The Cleveland Guardians are closing out the season on a high note.
Not many people thought this team would do so, especially considering what they went through with two of their pitchers.
That’s a situation they will have to deal with regardless of how this year ends.
With that in mind, Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report dug into their potential courses of action this offseason and said they need to address it as a top priority.
“What is the resolution of gambling investigation? Both Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase have been on the restricted list since July as part of a gambling investigation. That neither has been exonerated to this point doesn’t leave you with a good feeling. Presumably, if the end point of this investigation is that Ortiz and Clase are found guilty, they will receive lifetime bans. Ortiz is a talented arm, so his loss would burn, but not nearly as much as Clase, the reigning Mariano Rivera Award winner. Beyond potentially losing two valuable arms, the Guardians will have to determine why two of their pitchers became susceptible to nefarious external influences and how they can restore trust with the rest of their clubhouse and fan base,” Kelly wrote.
Ortiz is a promising hurler who would’ve had a big role in the rotation for years to come.
As for Clase, he was universally considered one of the best closers in baseball.
The lack of updates about the situation isn’t encouraging, and most reports suggest that neither may throw another pitch in Major League Baseball.
Of course, there’s no way to defend what they allegedly did if they’re found guilty. The integrity of the game should come first and foremost.
But that will still leave the Guardians scrambling.
Cade Smith has done a solid job as Clase’s replacement, and he might be the early favorite to hold on to that role next season.
As for Ortiz, the Guardians could replace him with Joey Cantillo and Parker Messick, who have looked like potential stars while stepping up this season.
NEXT: Guardians Make Big Decision With Pitching Rotation Against Tigers
