The Guardians are open to offers on All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase and willing to trade him for the right offer, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports. Even if the club is merely performing its due diligence, it’s a fairly surprising development, given the overwhelmingly club-friendly contract to which the 25-year-old (26 in March) righty is signed.
Early in the 2022 season, Cleveland inked Clase to a five-year, $20MM contract extension that included affordable $10MM club options for the 2027-28 seasons (each with a $2MM buyout). He’s entering the third season of that deal, slated to earn $2.5MM this coming season, $4.5MM the following year and $6MM in 2026.
It’s worth pointing out that Clase is well on his way to boosting the value of both those club options. The contract allows him to increase the value of each by another $3MM based on appearances, innings pitched and awards in the first five years of the deal. Clase has already secured a $500K bump for both options by winning the Mariano Rivera Reliever of the Year Award in 2022. He’ll earn $500K bumps on both options for reaching 200 innings or games pitched (he’s at 145 innings and 152 games presently) and see another $500K tacked onto each option upon reaching 250 innings or games pitched. If he reaches 300 innings or games pitched over the life of the deal, he’ll boost the value of each option by another $1MM. In all, the options can top out at a still-very-reasonable $13MM apiece, and Clase would take home another $1MM assignment bonus if traded.
Even if Clase maxes out all of those remaining escalators, he can be controlled for up to five more seasons at a maximum of $40MM. That’s a bargain rate for a flamethrowing righty who has been one of the top relievers in the American League throughout much of his tenure in Cleveland.
That said, there are some red flags that merit mention. Clase hasn’t lost much life on his signature cutter, which still averaged better than 99 mph in 2023, but he posted a career-low 21.2% swinging-strike rate and saw his walk rate (5.3%), ground-ball rate (55%), swinging-strike rate (13.3%), opponents’ chase rate (35.1%), average exit velocity (88.4 mph) and hard-hit rate (37.6%) all trend in the wrong direction over his 2022 levels. Granted, most of those numbers are still excellent, but Clase’s 3.22 ERA doesn’t look nearly as dominant as the combined 1.33 he posted in 2021-22 — and he blew more saves (12) in 2023 than he did in his entire career prior to this season (9).
While it’s never good to see any pitcher begin to trend in the wrong direction, the 2023 version of Clase was still excellent — and the price tag on his contract is still well shy of what he’d earn if he were on the open market at present. Bullpen help is always in demand, but trading a reliever of this caliber with five years of affordable contractual control remaining is virtually unprecedented.
The Phillies traded five years of Ken Giles to the Astros back in 2015, though Giles was a pre-arbitration player with 115 career innings under his belt to that point; Clase is more established. The Mariners traded four years of Edwin Diaz to the Mets but did so largely as a means of shedding the remainder of Robinson Cano’s contract. Both trade packages netted former top-six overall draft picks (Mark Appel, Jarred Kelenic) in addition, plus at least one other top prospect/young big leaguer of note (Vince Velasquez, Justin Dunn) and other near-MLB pitchers. None of those names from those trade returns have gone onto MLB stardom, but at the time of those swaps they were highly touted young talents. Clase could arguably command an even larger haul, potentially netting the Guardians multiple top-100 prospects and/or young MLB-ready players.
It should of course be emphasized that Clase is far from a sure thing to move. Because of the massive amount of remaining control on his contract and his eminently affordable salary — even for a low-payroll club like the Guardians — the Cleveland front office might simply opt to hold onto him. The Guards project for a $94MM payroll in 2024, per Roster Resource, which is only a $5MM jump from last year’s Opening Day mark and about $40MM shy of their franchise-record mark of $134MM.
There’s no financial urgency to deal Clase, especially since that $94MM mark figures to drop if Cleveland ultimately moves Shane Bieber — a far likelier trade candidate given his projected $12.2MM salary (via MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz) and his status as a free agent at the end of the 2024 campaign. Cleveland has previously traded Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Trevor Bauer and Mike Clevinger all before those players reached the open market, and if they continue that pattern, Bieber will be on the move between now and Opening Day. The Cubs and Reds are among the teams with interest, although the 2020 AL Cy Young winner has surely commanded a broader array of inquiries than just those two teams.
Whose the cheaper team, Rays or Indians?
It’s not money motivated. Take a look at Clase’s salary. It’s either a BS report or they believe they’ll get a haul for Clase now.
Not the question I asked…
Ok so it’s the Rays because they’re not money him because of money?
@Tom the ray fan
Absurd questions don’t require, much less deserve, direct answers.
well the Indians don’t exist so I will say Rays. But the A’s are the envy of both organizations.
Royals
New money infusion from Guardians minority owner is fueling the Soto rumors
Clase headed out west along with Josh Naylor and Myles Straw plus prospects in exchange for Cronenworth and Soto
If I were Cleveland, I wouldn’t even trade Clase straight up for Soto. That is a ridiculous offer to propose.
You are absolutely dreaming Oil Can. Cleveland will never trade for one year of Soto.
…..and definitely not for $33M. Anyone who follows the Guardians knows they wouldn’t even pay $20M for THE best prime year of Babe Ruth’s career.
Poor example, but yes.
That’s a gross trade offer. And Crownenworth has extremely negative value
Jed Hoyer and Craig Counsell on line 1. Cubs have the package to get Bieber and Claase. Talk to you at the Winter Meetings.
The difference is the Rays make ‘cheap’ work.
The Rays are the model of operating like this, but you’re ignoring what the Guardians have done for the last decade if you really think it’s just the Rays that do it successfully.
Yeah. Cleveland has been extremely successful operating on a budget. They’ve had arguably the most successful pitching development program in the MLB.
They continue to pump out quality starters every single season. Most teams would have a rotation that looked like Colorado’s after all the starters they’ve dealt. They haven’t needed to sign a free agent starting pitcher in well over a decade.
@Michael Chaney
I am second to no one in admiring what the Rays have accomplished. They are, as you said, a model for how to make smart spending work. But you’re also correct to point out that anyone who thinks Cleveland isn’t another example of an adroit organization–albeit not quite up to Tampa’s level of distinction–hasn’t paid attention at all.
The Pirates
Clase and the Biebs to STL. Get it done, Mo.
I’m thinking San Diego is a better destination! Go AJ.
St Louis needs to trade for him and Bieber.
I would cry tears of joy
It wouldn’t be cheap. Start the package with O’Neil/Carlson, top 5 prospect. They may want Edman or Donovan. Throw in Liberatore.
I wouldn’t trade Winn or Hence.
Package would be Walker hence and Winn+ for those two. You still interested ?
A little early for drinking.
I propose a different trade: 1 yr of oft-injured O’Neill plus Jordan Walker (he of the -0.1 WAR) and Graceffo for Beiber, gold glove CFer Myles Straw, 2022 rookie sensation RFer Oscar Gonzalez and solid reliever Eli Morgan.
Ha, neither Bieber or Clase is good enough to warrant trading Walker. There’s isn’t a single team in the league that would trade a number one prospect for an underperforming ex top of the rotation pitcher and a reliever.
Clase is a closer and dang good one. There is a big difference. He has tremendous value and is going to demand a haul. Just look at what Hader recieved for 1 year with a big salary attached
I agree, Walker is a G, but StL literally has nothing else to offer. They could get O’Neil or Carlson for a PTBNL based on their performance and cardinals would jump all over that !
Winn hence and Donovan – barely move the meter.
This is the worst offer I’ve ever heard. “Hey Cleveland, here is a bucket of mediocrity and injury” Can I have the AL saves leader the last two seasons.
That’s insane. No way it takes that much.
O”Neil has no value. Kinzler is a free agent. The Cardinals non tendered him. Cleveland is not going to trade Clase for spare parts.
I am begging Cardinals fans to stop claiming that O’Neill and Carlson have significant trade value. We’re rapidly approaching how Yankees fans overvalued guys like Florial and Refsnyder.
O’Neill and Carlson both have pretty limited value. They’d be interesting change of scenery options and there’s still some talent there, but neither of them have hit consistently for a while and neither one of them is going to be the centerpiece of a big trade.
Yep. O’Neill is a decent ancillary piece for Cleveland in a Clase deal but that’s going to have to include a Tink Hence + also.
I say St Louis offers Cleveland
O’Neil or Carlson, Donovan, top 5 prospect and Liberatore gets it done.
Donovan will not be included in any trade. Trust me on this
Edman?
They can get an equal or better return for Bieber alone. Hence or Roby would absolutely be on the return for Bieber. I don’t envision STL trading for both as CLE will want a hefty return.
You are offering Cleveland your failed players. Liberators is a failure. O’Neill is an often injured rental with documented problems with management. Carlson in 2022 and 2023 was little better than a 4th outfielder and your farm system is not very good. Why can’t everybody suggest a trade that is actually fair?
Mikey 48, Cleveland would laugh hysterically, say no, hang up, block the number, and report the call as spam.. Cardinal spare parts are not going to get a top closer on a great long term deal.
Every Cardinal fan wants to trade Carlson, O’Neill annd Liberatore and the reason is they are not very good. The Yankees version of andujar and Frazier
That’s how you rebuild if you don’t spend money.
They would have made the playoff if three starters didn’t get injured which exhausted the bullpen.
Had nothing to do with being last in home runs and 26th in runs scored per game?
Most of us think it had to do with 34 blown saves. But, yeah offense scored more, less high leverage situations.
I’d be stunned if they signed any free agents this winter. They still need at least one corner OF/DH who can drive in runs consistently and bats right. Between Bieber and Clase they should be able to get two. Include Straw in one of the deals, move Kwan to CF, and FINALLY get a LF and RF who are capable offensively.
You’d be ruining Kwan’s value by moving him to CF. Not gonna happen. You don’t like Kwan as your LF? Then you may as well trade him.
I can see their logic. If they can get multiple top 100 prospects, Cleveland would be foolish not to at least consider it, given the frugal operating structure they employ.
Friedman get on the phone
It’s the smart move. Someone is going to pay them what they want, and I’d assume a team with deep pockets so they can put their money at other positions. Class and Bieber may just be enough to get the Indians back on track and over .500 in a division they can easily win with just a few key moves.
kjerstad and Horvath get it done?
no
No, not even close. Propise a fair trade, please, like Bieber for Santander and Tyler Wells
I hate being a fan of this team
Then move on. Many of us enjoy rooting for one of the top franchises in the American League. Go root for the Yankees if “cash spent” is the way you read the standings.
Phillies need to look into this.
Go get him DD!!
Indians seem to have no problem developing starting pitching. Trade from strength when the market favors you. Giddy up!
CC: jhoyer@cubs.com
Why isn’t there a mention of who would potentially be the new closer?
Barlow
You mean they acquired Barlow as a possible backup in case they move Clase? who could have predicted that.
Speaking of Ken Giles, is he a healthy FA this year? Wouldn’t mind seeing the Phillies bring him in on a minor league deal. Not enough talk about their need for a high leverage RH RP or Closer. Seranthony was shaky at times last year and they cannot simply rely on Jeff Hoffman to repeat his performance from 2023. Kerkering is a nice piece but still young and unproven.
Would a package of Darrick Hall, Rodolfo Castro, Griff McGarry & McKinley Moore be enough to pry Clase from the Guardians? Hall is a power bat, Castro versatile switch hitting infielder and 2 young power arms.
that package isn’t equal to the headliner it would require, let alone the whole package
Propose a fair trade
I think a Clase deal would have to start with Painter or Abel. It’s a lot, but they could move one of them because they have a little depth.
If you hold onto Painter then I think you’d be looking at Abel, Aiden Miller, and Kerkering plus a secondary piece. The Guardians need upper level hitting and most of the Phillies’ better prospects are pitchers, so I don’t know how they’d match up though.
Go get him mo
Of course they are.
They’ll be “open” to moving Jose Ramirez within a couple years too. The NTC rarely matters once a team no longer wants a player and there’s a chance to win elsewhere.
They can get a good return on Bieber alone. I think Clase will return MLB ready talent and a few decent prospects. Why retain 1 player if you can spin them into multiple players with control? Cleveland may be uber fiscally responsible, but the business model has worked well for them.
These idiots just turned 3 yrs of control of De Los Santos and 2 yrs of Quantrill for 1 yr of Barlow. They are idiots
I’m still scratching my head with Quantrill.. especially after seeing contracts for some free agent starting pitchers this year.
Not only were the Guardians not interested in him – but 28 other teams could have had him for a song but declined. It almost makes me think that there is some bigger injury issue going on with Quant.
I THINK you are incorrect. In the DFA system Colorado was one of the first to be able to place a claim. Their claim likely wins and so Cleveland just took whatever Colorado would give BEFORE he went on waivers knowing they would lose him for 50 K if they didn’t. Plus, in a true conspiracy thinking, if you send him to the team where he has absolutely the worst chance of success, you have a very low likelihood of being shown up as the idiots you are.
Since the start of 2013, Cleveland has the fourth best winning percentage in MLB behind only the Dodgers, Yankees, and Astros. They did that on a small market budget. If they are “idiots” then there are very few smart people.
Agreed. But a lot of that was Francona. Look ar all their transactions since trading Clevinger. Only 2, Fry for Mejia and Manzardo for Civale look fair. They lost on the rest of them, IMO. So, since Clevinger. they are idiots and, worse, their unexplainable recent moves make them look like they think they are smarter than anyone else in baseball.
I blame the school system.
Elias on line 1!
Good idea. Guy is starting to look more vulnerable and hittable. Not paying a closer $5M per year to be hittable and not over 5 years. Time to trade him and get top value for him. They’ll regret it if they don’t.
2019:
xFIP: 3.42
kwERA: 3.49
GBkwERA: 2.64
2021:
xFIP: 2.6
kwERA: 2.91
GBkwERA: 1.76
2022:
xFIP: 2.18
kwERA: 2.43
GBkwERA: 1.68
2023:
xFIP: 3.45
kwERA: 3.49
GBkwERA: 2.98
———————–
Here’s a trade idea:
Guardians get:
Ryan Pepiot
Cody Bradford
Justin Fascue
Brock Porter
Josue De Paula
Rangers get:
Emmanuel Clase
Myles Straw
Landon Knack
Dodgers get:
Brayan Rocchio
Leody Taveras
Cleveland has plenty of infield depth and would need a right-handed power bat for right field and always some MLB ready starting pitching. Their MLB pitching depth is lacking. Your package does not have that outfield piece that Cleveland would need.
@hockeyjohn
Well, it does include Josue De Paula that plays all of the outfield. Plus, potential to spin off some of these guys in a trade for another OF piece. Your thought process is one-dimensional.
DePaula is not the type of bat your trade Clase for. The right-handed mlb OF bat is the biggest need. that Cleveland has. That is the first piece that you get. Cleveland needs to get what they need or they keep Clase. It is that simple. They don’t have to stoop to take the extra tradable pieces from the other teams.
As I explained above, Clase isn’t getting any better. I think he’s on the decline and it makes sense to get what you can for him. If DePaula isn’t the guy, I hope the team can find someone for Clase.
One dimensional, maybe. Realistic, absolutely. Teams seldom trade for players they can “spin off”.
Old York – Emmanuel Clase is just 25 years old. Your comment is just ridiculous..
Again, propose something fair, not just borderline prospects. And Cleveland gives up their #1 prospect, too? Really? The lack of respect fans show to the other team is just laughable, just like this trade proposal. How about Bobby Miller, Emmett Sheehan, James Outman & Michael Busch for Clase, Bieber and Myles Straw?
@CIPERSPECTIVE
What’s not fair about the trade. Baseball Trade Value suggests it’s fair value. Plus, I think, as I pointed out above, that fans are overvaluing Clase. I’d support trading him before he turns into BP fodder.
Old York, Just because BTV calls it fair does not mean it is a good trade. Any trade of Clase will be to fill needs not collect more of the same.
@hockeyjohn
Okay, good luck holding onto a declining RP.
Old York,
Clase declining? He has proved you very wrong.
@hockeyjohn
Actually, I’ve been proven correct.
His FRA sits at 3.43 so far this year so he’s overperforming his ERA significantly and we should see some regression soon. His metrics are showing he’s getting worse and I suggested trading him soon before they’re left getting nothing back.
Yeah right!
The Dodgers get completely hosed on that one!!
Thanks Cleveland! – Josh Hader
This is who the reds should go after. Give up some of your prospects and get a top tier relief arm under team control. Imagine him and Diaz as a 1-2 punch in the 8th and 9th. Been saying it all offseason they need to get the best bullpen money can buy. Develop your starters you have and have a long relief arm.
With their young pitching, they should have a solid 1-2-3 and maybe even 4 on the backend, so I agree. Clase would be nice in the 8th.
Any Clase trade will take both MLB players in a position of need and prospects, not just prospects. And the trade package would have to be overwhelming..
Really hope SD trades for him to replace Hader, so they can Stay Clase, San Diego.
You cant have an “excellent” 2023 and blow 12 saves. A closer w a save rate below 80% didnt have an excellent season. Not saying he cant bounce back to excellence, but no need to try to make down years better than they actually were.
Ezekiel Duran package for Clase.
If this is true it is yet another example of this FO thinking they are smarter than everyone else in baseball which has led to disaster because, frankly, they aren’t that smart.
12 blown saves is a lot, that’s a ton of lost games potentially. I wouldn’t make him the closer on my team, more of a closer by committee…
if he goes back to normal then he can be very lethal
He’s not super expensive so he’s definitely worth looking into for a large market team.
Clase and Bieber for Jackson Holliday and a low level big arm?
Not enough, but I like your direction and this is a good starting point.
Trade fans rejoice, this means the Jerry Dybzinski trade tree could live on! It has far surpassed the lesser known Bobby Bonds trade tree which ultimately netted the Indians Omar Vizquel.
Cardinals trade for Bieber and Clase Challenge: Impossible
The Phillies pen would be phenomenal with this guy in it, but Guardians don’t really need to trade him right now.
Seems like Clase is the kind of player the Guardians need to keep unless another club blows them away with an offer. Signed at well below market value for the next three years, followed by two reasonable club options. The contract the Guardians may need to get out from under is Andres Gimenez, who will start to get relatively expensive (in Guardian terms) after 2024.
12 blown saves leading to 9 losses on the stat sheet for Clase must have the Guardians concerned.
In recent months we’ve seen them trade/cut Aaron Civale, Cal Quantrill and Zach Plesac and Shane Bieber is probably out the door next. Thats a lot of starting pitching depth to jettison away. Even with a very team friendly deal don’t be surprised if Clase is on the move
Clase will only be on the move if the Guardians are overwhelmed by the offer that would provide MLB ready help and prospects.
Yes, overwhelmed meaning any team willing to take Clase’s salary off Cleveland’s hands. WAY too expensive for Dolan and no tv deal.
Clase is owed $2.9M for 2024. Spare me with the salary worries. He is very affordable. Very tired narrative,
Tell your lie to Cal Quantrill.
Comparing Cal Quantrill to a controllable star closer making half the salary tells me all that I need to know about your baseball knowledge.
The boring ad hominem attack demonstrates that you lost the argument. NEXT!
Windowpane, a legend in his own mind,
Stay Clase, San Diego.
” it’s a fairly surprising development”
===============================
It shouldn’t be. I mentioned that this was happening as soon as the Guardians acquired Barlow. And I wasn’t alone in that assessment.
Not only is it not surprising, I think it was almost a guarantee.
clase and straw is cleveland trade package. … swing away !
Clase is one of the prime examples of you never know how a trade is going to turn out even when it is conceived to be one sided. At the time everyone thought the Rangers fleeced the Indians by getting Kluber for Clase and Deshields. Kluber ended up throwing one inning for the Rangers while Clase turned into a top 3 reliever in Major League Baseball.
Those who concerned about Clase is silly. Yes the blown saves are there but he was put in very unnormal circumstances because of no offense we had. He was pitching in games in which he shouldn’t have been. Their is more context than just the numbers. The only thing I would say is a concern as an opposing team is with his stuff (which is easy some of best stuff in baseball and could be tops as far as relievers) is he is not a true strikeout pitcher. His strikeout numbers should be higher since he has a devastating cutter and very good slider when on and how hard he throws. As a “guards fan, we should trade him, though. Time to bring back some offense and relievers can be had on minor league deals and a closer can be made from who they have
I’d love to see Beiber to the Twins. We desperately need a number 2 starter to pair with Lopez in our rotation. Not sure if the Guardians would trade within the division though
I’ll take Polanco and your C
Cleveland wants to trade away their good players in an attempt to make their team worse and more boring. Sun rise, sun set.
De Los Santos has pitched multiple years in the majors. He’s not a prospect lol
Another salary dump on the horizon. Buh-bye Clase!
What would Camilo Doval bring in return? Similar to Clase I believe? Closer is the most overrated and overpaid position on a roster
@GSWfanklay
Closer is the most overrated and overpaid position on a roster? Say that to any fan of a team that continuously loses games by blows late-inning leads. They won’t agree with you. Marlins 2021 and 2022 records would have been significantly different if they had someone to hold leads in the last couple of innings.
I”m skeptical that this rumor is true. Cleveland doesn’t usually signal future trades in the media and unless they feel Clase has hurt his arm I don’t see them giving up an affordable pitcher. Relievers tend to be very “up and down” from year to year and maybe they feel Clase’s difficulties last year were a signal that he is on the way down. He also has pitched a LOT of innings in the last three years. Maybe they think he has a tired arm.
Maybe I’m wrong, but I think he will be in Cleveland at the beginning of the new season.
Also, anyone who thinks the Cleveland front office doesn’t know exactly what they are doing is projecting their own inequities.
You must not be from Cleveland
Since 2013, Cleveland has the 4th best winning percentage in MLB behind the Dodgers, Yankees, and Astros all big market teams. Obviously, Oil Can has little clue about baseball.
OIC –
Ohio born and raised. Haven’t lived there in years but a passionate follower of the Guardians.
I’ve enjoyed the Franconia years tremendously and have high hopes for the Vogt years. There is reason to be hopeful.
With Clase available, the Marlins need to be all over this trade discussion.
Cleveland has no clase if they give up on him
There were many Bob Wickman flashbacks last year with Clase. Get a whole truckload for him before he fades away.
He is only 25 years old. He is far from fading away.
He shouldn’t be fading away, but closers are volatile. I think Clase really struggled with the pitch clock. He was part of the reason Manfraud wanted the pitch clock (I joke) cause he used to take ages between pitches. However, I don’t think he’s really figured out how to pitch. He just throws that high mph cutter and slider. Never really gets people off balance. He relies more on making bats miss, which they didn’t do a lot of last year.
I can see the Guardians double dipping the Rangers here…
They probably want to trade him before he needs TJ surgery.