The Guardians are listening to offers on their relievers, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. That includes a willingness to discuss their star back-end duo of Emmanuel Clase and Cade Smith, Heyman adds, though he unsurprisingly notes that the asking price is high enough that a trade of either pitcher remains a long shot.
Teams are generally willing to field offers on almost every player. That’s particularly true for small-market clubs that are constantly trying to balance the short term and the future. It’s only sensible the Guards would hear other teams out on Clase and Smith. Teams are willing to pay a premium for relievers at the deadline. That’d be all the more true for late-game arms who are cheaply controllable for multiple seasons.
Clase is playing on a $4.5MM salary and will make $6MM next year. Cleveland has a pair of club options covering the 2027-28 seasons. Those respectively came with $10MM base salaries, though Clase has since escalated their value to $11.5MM annually by twice winning the American League Reliever of the Year award and by surpassing 200 appearances over the past three-plus seasons. He’d also receive a $1MM assignment bonus if he’s traded.
That’s well below market value for a pitcher of Clase’s caliber. He’s a much better pitcher than Tanner Scott, who signed for four years and a little over $60MM in net present value as last winter’s top free agent reliever. Clase is controllable for his age 27-30 seasons. There’s a chance he’d get into nine figures if he were a free agent.
Clase was MLB’s best reliever in 2024. He surrendered just five earned runs in 74 1/3 innings and went 47-50 in save opportunities. He had an ugly postseason performance but that came in a total of eight innings. Clase is putting together another excellent regular season this year. He has fired 44 innings of 2.86 ERA ball while going 21-25 in save chances. His 23.4% strikeout rate is essentially league average, but he has never been a huge strikeout artist. Clase excels with plus command and movement on his 99 MPH cutter, which hitters very rarely square up.
[Related: Cleveland Guardians Deadline Outlook]
Smith, 26, had a breakout rookie season to emerge as Cleveland’s top setup man. He turned in a 1.91 ERA with a near-36% strikeout rate through 75 1/3 innings a year ago. Smith’s ERA has backed up to a less impressive (though still strong) 3.07 mark across 41 frames this season. He’s striking out 35% of opponents behind a gaudy 15.1% swinging strike rate. The 6’5″ righty has a 96 MPH heater and a plus splitter. Smith is still a season and a half from reaching arbitration and is under club control for four and a half seasons.
There’s virtually no chance the Guardians would trade both relievers. If they were to move Clase, it’d be largely driven by the belief that Smith would be an elite closer in his own right. It’s even tougher to see them pulling the trigger on a Smith deal when he’ll play for barely above the league minimum for the next year and a half. The Guardians have a few lower-profile relievers (e.g. Hunter Gaddis, Erik Sabrowski) who could also draw some attention. They’d certainly listen on veteran righty and impending free agent Paul Sewald, but he just landed on the injured list with a shoulder strain that could keep him out beyond the deadline.
An openness to discussing Clase and Smith doesn’t signify that Cleveland is a guaranteed seller. They’re 4.5 games back of the American League’s last Wild Card spot. They have one of the easiest second-half schedules of any team, including four series against clubs with losing records (A’s, Orioles, Royals and Rockies) up to the deadline. There’s a path to getting back in the race and hoping that an excellent back of the bullpen can return them to the ALCS and beyond.
Phillies should offer Aiden Miller, Mick Abel and couple other lower level prospects for either of them or add in Tait to get them both.
Yes. They should.
Seeing that Dave Dombrowski is the President of Baseball Operations he loves to trade for stars and doesn’t care about the farm system. In his eyes these guys are established and the guys on the farm may or may not develop into stars.
I don’t think it’s he does not care about the farm system but that the goal is for the major league team to win the World Series. Major league team wins championship over triple A team championship
Action-
You must not have been paying attention the last few years. He’s done the complet opposite of what you’re suggesting. He’s gone out of his way to keep prospects in the Phillies system.
Action, you have to build a farm system in order to be able to trade from it to get the team into the playoffs. Dombrowski can build farm systems with the best of them. He just sees those prospects on the farm as trade capital, not necessarily the end product.
Fun fact: with all the prospects dombrowski traded so far only 4 have accumulated more than 5 career war and all of them have been used to acquire Miguel Cabrera and Chris sale.
The 4 prospects are Moncada, Cameron maybin, Andrew Miller and Michael kopech. Certainly good players but they also got him two superstars in their prime (well before 30).
That is a pretty good track record, it gave him bad farm system grades but apart from those two monster trades didn’t cost him many great players. I would not rule out that one day a trade will backfire but he mostly has traded the right guys.
Logan O Hoppe?
So far he is a 2.6. But he could be good
@domino111 are you just making that stat up? Dombrowski traded Willy Adames and he has well over 5 career WAR. I’m sure there are others too.
I asked chatgtp:)
D.D. sees the windows closing on Harper, Schwarber, Wheeler, et al. The World Series run is now or never. I expect him to open the stable down on the farm and load up now.
BTW, that ends up in a Championship….but if Boston is the precedent, it also ends up with him getting fired LOL
You close the window by emptying the farm. Thankfully the Phils understand this.
@Von – I freely admit that, circumstantially, I am something of a prospect hugger. The Phils need to have a few of their prospects make an impact so that they can keep the window open indefinitely as they transform over time.
I also have issues with overpaying for the least reliable position group on the field – bullpen arms. Sure – Clase looks really good but I am far more inclined to give up premier prospects that fit our own positions of need if we get a controlled young player back that at least covers one of our lineup holes going forward (seeing as how we are in far better shape on the rotation front for now). Both Abel and Miller…no. Although it would not surprise me if DD said yes.
IMO as a non-Phillies fan but a prospect hound & hugger myself, the only prospect that should be considered untouchable during a championship hunt is Painter. Phillies window is closing.. time to cash in every chip except the elite upside Painter. Would be a lot of fun to see them pick up both of them and just go for it.
Clase is 27 with a career ERA of 1.82 with a WHIP of 0.93 and 179 career saves. He has been very reliable.
Clase has been very good, but there are two schools of thought when it comes to past is prologue pertaining to relief pitchers (no matter how good). Yours is that his specific past almost guarantees a tremendous future.
The reality of relievers, even elite ones, in general is that the majority of them end up with health issues and real levels of inconsistency over time. There are exceptions for sure and GM’s are forced to make those bets year in and year out, but it does not make them comfortable bets for any front office.
If I am going to pay big for something, I would prefer it to be a brand with better guarantees after I open the package.
That’s two Phillies fans that seemed to miss that Cleveland is unlikely to trade both, but dream away.
Unlikely…Until the right package comes around.
Did you miss the first paragraph of this post?
Painter has regressed the last two months. He’s not ready to contribute to a post season team in ‘25.
Knowing that and realizing that it’s also Schwarber and Realmuto’s walk years, I’d trade every prospect other than Crawford.
Miller and Tait may well be stars by 2030. But this year is the last hurrah for this group of Phillies. So, yes, push most of your chips in the middle of the table and go for it now.
Clase has been great but I think it also depends on how much credit you give clase for his ability to suppress outcome on balls in play. Certainly weak contact on his cutter plays a big role but still his 24% career k rate and 19% k-bb aren’t terrible but not elite either plus it helped that Cleveland usually was an elite defense team.
I don’t think he will be bad with a new team but with all the balls in play he allows a weaker defensive team might ask themselves whether he can replicate that success.
Maybe cade Smith with his 28% k-bb is the more valuable prospect.
And the one’s who think us Phillies fans seemed to miss the line that Cleveland is unlikely to trade both. Is forgetting this is the Phillies team that Middleton “spend stupid money” who wants to “get his *bleeping* trophy back” is the owner.
Carver – analysis paralysis….there’s really nothing to suggest that Clase may suddenly become inconsistent. Besides, hes in the prime of his career and under contract with a low salary.
If you love your prospects, dont you want him closing out Painters games next season?
Clase to Dodgers for Josue dePaula and Zyhir Hope.
Who says no?
The Dodgers. Hope is going to be special.
Think i would avoid trading Aiden Miller. He’s almost 5 years younger than the average AA player, Bats RH and plays a premium position. He’s more than held his own at SS and would be an excellent 3B too. Crawford is the other , as we haven’t had a legitimate CF in years, plus he’d be an ideal 26th man for the Post Season run with his speed and defense. I’d be more interested in Duran, Jax & Bader from the Twins. Maybe a package of Abel, Escobar, Kemp and a couple more top 10 pitching prospects like Cabrera & McFarlane would be enough.
Dont want miller. Plays for ready and cant hit in that mickey mouse ball park. If clase gets traded it will be for a haul. Not this philly garbage. Oh by the way where is guardians minority owner david blitzer? Forbes has his value at 3.6 billion and hasnt spend a damn dime on the team. At least when john sherman was minority owner of the indians he spent ! David blitzer is a damn joke ! Invest or sell your shares ! He did spend some money the week on a pro volleyball team in austin texas. What league is that in david ?
“Phillies Garbage?” Painter, Crawford, Miller, Tait, Abel.
Strange comment.
See title why Cleveland has sustainable success the last 20 years as a small market club.
I suggested Miller and Abel for Clase on a different thread a few days ago and someone said the Phillies would break their phone after hanging up.
Seems like it’s not a bad suggestion after all lol
Miller is struggling in AA. How does this help the 2025 or 2026 Guardians? Crawford fits more of the needs of the Guardians.
That would not even get them to pick up the phone.
Did you read the article, Never Remember, or just the headline? There is no chance that they would trade both. If they were to move Clase to the Phillies, the package would likely start with Justin Crawford as Cleveland would be looking for MLB Ready help and CF is a need for them.
Fanbases like to pitch offers convenient for them w/o thinking from sellers perspective what is acceptable. Crawford is a near ready headliner to help a Clev orgztn that doesn’t rebuild as price for a top tier closer.
Clase and Bautista aren’t going to be landed by teams that play the everyone you want is untouchable amateur game. Clev wants lineup help n Balt is desperate for starter solutions.
I think it wouldn’t make any sense to trade both of them since then Cleveland won’t have any dominant bullpen guys anymore
Cleveland is trying to make the playoffs next year right?
Us Phillies fans would be more than willing to trade Romano for Clase if Cleveland really wants to have a dominant bullpen arm. LOL
Crawford is not a power hitter and isnt that good. Like said earlier philly garbage. Plus the cleveland front office has soured on crawford.
I always love the posters who call baseball players garbage. I would love to know about your accomplishments in life.
I’m not one myself. But if their profession is a trash man, then they would know what is garbage.
A package that starts with Justin Crawford weakens the Phillies for now and the next five years. No need to trade for an outfielder. Just DFA Kepler and promote Crawford and watch the Phils offense heat up!!!
It’s a Jon Heyman report. The last time he was in Cleveland was when Andre “Thunder” Thornton was the first baseman, so take it with a grain of salt.
@Never – My guess is Cleveland would want an OF (Crawford) rather than another INF (Miller). They need outfielder even more so when Lane Thomas leaves.
Miller is a substantially better prospect than Crawford. I doubt the Guards would mind getting a shortstop instead of a limited ceiling, defensively suspect CF.
Outfield is a huge need for the Guardians. A trade like this must fill a need and not add to a stockpile. Cleveland already has two top 50 middle infield prospects. They will also look for MLB ready offensive help, not a package of all prospects.
Any shortstop prospect can play a league average corner outfield *as a floor.* Most are viable CFs or would be +10 defenders in a corner.
And you can always trade one later if you’d rather they remain on the dirt.
Ask Amed Rosario how poor of an outfield he was.
You had to dig down to an overhyped always-was-probably-a-2B disappointment to find one counter example?
You stated any SS prospect, and I provided you with an example where you were wrong. I am sure that I can find others. Rosario was one obvious one that I was forced to live through.
Duran Maybe????
They’ve had a bad outfield ever since Grady Sizemore left. Kwan is solid but they’ve had nothing but one year wonders and bums for so many years. Just can’t figure it out.
It’s kind of amazing that as there are 3X as many outfielders as any other position player, Cleveland seems content to trot out the Oscar Mercados and Myles Straws year-after-year.
Yeah and they try to get guys like Lane Thomas, Noel, and Nolan Jones and they regress near instantly.
Lane Thomas is not very good. He has zero impact on any future roster considerations.
Does Crawford and Abel get it done?
That seems like a very strong return that should get it done. Crawford would fit a huge need and I bet they would love to add Abel to the mix especially with their history of pitching development.
That’s enough for clase but not enough for both of them
Agreed.
Yeah for Clase, definitely not enough for both. They would get more value in two separate deals with multiple teams in all likelihood.
Hell no ! What garbage, you must think cleveland front office is that stupid !
They need right hand bats. They are weak against left handed pitchers.
Big no !!!
If the Rangers gave Ragans for Chapman, and Roby, Saggese, and King for Montgomery, then the Phillies should give Abel and Crawford for Clase. Clase can mean the difference between winning a World Championship vs not advancing past the first postseason round. Giving up top prospects is difficult, but sometimes, as with the Rangers, that is what it takes to get a team to a World Series and a World Championship.
Clase, Kwan to Dodgers for Wrobleski, Casparius, DePaula and another starter prospect.
Let’s not move De Paula.. the kid is special and will be up in a couple years as our starting LF
Then you aren’t getting either Kwan or Clase. The made up “rumor” that came out of ESPNLA was total BS.
Now, if you offered DePaula, Daulton and Kim we would listen – not that I think that will happen. The upshot is that you can fantasize about other teams’ players if you want, but the reality is you aren’t getting All Star level players for two pitchers who can’t stay on your major league team and a handful of marginal prospects. The guardians don’t have to trade either of these guys and they won’t unless they get blown away. If the trade doesn’t hurt, you aren’t getting Kwan or Clase.
And Cleveland isn’t getting those three, either. Dream on.
@Hank, So let me get this straight…
You think in that hypothetical trade, the Dodgers are the team that would say no?
If the guardians ask for that package they are accepting before the phone is hung up
@norcal,
Likewise, a team in the playoff hunt is not subtracting from their core, creating a hole, to add players to fill a hole.
“we would listen”
LOL
when did you join the front office?
So a 2 time closer of the year and a leadoff .300 hitting gold glove 2 time Allstar wouldn’t get it done for 3 unproven major league prospects. If I’m the Guardians I hang up the phone
So… Lets not trade for what the Major League team needs now, because our best prospects are untouchables.
Or you could have two and a half years of Kwan as your starting left fielder right now instead of hoping he pans out lmao
No, it would not. It is not enough and does not meet the needs of the Guardians. The reason for trading Clase is to get controllable MLB ready bats to help their anemic offense. In your proposal, you are taking more offense away and adding none.
Cleveland would likely insist on Andy Pages as part of the trade return which the Dodgers will turn down. Whether Cleveland would settle on a return of Rushing, DePaula or Hope, plus would be a better question? .
Rushing, DePaula, and Hope is way too much for a relief pitcher, even with Kwan thrown in. The Dodgers are already loaded with guys who can close, despite some of them having injuries and bouts of ineffectiveness this year
If you reread my comment, i stated Rushing, DePaula OR Hope plus might get the Guardians to the table.
Cleveland would know better than to ask for a starting player from a contending teams lineup. Bench guys, if young and controllable, possibly. They want cheap, likely minor leaguers. Most sell off trades are for players most on this site never heard of.
Cleveland is not selling off. Why would they sell off when they have Jose Ramirez in his prime? I would be surprised to see Kwan traded at the deadline. Cade Smith will not be traded at all, period. Clase will only go if they can get an MLB bat that will improve the now. If not, Clase stays
I honestly don’t see Cleveland in a major trade. They won’t take all prospects and contenders will not trade MLB ready pieces. That type of trade is more likely to happen during the off-season..
Ramirez will be 33 in September. His prime is past. I don’t see Cleveland being a major contender for years.
I guess that you haven’t watched Ramirez play this season and last. Cleveland already is a young team with a strong farm system ready to supply help. You are very wrong about the Guardians.
We will see. A great year doesnt mean his prime years arent behind him.
Cleveland missed the playoffs 2 of the last 4 years, and are average this year. No, I dont see a bright future there and dont think I’ll be wrong but we’ll see.
Clase and Kwan to the Padres for Salas, Bateman, Fountain and Nett.
Cleveland is not trading anyone for an all prospect package. That is not happening.
Your not getting both. Just get that crazy idea out of head now !
Pages, Rushing and Sheehan would prolly be a more realistic offer. After all, Clase and Kwan are both All-Stars with at least a couple years of control left….
I think Rushing is up as a showcase because Feduccia is more of the back-up catcher type. I would think think CLE wants him in a package with a Wrobleski or Casperius type.
Cleveland would have to think that Rushing can handle the position defensively. at their needed level. They are very picky with the catcher position. It still would take more than Rushing and one of the mediocre pitchers to get both players. .
Rushing has done well defensively. His bat is decent, and will certainly get better.
Name the last trade the Dodgers made for a valuable asset that the other team didn’t get burned..
Max Scherzer/Trea Turner
Mookie Betts
Yu Darvish
Manny Machado
They won all of those trades easily. The worst would probably be giving up Ryan Pepiot for Tyler Glasnow. The biggest issue with that deal was jumping the gun on an extension when they could afford to see if he could make 20 starts or more for only his second time before extending him.
Sellers beware, you’ll be taking the pieces they don’t think are going to be big hits otherwise they’d keep them.
What about invaluable assets?
Oneil Cruz for a relief pitcher.
Yordan for a relief pitcher.
Two bad starters and an OF prospect. Would maybe get Clase?? Kwan, hell no.
Clase has demonstrated he is not a playoff pitcher.
Based off of one, tiny sample? Go look at the stats from his other postseason.
Clase pitched 6 scoreless innings in the 2022 playoffs. He struggled in 2024 after having a historic season finishing with a 0.61 ERA.
There’s no such thing as a “playoff pitcher.”
Clase for Devin Williams!
I hope you were joking.
Clase for Edwin Diaz. Throw in Starling Marte and his $7 million remaining on his deal!!!
Clase and smith for every top 100 Phils prospect not named Andrew painter
@STNmarinersfan – It is Saturday, so I hope that you are enjoying the tasty beverages that led to that trade idea. You might want to slow down however, as the day is long and the hangover even longer.
Fine with me. And Yes, that would definitely get it done.
Would Cleveland trade Clase and Cade Snith to the Mets for a package of Baty, Gilbert and Tidwell ? Or a bigger deal with Cleveland (Ramirez,Clase & Smith for Vientos, Baty, Gilbert, Suero, Tidwell and Hamel
Lol Ramirez is worth more than those guys.
That package won’t get you one of the relievers let alone both. Ramirez also has a no trade clause that he is not going to waive, Besides, that trade package wouldn’t get Ramirez, let alone adding Clase and Smith.
I doubt Cleveland would do either deal. Ramirez also has a full no-trade and loves the franchise….
Baty is worth nothing and Gilbert is a future 4th/platoon outfielder. Tidwell is the only one here that has some value beyond a throw-in to a larger deal, but is far from enough to headline a package for Smith or Clase, let alone both.
Baty definitely not worth nothing and has the highest upside of the prospects mentioned.
The upside of very little is still quite little. I bet you can’t repeat your proposal with a straight face.
Baty has played nearly 250 MLB games, and hasn’t done anything promising with the bat. The only time he did do anything was April and May this season, but since the start of June, he’s been awful again. He wouldn’t even be the 2nd best player in a deal for either Clase or Smith.
914 ops in may, 908 ops in July… try again
What happened to the AL central? Went from 3 teams that were competitive to Detroit running away a year later
Guardians, Royals, and Twins didn’t address their flaws over the off season and it shows
KC only made playoffs b/c they went 12-1 vs WSox. Against rest of MLB not postseason caliber. Twins also went 12-1, but horrible vs rest of baseball. Bottom feeding has a short shelf life.
Pitching only goes so far… But in Cle and Min’s case this year, not even that. And injuries are a factor yes, but not an excuse. Farms aren’t just there for trades.
In my lifetime as a Cleveland Indians/Guardians ) fan – over 65 years- i have come to accept that Cleveland has always been a feeder of major league talent to richer teams (i remember when Nettles and Chambliss were half the yankees infield with Oscar Gamble platooning in right with lou pinella – and how for years they kicked Cleveland’s butt. Cleveland got charlie spikes and rusty torres and other forgettable names and generally finished last). They bring back weak returns and gas light us with matt lawton. Or Harvey kuene. The more things change the more they remain the same.
Just stop. Your not getting both or even one for garbage. Are you related to jim bowen who cant find a front office job anywhere !
Go follow a different team then. In 1990 the gateway issue was a new baseball stadium and basket ball arena. On that night at 1100pm the indians were playing the twins and tom hamaltion said the issue was going down. It wasnt untill 1200 that tom said gateway did past. There was group from flordia that had a flight the next day to cleveland if the gateway issue failed they were moving the team to florida. Cleveland is lucky to have 3 major leagues considering it keeps losing population and was voted the poorest city in ohio. Also the worse potitical run city in the state, with steve erckel look like at the helm. Did l do that ! 😆
65 years of self imposed victimhood. Aw. Cute. And sad AF.
I think the real story could be Kwan. He is irreplaceable in the Guards lineup but is being asked to do too much. He wears down in the second half and is way past the window for a contract with the Guards. It would be a real gamble and a mess if they traded him. He’s eventually gone.
Agree. The probability of them extending Kwan is right around 10%. The question at this point is when can they trade him for max return without jeopardizing the current season? Not this year. I do like the idea of Clase and Naylor to LAD for Rushing and DePaula. That fills 2 big holes for years to come. Naylor is never gonna be what they thought he would and is better suited as a backup, but he’s still young.
Naylor doesn’t make a lot of sense for the dodgers. Sticking him in the outfield doesn’t seem like his best use.
Hmm, Jays would love Kwan and Clase. Who to trade for them? Yesavage, Nimmala, Martinez, Loperfido, Bloss, and Schrek? Or some package along those lines? Thoughts?
Why does everybody think cleveland only wants minor league players? You never hear a trade proposal that includes a decent major league player. Dont you think cleveland has an interest in winning too?
If Cleveland want major league starters, they will have to find a contender with excess (like a Boston OF) or find a non contender (that wants to trade for a closer).
What non contender trades for a closer at the deadline? Those trades are not available at this time.
You did say you’ve been a fan for 65 years. (I’ve been one year less) Cleveland is interested in winning but only if it can be done cheaply. I too remember the Nettles and Chambliss trades. That was a period where quantity beat quality think they got 4 players for Nettles (including one guy who retired rather than play here) and 4 pitchers for Chambliss including two who wife swapped. What great memories 😁
I would be good with anyone not named Yesavage or Nimmala going back. Trey looks like he’s gonna be up with the jays by end of the minor league season and Nimmala is Bo insurance
The problem with both Smith and Clase is the amount of usage Cleveland has put onto them. This is why Clase faltered at the end of two seasons in a row. And you cand see the effects on Smith after one year.
Would I take both sure. Would I give a up major talent for them? No no reliever is worth a top shelf prospect.
Another great example of the usage effect was Chapman after the Cubs. He hasn’t really been the same after Madden used him to the point he couldn’t even close out the World Series.
Andrew miller and the 2016 indians would like a word.
💯 and as a Jay’s fan Shapiro said if he was still in charge of the Indians he wouldn’t do that deal.
The only problem with that attitude is those teams that try to do the bullpen on the cheap get what they pay for. See Blue jays, Phillies, etc. They get eliminated when they blow post season games late.
Rumors, and rumors of rumors.
Cleveland is not trading either pitcher, nor are they trading Kwan.
Cleveland will listen to any offer, but there is no offer that they will accept. The asking price would be ridiculous…laughably ridiculous. So ridiculous that it wouldn’t even be considered….just like the idea that Cleveland would trade any of the three is ridiculous.
Try Rushing and Pages for Clase. Ridiculous. But if you want the best closer in baseball for 3.5 years at about $28 mil total, its gonna cost a lot more than anything any website can conjour up.
For the outsized budget and the outsized expectations that the outsized payroll will bring multiple championships, if you believe clase is the component who delivers the outsized expectation, are pages, rushing and even freeland too much to pay for a couple of world series appearances and maybe wins? Would be a pity to spend that payroll and not deliver for lack of a closer.
I generally agree with your reasoning here. Though replacing a pen arm is the easiest to do. At least from aa cost perspective.
I think the Cleveland would move him if they can get one bat they really believe in and a couple of flyers. One of rushing or pages plus a couple lower level guys they like. I think the dodgers or perhaps the Phillies are about the only two teams that I could see getting him.
I’m still pissed at how the Clase for Kluber trade shook out lol.
Do want a tissue ? The front office of the guardians knows how to devolped pitching starting or relief !
You got one full inning from him
As a padres fan I don’t want to hear it. Trades of these names make me cringe.
Reds could use either reliever or Kwan.
Will they get any? Heck no.
Like the Reds and would enjoy seeing them battle for 3rd WC spot, but they make it too diificult for a seller to do business. Current FO is too stingy with prospects + the owner seems to want seller to kick in money toward salary due to frugality.
That gets tiresome quick when a seller can just pivot to others that don’t put up those barriers.
Really? The Yankees tend to get money thrown into quite a few of their deadline trades to help offset the luxury tax. Doesn’t seem to stop them.
Yes-yet a lot of NYY deals don’t involve that. They’ll sweeten the pot on return if they are hovering on edge of a certain tax threshold for player they really want. If Cincy shows a willingness to cough up better pieces going back for paying down salary, happy to see it. One of those you can’t have it both ways things in making at least what’s perceived by seller as win-win deal for both sides.
Out of all the late innings relievers tied to the Tigers, I’d always wish that Cam Smith was one of them. Now woop- here he is. Hey Guardians- look into my eyes….. You are in the NL west division… You will trade Cam to Detroit for Alex Cobb…. Muaha…. Muahahahaha
You do realize that CAM Smith plays for Houston AND that he’s NOT a relief pitcher, right? This article was regarding CADE Smith. Muahahahaha to you as well.
Potatoe tomatoe… They both have toes.
Yeah, but one is a VEGETABLE & the other is (technically) a FRUIT.
But that’s like getting Cade and Cam mixed up…. Oh wait.
If the Tigers could get a deal done without including their top 3 prospects I’d be all over that. They have the top farm system in the league so they can afford the overpay needed to acquire a player from a division rival. I prefer Clase to Smith personally but they both rock. And there is no way I see the Tigers including any of the top 3 unless it was in a larger deal to address 3B or SS and either a RH power hitter or maybe for the right center fielder. No SS worth it in Cleveland. Ramirez would be sweet playing 3B for the Tigers but he’d cost way too much and he seems to want to be in Cleveland. Kwan would be a wicked addition. Clase and Kwan for Briceno, Meadows, Hamm, Melton and a decent A ball bat.
We have Kwan in McK. More versatile too. Two Kwans ain’t bad though but the again we don’t necessarily need an outfield bat. How bout Kerry Bonds for Cade Smith straight up. Fits both clubs needs.
Carpenter can’t hit lefties and is often and currently injured. If he can’t hit lefties, he doesn’t help Cleveland. Easy pass.
Cade pitches 3-4 innings a week. It’s Cle. They have a half dozen Cades just waiting in the farm. What they don’t have and can’t get elsewhere is a power bat. Sure, Kerry has flaws like you mentioned, but that’s why he’s expendable. If he played 9 innings 3 times a week, seems fair. I’ll throw in a single A.
Without using any of your top three prospects?
Heck, the asking price would begin with at least two of them.
Of course, Detroit wouldn’t do that. And of course, they aren’t getting Clase….lol.
They can keep Clase… We got his number.
Cleveland says no. It does nothing to meet their immediate or future needs. Meadows has been awful. Briceno is a poor defensive catcher and will likely end up at 1B. Cleveland values defense first at catcher and are already deep with 1B prospects.
Meadows and Brisceno aren’t available John.
Parker and Veirling need to be sent down for a few weeks. They’re lost but needed. Hey AJ- please stop putting them both in the line up… Consecutively… Followed by Rogers.
I was responding to Motor City Beach Bum’s trade proposal.
My bad
No problem.
@TobIe1 – You can have the Yankees Cade Smith. Send Riley Greene. Just imagine you sent Shane Greene. Insert Dr Evil laugh here.
Haha!!!!
As much of a stud that Riley is and will become, as a Tigers fan that sees every box score, he’s literally all or nothing. Extra base hit or K. When he grounds out or gets a base hit it’s almost shocking. That swing…
To think that the Rangers traded a tremendous prospect in Clase to the Indians for a badly damaged Kluber just boggles my mind.
We did have to take Delino Deshields jr too though 😂. When Clase was suspended for steroid use after the trade fans weren’t too thrilled with the trade.
Outman and Wrobleski, possibly a prospect for Clase?
Solid center fielder with offensive upside. Might need a change of scenery because he’s blocked by Pages.
Robo is growing into a very solid starting pitcher.
Both are cheap, major league ready, and controllable.
Outman is just another light hitting outfielder that can’t hit lefties and righties for that matter. Robo is a mediocre at best pitcher. Tell me with a straight face how that makes the Guardians better.
Do you think Duran, Password, and Kutter Crawford get it done for Clase and a starting pitcher like Logan Allen?
Oof, that’s a bit too much for BoSox fans, especially me, to swallow. I would say Duran or Abreu (I’d prefer Abreu while his stats are still good), Yoshida (with the Sox paying a decent amount of his salary) and Payton Tolle. I think that makes a bit more sense for both sides in my humble opinion. Maybe tack on Kutter and a lower grade prospect infielder for the Logan Allen side.
Soon Cleveland will have no clase
Bend over and hold your legs goof !
Clase for Helsley and Fedde
Don’t drink and propose trades. 3.5 years of Clase for two rentals with little value.
Didn’t think Cade Smith would be available but boy would he look good coming out the Phillies pen. Abel & Johan Rojas, well even take Lane Thomas’ $8mil or whatever it is. Clase’ post season performance concerns me.
Teams are asking and Cleveland will listen (except on Ramirez with the no trade clause), but that does not mean that they are shopping him or longing to trade him. Cleveland would have to be totally overwhelmed to trade him. Is Abel and a light hitting bench outfielder overwhelming. Obviouslly it would take a lot more. Smith would be more expensive than Clase.
They’re not trading him as he’s a big part of Guatdians’ brand identity. He may very likely enter the HOF donning a Cleveland cap. His production/contract remains a surplus value.
How many people responded as if the Guardians were agressively shopping Clase and Smith instead of just listening if someone calls?
Cause Heyman is a reliable source…
Doesn’t make sense to move either, no matter how awesome it would be for your favorite teams garbage offer to be accepted. I could see Cleveland moving Clase in the off season, but zero chance they move Smith.
The Braves are listening to Energy Drink Offers for Brian Snitker. Currently nothing seems to be working to get him off the dugout chair including coffee, tobacco and shaving cream. The only thing that has helped him is the call for frequent pitching changes! Most of them are the wrong pitchers, so he has to get up many times with hardly any energy!
Snitker should be fired tomorrow after losing a game the Braves were up by 5 runs. Where is the accountability?
They should have been listening to offers last year when I recommended trading him before the season started so they can cash in on him instead of wait for his eventual decline. I was right last year and it’s proven me even more correct this year that he’s not as good.
Clase had one bad month and you know that can screw with a reliever’s ERA for the whole season. Since May 1, he’s allowed four ER in 30.2 IP for an ERA of 1.17 — a half run per nine more than all of last season.
@BigChiefWahoo
He’s on the decline which is why they should have traded him last year.
I don’t understand why the Guardians would ever trade Steven Kwan. He’s theirs for 2 more years until FA. They’re still close, it’s just that Detroit’s having a great year. If they want to trade Clase (maybe) or Smith (why?), which is all the article says, then the Mariners could give them some top-100 MLB prospects and call it a day. They have the #1 farm system, with some great pitching waiting in the wings. And, if they want Harry Ford to catch for them for the next 10 years, I’m sure something could be worked out for Ramirez, but that’s just wishful thinking.
@zippy there’s no chance in hell Cleveland would ever trade Ramirez
Zippy said it himself….wishful thinking
I actually meant Clase and Ramirez (and his large contract) for Ford, Williamson, and two MLB top 100 prospects. But as you say, not happening. Ford is short for a 1B (5’10” is the listed height, but no way he’s even that), so that’s not a good transition, and the experiment in the OF seemed to flop.
All of these armchair GMs valuing “their” players and in the end, Clase will go for a middling pitching prospect and a bucket of balls. It always happens that seemingly every trade has armchair GM jaws hitting the floor with how little it took to get the guy they gave up.
Ok with parting ways with Clase, but I think we should hold on to the remaining core pieces in that bullpen
Jon Heyman don’t know 💩
If Cleveland trades Clase, money will be a motivator. Yeah, yeah, he’s cheap on a multi-year deal. But this is Paul Dolan, the 6th richest owner who expects you to pick up the tab for lunch. So shedding $4.5 million is really tempting to him. What is funny is every year the fan base of contending teams think their blue chip minor leaguers are untouchable in trade talks because every one of those guys is going to be a star once they get called up. The O’s should be Exhibit A for those fan bases. Elias blew it when he decided to hoard all of those blue chippers instead of trading some to acquire a couple of starters when their window was wide open. Where are the O’s now, and how many of those blue chip prospects are above average players?
The O’s could have probably traded for Crochet. It made no sense why they sat on their hands.
Clase is only do $6.4 million next year. Hell they paid Paul Sewald more this season. Money will not be the reason if Clase is moved. Clase will only be moved if they can add a controllable MLB or MLB ready bat in a position of need.
Money is ALWAYS a factor with Dolan. That is indisputable.
Come on, windowpane. If they paid Sewald $7M they would pay Clase $6.4M. Very tired narrative.
Agreed. Tired of the “cheap” whine. Would they rather be Pittsburgh?
Oh, another casual fan who just dropped in the last year or two. Pssst! Paul Dolan is CHEAP. It’s been in all the newspaper for the last 2.5 DECADES.
Umm, Paul Dolan is the 6th wealthiest owner in baseball. The team consistently has ranked in the bottom 5 in payroll over the last 2.5 decades. I understand we live in a fact averse universe at the moment, but some of us still live in reality. You’re welcome to join us.
I have been a Cleveland baseball fan since 1965 so you know where you can stick your comment. You totally ignored my point because of your own self-importance. If they paid Sewald $7M this season, paying the much better Clase less money next season is not a worry.
I’ve been a fan since 1960 so I even beat you there. Self-important? (Chuckle) For some reason you think comparing Sewald’s salary to Clase’s is somehow related and important. Okay, let’s go there. Sewald is on a 1-year deal. Clase is owed for several more years that totals way more money than Sewald’s contract. HELLO! You see the money Dolan will save now if he trades Clase? Not rocket science.
The Tigers better be ready to part with Max Clark!
Are they really? That Cleveland front office is like Ft Knox. I bet they hang onto both guys
Clase to the Dodgers for whatever it takes.
Clickbait. Guards aren’t trading Clase.
I wouldn’t be so sure about that
Every decent GM has to leave that possibility open. Unless a team steps forward with a huge offer, they have no real motivation to move him now. Just my opinion, of course. But we heard these rumors before.
Dodgers get:Smith, Clase
Guards get: josue de puala, dalton rushing. Justin wrobleski, Evan phillips, cash, draft pick
Cleveland would get more in 2 separate deals, but they won’t trade both.
No chance that Cleveland trades both Smith and Clase. Second, the Dodgers don’t have a draft pick that they are allowed to trade. Also, Phillips is a free agent after 2026 and is already out for part of that season with Tommy John. Easy no here for the Guardians.
Both would look great in Cincinnati but our cheap ownership it will never happen.