The Cleveland Guardians are fresh off an ALCS appearance in 2024, which has heightened expectations heading into the 2025 season, even though the team had a relatively quiet offseason.
The team is set up for another run at the AL Central crown and a deep playoff run, but one analyst hasn’t gotten over what happened in last year’s postseason and is urging the team to trade one of its star players.
On a recent episode of “The BIG Factor,” Gabb Goudy of FanDuel said it’s time to deal star closer Emmanuel Clase.
“Trade him. … He got money. So, what happens when our players get money?” Goudy said.
Gabb's hot take is an Emmanuel Clase trade this season 👀
"Trade him. He got money, what happens when our players get money?"
– @gabbgoudy pic.twitter.com/PtB1FIH8a8
— The BIG Factor (@TheBIGFactor) March 14, 2025
It’s an odd take as Clase signed a five-year, $20 million contract extension in 2022, which has club options for 2027 and 2028.
If the implication is that he’ll fall off after making big money, it’s off-base because he hasn’t signed a new contract in years.
Clase surely lost a few fans after giving up eight earned runs in the postseason following a dominant regular season that saw him surrender just five earned runs total, so it’s not a surprise that some fans and media members are ready to move on from him.
He also had a rough recent outing in spring training, surrendering three runs in 0.2 innings against the San Francisco Giants.
The Guardians also have plenty of depth in the bullpen, with Cade Smith, in particular, looking like a potential dominant closer if Clase were to be traded.
However, there is no chance that will happen, especially at this point in the season.
It makes sense for Guardians fans to still be frustrated after Clase’s struggles last postseason, but hopefully, he’ll win them back with another great regular season.
NEXT: Guardians Announce Lineup For Spring Breakout Game
