The Cleveland Guardians are still trying to get through the Emmanuel Clase situation.
So far, they’ve managed to get by just fine without the All-Star closer, who is unavailable due to an MLB gambling investigation.
However, even with a replacement like Cade Smith available, manager Stephen Vogt isn’t ready to commit to one reliever for the role.
“We talk to all of our guys. We know when they need a day, when they can’t go and when they can. Then there are nights when Cade might not pitch the ninth. He might pitch the eighth. More than likely, he’s going to get the bulk of the opportunities in the ninth, but we’re not going to name a closer quite yet,” Vogt said.
Smith is the likeliest candidate to get the nod for the rest of the season and in the playoffs, but it looks like the Guardians want to explore all their options.
Clase was placed on the league’s non-disciplinary paid leave list in late July.
He’s part of the gambling investigation that has also sidelined starter Luis L. Ortiz, and according to most reports, it’s not looking good for either of them.
The Guardians reportedly were open to trading Clase before the deadline, so they may have had a contingency plan already in place.
They have won five of six games in August and continue to play well since the All-Star break.
If they keep it up, it won’t be long before they’re in an AL Wild Card spot.
Of course, that will only make the decision about the closer even more important, as they can’t afford to blow leads late in games when there’s no margin for error.
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