Latest news with #Guardians'
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
How does MLB's investigation into Emmanuel Clase impact Guardians' trade deadline plans?
CLEVELAND — The long-term futures of Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase and starting pitcher Luis Ortiz are in the hands of Major League Baseball's gambling investigation. In the short term, the Guardians know they'll be without both through at least Aug. 31, the current end date of their nondisciplinary paid leave, which could be extended. The Guardians woke up July 28 only 3.5 games out of a American League wild card berth, the result of a recent 11-2 stretch that followed a 10-game losing skid. By the time the afternoon rolled around, they were without their three-time All-Star closer for the next month, a gut punch to not only the clubhouse but their playoff chances. The timing of Clase's sidelining has the chance to have a ripple effect considering MLB's trade deadline — 6 p.m. July 31 — is fast approaching. But will it? 2025 MLB trade deadline: Does closer Emmanuel Clase impact Guardians' plans? The Guardians' trade deadline plans were already a bit murky, and the Clase situation only added another layer to it all considering how they might respond to it. They've been hovering around .500 for the last couple of weeks. The 10-game skid threatened to catapult them into full seller's territory, but the response of winning 11 of their next 13 games, combined with the easiest remaining schedule in the AL, left the door cracked open for a possible playoff push. Three things are commonly known about how the Guardians front office normally operates: First, they make decisions with both today and tomorrow in mind as they try to regularly field a playoff contender; second, they'll always at least answer the phone when opposing teams call, not wanting to close the door on any potential paths to build the roster; and third, they can drive teams borderline insane with how disciplined they can be when sticking to their internal evaluations. So, knowing that, how does Clase's absence fit into all of it? It likely doesn't mean the Guardians will enter a fire sale and lower their own values on available players, but it might mean they receive some additional phone calls from teams wondering if Cleveland is throwing in the towel, and if any players are more available than they were a few hours prior to the Clase news. Hammy in the Hall: 'It's very surreal': Tom Hamilton to be inducted into Hall of Fame as Frick Award winner In other words, it depends more on the offers coming in than the Guardians' own stance, considering their propensity to stand their ground and not overreact to situations. Because they rarely go 100 percent in or out, and they're often balancing a number of factors for both the immediate season and the future, Clase being out for a month won't lead to a landslide, at least from Cleveland's perspective. But if other teams decide to offer enough, with the inkling that just a bit more value might do the trick, if they think (or hope) the Guardians are leaning that way? Perhaps. "It's a very active time of year anyway where we're in constant dialogue with a lot of teams, so we had a lot of dialogue up through this morning," said president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti. "Certainly, I've had dialogue over the last few hours and my expectation is that it will continue over the next few days." Who could the Guardians trade at the 2025 deadline? One known element of Clase being sidelined is that he absolutely cannot be traded at this deadline, nor can Ortiz. The odds that Clase would have been moved considering his team-friendly, long-term contract were low. It likely would have taken an out-of-this-world offer to move the needle. But now that flexibility is gone regardless. It also puts an even greater premium on reliever Cade Smith. Manager Stephen Vogt noted July 28 the Guardians won't officially name a closer just yet, but it stands to reason Smith will be the favorite for saves in Cleveland. If his price tag was high already, it'd take even more to pry him from the Guardians now. All-Star left fielder Steven Kwan has been occasionally named as a possible trade target, but that's another would-need-to-be-blown-out-of-the-water situation with any potential offers. First baseman Carlos Santana is likely the most available, but the 39-year-old first baseman probably won't garner much of a return on the open market. Center fielder Lane Thomas might have been a prime trade target considering he's heading for free agency, but a nagging plantar fasciitis issue has likely taken him off the board as well, along with Clase and Ortiz. Starting pitcher Shane Bieber remains one of the most interesting trade possibilities in baseball. It would only make sense for the Guardians to move him if they received top dollar, which could be asking a lot for someone coming off Tommy John surgery. Teams acquiring him would only have his rehab assignments to work off of for evaluations. Bieber has a player option with a $4 million buyout for 2026. Generally speaking, perhaps a team could use the Ortiz and Clase situations to placate some selling at the deadline. But it might be difficult to sell that idea to a clubhouse only a few games out of a playoff spot with two months of baseball left to play. On the other hand, if they lose a series to the historically-bad Colorado Rockies, all bets might be off when it comes to selling at the deadline should the Guardians lose ground in the Wild Card race on the heels of the Clase news. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Could Emmanuel Clase's absence impact the Guardians' trade deadline?
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Astros GM Dana Brown 'would love' to land No. 3 starter at trade deadline
The Houston Astros are going to be buyers at the MLB trade deadline, and it's only a question of what kind og players they target. With needs at second base, outfield, third base, and in the rotation, there are plenty of avenues for general manager Dana Brown to take. But Brown has one area of the roster that he wants to address at the trade deadline, even if it's not the highest priority need. According to former GM Jim Bowden, during an appearance on Foul Territory, Brown "would love" to add another starting pitcher. "He wants a game three starter for the playoffs," Bowden said. "They feel great about Valdez and Hunter Brown pitching games one and two... he would love to get that game three starter." The Astros have one of the better one-two punches atop their starting rotation. Valdez has a 2.62 ERA and an 11-4 record with 141 strikeouts in 21 starts this season, while Brown has a 2.54 ERA and a 9-5 record with 149 strikeouts over his 21 starts. But, aside from those two, the Astros' rotation has a lot of question marks, thanks in large part to a ridiculous amount of pitchers on the injured list. MORE: Astros DFA fan favorite slugger, according to wife's announcement Spencer Arrighetti, Cristian Javier, Lance McCullers Jr., Luis Garcia, Brandon Walter, and J.P. France all could return at some point this season, while Hayden Wesneski and Ronel Blanco are done for the year. Any of those starters could be the team's number three starter for a postseason series. But Brown is looking to the trade market to land such a starting pitcher instead of relying on the uncertain returns of their injured starting pitchers. Merrill Kelly of the Arizona Diamondbacks is one name to monitor, as he'd be a more affordable option than some of the controllable pitchers on the market. While Bowden reports that the Astros "would love" to add another starting pitcher, those options are expensive and limited. But, if the right deal presents itself, the Astros could pounce and add a new starting pitcher at the 2025 MLB trade deadline. MORE MLB NEWS: Guardians announce Emmanuel Clase's replacement amid closer placed on leave Tigers trade for Twins' 4.95 ERA starter for minor leaguer Guardians' Shane Bieber drawing interest ahead of trade deadline Guardians' Steven Kwan 'desired' by Phillies at trade deadline Cardinals get horrible news on top-ten pitching prospect Padres named among most desperate teams at MLB trade deadline
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Guardians break silence on Emmanuel Clase suspension
How do the Cleveland Guardians rebound from the Emmanuel Clase suspension? The Guardians' all-world closer was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave by Major League Baseball, and he will remain sidelined through at least August. Here is what manager Stephen Vogt had to say, via Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal: 'It stinks, it hurts,' Vogt said. 'It's not something we saw coming, not something that we anticipated. It's OK to be upset, it's OK to be hurting, but we're in this together, and it's just a reminder that this game is fragile, this game is special. And it was just a reminder of, we have to do this together and we're going to get through it, but it's going to be hard.' Vogt also talked about how the Guardians will lean toward matchup-specific pitching decisions rather than trying to replace Clase with one guy. However, if there is a role worth elevating, it is setup man Cade Smith. Smith has put together another stellar campaign, going 2-4 with a 3.20 ERA, a 2.11 FIP, 65 strikeouts to 17 walks, and 3 saves over 47 outings and 45 innings. The natural progression without Clase leaves Smith, Hunter Gaddis, Jakob Janis, Erik Sabrowski, and Tim Herrin with even greater responsibility. The Clase situation also clarifies Cleveland's deadline approach. Before, it was at least worth looking at soft buys to see if this middling club can sneak into the postseason. But, at 52-54 (with the Detroit Tigers just about out of reach), stuck in the Wild Card cluster, selling feels like the better option. Maybe some team feels like taking a flier on Clase is still viable, especially if he is eligible for the postseason. But, with so much hanging in the balance, that overly risky move will probably dissuade the market.
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Guardians' Emmanuel Clase put on leave in MLB gambling investigation
The team added that "no additional players or Club personnel are expected to be impacted." Clase had one of the best seasons by a relief pitcher in baseball history in 2024, converting 47 saves in 50 opportunities and posting a 0.61 ERA in 74 1/3 innings. He finished third in the AL Cy Young voting behind winner Tarik Skubal and runner-up Seth Lugo. This season, he's racked up 24 saves, but with a 3.23 ERA. Ortiz was put on leave July 3, after ESPN reported that two of his pitches - both sliders far outside the strike zone in games on June 15 and June 27 - received unusual gambling activity. The league did not specify what the investigation was about, but said in a statement Ortiz "has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through the end of the All-Star break." Although the break has concluded, Ortiz has yet to return to the Guardians' active roster.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Emmanuel Clase's name surfaced during gambling investigation of teammate Luis Ortiz
Ok, so it's not the 1919 Chicago White Sox scandal. The Cleveland Guardians are not being accused of throwing games. Now, if you're talking about bad judgement, with two pitchers potentially betting on baseball or having an association with known gamblers, we're about to find out if they also threw away their entire baseball careers. Guardians All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase, considered one of the best relievers in the game and who certainly could have brought the Guardians a haul of prized prospects at the trade deadline, was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave on Monday through Aug. 31 as MLB launches an investigation of whether he violated the league's gambling policy. Clase joins his close friend, Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz, who was placed on paid leave July 3 after unusual gambling activity on two pitches that he threw far outside the strike zone in June this season. Gamblers wagered high amounts of money on whether those two pitches would result in a ball or hit batsmen. It was during MLB's investigation with Ortiz when Clase's name suddenly surfaced, either by gamblers or Ortiz himself. He was not under investigation at the time Ortiz was forced to take a leave of absence. Now, three weeks later, Clase is also under investigation for potentially gambling on games in which he performed, facing a lifetime ban if found guilty. The Guardians said in a statement that 'no additional players or club personnel are expected to be impacted" by the investigation. It's certainly possible that another player or employee surfaces in the gambling investigation, but the Guardians' sentiments were echoed by MLB officials, who have no knowledge of improprieties involving players from any other team during this investigation. Clase, 27, would be the highest-profile player since Pete Rose nearly 40 years ago if proven that he bet on baseball games in which he played. Rose received a lifetime ban from baseball in 1989 for gambling on Cincinnati Reds games when he managed. Rose died last September, but was reinstated by commissioner Rob Manfred, making him eligible to be placed on the Hall of Fame ballot. Clase is a three-time All-Star and two-time winner of the Mariano Rivera award as the American League's best reliever. He finished third in the Cy Young race last year with a 0.61 ERA, and his career 1.88 ERA is the second-lowest among relievers who have pitched at least 100 games. Clase is in the fourth year of a five-year, $20 million contract. He is being paid $4.5 million this year with a guaranteed salary of $6 million in 2026 and $10 million club options in 2027 and 2028. Guardians president Chris Antonetti addressed the team Monday afternoon and says that their players are well educated on the dangers of sports gambling in spring training, with signs on the clubhouse walls reminding them of the dangers and potential repercussions. Certainly, no matter what the outcome of the investigation, it certainly is a gut-punch to the Guardians' postseason hopes. They are 3½ games out of a wild-card berth and suddenly don't have their closer for at least the next 4½ weeks. 'Two very good pitchers aren't going to be available to pitch for us in the near term,'' Antonetti told Cleveland reporters, 'and so we have to assess how that impacts our thinking.' For now, all the Guardians know is that two pitchers are under investigation for violating baseball's No. 1 rule, with their careers in limbo if discovered that they were involved in any way with gamblers. It was five years ago that Clase received an 80-game suspension for testing positive for Boldenone, a banned substance, delaying his Guardians' career before leading the American League in saves three consecutive seasons. Now, if found guilty, it abruptly ends his Guardians career, and begs the question heard 'round baseball: Who's next? 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