In a span of a few months, Cleveland Guardians reliever Emmanuel Clase went from potential trade piece to Reliever of the Month in the American League.
Clase has always been a top-five closer in MLB, but the Guardians probably wanted to test his trade value in this past offseason.
In a perfect, ideal world, however, he will stay in Cleveland at least for several more years: he is young (26 years old), dominant (career 1.82 ERA), and under cheap control for a long time, through the 2028 campaign if his both option years are exercised by the club.
That’s four additional seasons after 2024.
Clase is, plain and simple, one of the most valuable trade pieces in baseball.
Helping his case is his extraordinary performance in the month of May.
He was named AL Reliever of the Month for a reason: just take a look at his numbers.
“Emmanuel Clase: 9 saves, 13 IP, 14 K, 0.00 ERA. Robert Suarez: 7 saves, 12.1 IP, 13 K, 0.73 ERA. Your AL and NL Relievers of the Month for May!” MLB tweeted.
Emmanuel Clase: 9 saves, 13 IP, 14 K, 0.00 ERA
Robert Suarez: 7 saves, 12.1 IP, 13 K, 0.73 ERAYour AL and NL Relievers of the Month for May! pic.twitter.com/BHTgZnJxsw
— MLB (@MLB) June 3, 2024
It wasn’t four or five perfect innings: he tossed 13 of those in May.
In 29.1 frames for the season, Clase has an otherworldly 0.31 ERA.
He has conceded four runs in the entire season, but only one of them has been earned: hence the incredibly low ERA.
His 0.61 FIP is also elite and says his remarkable run-prevention skills are no fluke: he just doesn’t allow any baserunners.
Clase is already up to 18 saves, a number that leads the American League as of Monday afternoon and is second in MLB after Ryan Helsley’s 19.
Clase is, without a doubt, one of the best closers in Guardians history.
NEXT: Jose Ramirez Has A Message For Guardians Fans
