On the season, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ bullpen owns a 4.03 ERA, 12th highest in the game. Most of this can be chalked up to injuries; however, this can’t distract from the struggles of several key relievers this season. While Tanner Scott seems to have settled in, a few other arms (Kirby Yates among them) are yet to hit their stride. According to rumors, the Dodgers will be keeping a close eye on the trade market for bullpen help.
But instead of going after just any reliever, what if the Dodgers target one of the game’s elite closers to help them win consecutive titles? This could be a reason to watch for a potential Cleveland Guardians’ selloff.
Emmanuel Clase quickly became a face of the franchise after landing with the Guardians in 2021. Last season, he pitched 74.1 innings to the tune of an unfathomable 0.61 ERA. Adding him in his optimal form could make the Dodgers unstoppable.
However, Clase had some early struggles that put a damper on his 2025 season. He now owns a 3.94 ERA. Prior to a poor outing against the Seattle Mariners, he was showing signs of settling in. If he can find his 2024 form, he could be a game-changer that solves the Dodgers’ greatest problem. But would the Guardians consider trading him with three years of club control left? Writer for The Athletic, Zack Meisel, thinks it’s possible.
“The Guardians are always angling to move a pitcher before it’s too late, and Clase seems like a prime candidate to be mentioned on the hot stove this winter,” he wrote.
Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase (48) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Progressive Field.
Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Indeed, the notion of trading Clase has gained some traction in recent days. But, trading him could come down to one factor. Meisel explains they could wait to see if he raises his value.
“They could listen on him this summer, too, but they might prefer to use the second half to confirm he’s still the same guy who finished third in the AL Cy Young Award voting last season. This would be slightly easier for the Guardians to stomach if Andrew Walters hadn’t undergone surgery to repair a torn lat last week.”
If he is on the trade block, Clase might come at a steep discount. This should be more than enough motivation for the Dodgers to make an offer.
