Although the New York Yankees were eliminated from the 2025 MLB World Series race, plans are in place for a restructuring for 2026. One of the areas in most urgent need is the bullpen and according to Fansided, an unexpected name has emerged as a possible reinforcement: Emmanuel Clase, current closer for the Cleveland Guardians.
Journalist Christopher Kline suggests that New York should consider a trade for Clase, arguing that “he is under club control at an affordable price through 2028, so the Yankees would inherit a closer with four more years of top-level production”.
The problem is that Clase not only has a powerful glove, but also a scandal that could cost him his career because he is involved in an illegal gambling investigation in MLB, along with his teammate Luis Ortiz and both were banned from the Dominican Fall League. Some reports even indicate that their involvement was so serious that their return to professional baseball is unlikely.
Are the Yankees willing to risk their reputation for a suspended reliever?
In terms of sports, the Yankees’ bullpen is in urgent need of reinforcements. Although David Bednar performed well after his arrival at the trade deadline, closing out key games against Boston in the Wild Card Series, the overall instability was evident in the elimination against Toronto in the Division Series. Devin Williams had a year to forget and Luke Weaver was not the same after his injury in July.
In this context, an arm like Clase’s could represent a solution for a team with World Series aspirations year in and year out. However, the risk is enormous and whileMLB has yet to make a definitive decision on his punishment and according to Kline, the Yankees are willing to offer three prospects as currency: Bryce Cunningham, TJ Rumfield and Brendan Jones, none of them in the overall Top 100, but they are valued within the team’s minor league system.
If Clase is finally cleared to return, New York might be tempted to take the risk, but if not, just getting close to this kind of deal could bring media fallout and internal divisions within the organization.
Read the full article here
