MLB announced, on Monday, that Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase is being placed on non-disciplinary paid leave because of an ongoing investigation for potentially influencing betting activities.
Teammate Luis Ortiz was initially flagged for this on July 3 and is still under investigation.
Both pitchers will be on paid leave until August 31 at the very least.
It’s a huge blow for Cleveland, which stands to lose its all-time leader in saves and most consistent reliever in the last five years.
However, his actions have also left the front office without a key trade piece this week.
According to MLB insider Jim Bowden, the Guardians were prepared to trade Clase before the deadline on July 31.
“Emmanuel Clase was going to get traded. This is a huge blow for them because this was going to be an opportunity to reset their organization by using him as trade bait,” Bowden said.
Emmanuel Clase was going to get traded, says @JimBowdenGM.
"This is a huge blow for them because this was going to be an opportunity to reset their organization by using him as trade bait." pic.twitter.com/ghDq9WZ6wa
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) July 28, 2025
Those plans, however, are obviously not taking place now.
No one is going to acquire a reliever who could be facing a lengthy suspension.
Clase is just 27, was pitching well (recent blowup notwithstanding), and has multiple years of cheap control due to signing an incredibly team-friendly contract a few years ago.
He is also the owner of a career 1.88 ERA and 182 saves.
Bowden explains that many contenders were looking for a top high-leverage bullpen arm, and Clase was one of the best available.
Cleveland was in a position to demand multiple franchise-altering assets in exchange for Clase, and, per Bowden, had been laying the groundwork for a trade for weeks.
Clase, therefore, has effectively ruined the Guardians’ deadline plans.
NEXT: Guardians Announce 2 Roster Moves
