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How much money could Guardians' Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz lose in federal gambling probe?
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- How much money could Guardians' Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz lose in federal gambling probe?
CLEVELAND — Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz might have thrown their final pitches in a major league game, and they're now facing much more serious charges and potentially prison time.
Clase and Ortiz were both indicted by federal prosecutors in New York on several charges , including wire fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, among others. Both face up to 65 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
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One major question surrounding the case is what happens financially with both pitchers and the Cleveland Guardians .
Ortiz was brought into custody Nov. 9, according to prosecutors. Clase is reportedly out of the country and is not yet in custody.
The 23-page indictment , recently unsealed, outlines a series of incidents alleging Clase and Ortiz intentionally threw balls to win bettors fraudulent wagers. The indictment alleges Clase had been involved in the scheme since May 2023, with Ortiz joining this past season.
Included within the indictment are allegations of messages in which Clase directs Ortiz to lie about some money he received related to the scheme, and if asked, to say "this payment is for a horse," according to prosecutors.
Guardians starting pitcher Luis Ortiz delivers a first-inning pitch against the Kansas City Royals, April 12, 2025, in Cleveland.
Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz contract details
Major League Baseball has not yet concluded its own investigation. Both pitchers are technically still on paid leave, which has been the case since July. Neither has been suspended yet, officially.
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But the question remains: how much would Clase and Ortiz stand to forfeit if they end up being banned for life, which is one of the possible outcomes.
In Ortiz's case, it's difficult to say. He was still a pre-arbitration-eligible player. As a major leaguer, he has earned a little more than $1.5 million. He likely would be set to make around the same in 2026 as he did in 2025 ($782,600) and then he'd be eligible for arbitration beginning with the 2027 season.
It's unclear, but it's likely Ortiz would be set for several million dollars in earnings over the next few years, if eligible.
In Clase's case, the numbers are more outlined and much greater in total.
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Clase had already made roughly $12 million. Before the 2022 season, Clase and the Guardians came to an agreement on a five-year, $20 million extension that included two club option years.
As part of that long-term extension, Clase is set to make a base salary of $6 million in 2026. The deal has club options originally valued at $10 million for 2027 and 2028, but incentives for games pitched and awards have already driven each up by at least $2.5 million a piece.
By the time Clase reaches the club options, they'd be at least $12.5 million, possibly more depending on the 2026 season. In addition to games pitched incentives, Clase can trigger further incentives for finishing in the top three in Rivera/Hoffman Reliever of the Year Award voting.
Even for a smaller market team like the Guardians, roughly $12.5 million a year for the best reliever in baseball would be a steal and an easy decision to exercise the option in a perfect world. And if Clase were to be traded during that time, he'd receive another $1 million.
Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase reacts after a win over the Baltimore Orioles on July 23, 2025, in Cleveland.
How much could Emmanuel Clase potentially lose in gambling scandal?
Both option years include $2 million buyouts. So, at absolute minimum, Clase is still owed $10 million — $6 million for 2026 and the two $2 million buyouts — under his current deal.
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But add all of it up and Clase would likely still have around $31 million — $6 million base salary, $25 million in option years and incentives — on his deal. And he'd then be entering free agency at just 30 years old.
But that potential future now rests with MLB's own investigation and, more importantly, the charges brought against Clase and Ortiz by federal prosecutors that include the possibility of long prison terms if convicted on all counts.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: How much money could Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz lose in gambling case?
