Cleveland – Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase is reportedly one of the dream targets for the New York Yankees, the team desperate for bullpen help. However, their pursuit ended abruptly when MLB placed the three-time All-Star on non-disciplinary paid leave through August 31, 2025, as part of a sports betting investigation.
This development eliminated what Sports Illustrated called “one of the top bullpen arms rumored to be available for the New York Yankees at this year’s trade deadline,” forcing the Yankees to pivot their deadline strategy while dealing with significant bullpen struggles.
The investigation represents the second major gambling scandal involving a Guardians pitcher this summer, following Luis Ortiz’s placement on similar leave in July. MLB Rule 21d(2) states that any player who bets “any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform, shall be declared permanently ineligible,” while Rule 21d(3) allows for commissioner discretion regarding illegal bookmaking activities.
Four players received year-long suspensions in June 2024 for betting violations, while Tucupita Marcano received a lifetime ban.
Yankees’ desperate bullpen situation created perfect storm
The Yankees entered the 2025 trade deadline with their bullpen ranking 21st in MLB with a 4.10 ERA, a dramatic decline from their 2024 excellence when they posted a 2.37 ERA early in the season. Their closer situation became particularly dire after acquiring Devin Williams from Milwaukee in December 2024 specifically to solve their ninth-inning needs.
Williams’ performance has been catastrophic, allowing 20 earned runs through July 21st – more than he allowed in the previous two seasons combined (13 total). This prompted manager Aaron Boone to consider changes to the closer role, despite Williams being a two-time NL Reliever of the Year. Luke Weaver, who took over closing duties late in 2024 after Clay Holmes’ 13 blown saves, has also struggled recently with a 7.20 ERA in June and July after an excellent start to the season.
General Manager Brian Cashman publicly acknowledged the team is “definitely” looking to upgrade multiple areas, with the bullpen being the primary focus. The Yankees needed reliable ninth-inning production, left-handed relief depth beyond Tim Hill, and additional swing-and-miss capability to complement their organizational philosophy emphasizing changeups and splitters.
Clase represented ideal solution before investigation
Emmanuel Clase would have been a perfect Yankees acquisition, combining elite performance with extraordinary value. The 27-year-old closer has posted a 1.84 ERA in 345 outings for Cleveland since 2019, winning the Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year Award in both 2022 and 2024. His historic 2023 season featured a microscopic 0.61 ERA with 47 saves, finishing third in AL Cy Young voting – the highest finish by a reliever since 2008.
Perhaps most appealing to the cost-conscious Yankees was Clase’s team-friendly contract signed in 2022: five years, $20 million total, with $4.5 million in 2025 and $6 million in 2026, plus club options for $10 million each in 2027-28. Sports Illustrated’s mock trade analysis suggested acquiring Clase “immediately reshapes the bullpen, pushing Weaver into a seventh-inning role and shifting Williams to setup duties in the eighth. The result could be the most formidable late-inning trio in the American League.”
Despite a relative down year in 2025 with a 3.23 ERA and 24 saves in 48 appearances before the investigation, Clase’s track record of excellence made him highly attractive. His signature 99+ MPH cutter and exceptional control (career 4.7% walk rate) represented exactly what the Yankees needed to stabilize their late-inning situation.
Conflicting reports preceded investigation bombshell
Trade speculation intensified throughout July 2025 with conflicting reports about Cleveland’s willingness to deal their closer. ESPN’s Buster Olney initially reported July 19th that “The Cleveland Guardians are ready to listen to offers for all but four players — third baseman Jose Ramirez, outfielder Steven Kwan and relievers Emmanuel Clase and Cade Smith.”
However, the New York Post’s Jon Heyman simultaneously reported that “Guardians are listening on relievers, including stars Smith and Clase. Prices are understandably high. They are seen as not too likely to trade either top pen guy.” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale added that “The Cleveland Guardians are telling teams they plan to keep closer Emmanuel Clase, who still is under team control through 2028.”
The Athletic’s Jim Bowden even proposed specific trade frameworks, suggesting the Guardians “Offer him to the Yankees for Spencer Jones,” identifying the Yankees’ top prospect as a potential centerpiece. Multiple reports indicated the Yankees were among the most aggressive suitors, alongside the Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago Cubs.
Investigation timeline and immediate impact
The gambling investigation timeline reveals how quickly circumstances changed:
- July 3, 2025: Luis Ortiz placed on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of MLB’s sports betting investigation
- July 19, 2025: Peak trade speculation with conflicting reports about Guardians’ willingness to deal Clase
- July 28, 2025: ESPN’s Jeff Passan breaks news that Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through August 31, 2025
- Immediate aftermath: CBS Sports noted “It goes without saying that Clase is no longer a trade candidate leading up to Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET deadline.”
Social media speculation suggested the investigation might involve betting on specific pitch outcomes, similar to the Ortiz case. Baseball analyst Foolish Baseball noted that Clase’s first-pitch waste percentage in the ninth inning (17.5%) significantly exceeded his rate on other pitches (5.2%), potentially flagging unusual patterns.
Yankees forced to pivot deadline strategy
With Clase unavailable, the Yankees are forced to explore alternative bullpen upgrades.
Pittsburgh Pirates relievers top the Yankees’ wish list, including closer David Bednar (under control through 2026) and setup men Caleb Ferguson and Dennis Santana (controlled through 2027).
Minnesota presents another attractive option if they decide to sell. The Twins possess three elite relievers under team control through 2027: Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, and Brock Stewart. Duran has emerged as a premier closer this season, posting a 1.90 ERA with 16 saves across 47 appearances. Industry insiders believe Duran could headline deadline trades alongside Bednar and St. Louis’s Ryan Helsley.
The Yankees have also expressed interest in Colorado’s Jake Bird, a 29-year-old right-hander with impressive strikeout ability (10.5 per nine innings). Despite pitching in hitter-friendly Coors Field, Bird maintains a 4.05 ERA and 3.09 FIP through 44 appearances. His sweeper and curveball generate significant value, and he excels at limiting hard contact.
Bird’s team control through 2028 and remaining minor league options enhance his trade appeal while keeping acquisition costs manageable for the Yankees’ championship pursuit.
The New York Yankees are aggressively pursuing bullpen reinforcements as the trade deadline approaches. With multiple teams and pitchers on their radar, a deal likely soon.
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