Playoff contenders like the Philadelphia Phillies , Detroit Tigers and New York Mets will be looking for bullpen help come the trade deadline. And one top MLB analyst believes all three teams have the assets to acquire a three-time All-Star closer.
The Athletic's Jim Bowden, former general manager of the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals , believes those three teams could make a run for three-time All-Star Emmanuel Clase with the Cleveland Guardians floundering in the standings.
"I keep hearing Emmanuel Clase's name," Bowden told the "Foul Territory" podcast. "I think Cleveland is at the point now where they're looking at their lineup — they're 26th in runs scored, 20th in home runs — and they're feeling like, 'We can put Cade Smith closing. Let's move on from Clase. He's got an affordable contract. He's signed. We can do well prospect wise.' I think they could move him."
Clase, who led the American League in saves the last three years, is under contract through 2028. He's making $4.9 million this year, owed $6.4 million in 2026 and has club options in 2027 and 2028 for $10 million each.
The Guardians are 46-49, 12 games behind the Tigers for first in the AL Central and 4.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot with six teams ahead of them. With their current position, it would make sense for Cleveland to trade one of their top talents in Clase and get a prospect haul in return.
"Teams like the Phillies, and the Mets and the Tigers, they have enough in their farm system to make a deal," Bowden explained. "I think he more likely goes to Philly or the Mets than the Tigers. I'm not sure they're going to trade him in their own division unless they get overwhelmed."
With the years of control Clase has left, Cleveland could get a package headlined by Aidan Miller from the Phillies, Jett Williams from the Mets and Max Clark from the Tigers.
Clase had a rough start to the season but bounced back and finished the first half with a 2.91 ERA in 43 appearances and 20 saves. He has had his playoff demons, though. In seven games against the Tigers and New York Yankees last October, he posted a 9.00 ERA, giving up eight earned runs in eight innings, 12 hits and three home runs.
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