moved, Smith should be able to seamlessly slot in as the Guardians’ long-term closer.
The big question is, what could the Guardians expect to get in return for Clase. Looking at the Phillies, Passan hypothesized that their top three prospects per MLB Pipeline, starter Andrew Painter (MLB No. 10, Phillies No. 1), shortstop Aidan Miller (MLB No. 22, Phillies No. 2) and outfielder Justin Crawford (MLB No. 49, Phillies No. 3) could all be available in a potential Clase trade. The Yankees, the other team Passan mentioned, would likely have to begin any offer for Clase with their top prospect, infielder George Lombard Jr. (MLB No. 36, Yankees No. 1), or rookie outfielder Jasson Dominguez.
If the Guardians’ goal is to load up on prospects, then their best bet may be to look in their own division and try and strike a deal with the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers have the best record in baseball, and the only real hole in their roster is not having a true shutdown closer. While Will Vest (15 saves) and Tommy Kahnle (nine saves) have performed admirably, Clase would be a clear improvement and would immediately make the Tigers World Series favorites if they were not already. In terms of prospects, they could dangle shortstop Kevin McGonigle, the No. 7 prospect in baseball or outfielder Max Clark, the No. 12 prospect.
Another option for the Guardians could be to focus on acquiring more Major League-ready talent in order to continue competing for a Wild Card berth this season. If that is the route they want to go, the team that makes the most sense would be the Boston Red Sox. With top prospect Roman Anthony’s promotion, the Red Sox suddenly have four starting-caliber outfielders with Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu, along with Anthony. Duran or Abreu both have multiple years of team control and could be mainstays in the Guardians outfield next to Steven Kwan. Clase and Aroldis Chapman, who was just named an All-Star during his age-37 season, would form the best one-two bullpen punch in the sport for a Red Sox team that has suddenly won seven games in a row.
This is all to say, do not be shocked if Emmanuel Clase is moved, and if he is, that the Guardians could get an incredible haul for the superstar closer.