Potential Blue Jays trade deadline target Emmanuel Clase placed on non-disciplinary paid leave

Somewhat shockingly, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Cleveland Guardians left trade negotiations open for him before the investigation was announced. While the return would have had to have been massive before, the closer’s trade value has now plummeted in the matter of minutes.

It’s hard to imagine any contending team not being interested in Clase before the investigation. The Toronto Blue Jays were likely one of those teams. Their bullpen has cycled through numerous arms this year, with names like Yimi Garcia and Nick Sandlin still sidelined.

A trade for a bullpen piece seems exceedingly likely for the squad, as some more stability would certainly go a long way for this Jays team, who lead the American League East.

Scouting Report

Clase has dominated for years with the Guardians, being a lockdown closer since 2021. In that time, he’s led all of the majors in saves twice, with 42 in 2022 and 44 in 2023. The most he’s ever had in a single season came in 2024, though, when he hurled 47.

His career ERA sits at an astonishing 1.88, and it’s easy to see why with his pitch mix. The 6-foot-2, 206-pounder tosses a cutter, slider, and sinker, with the cutter seeing 69% of his usage rate.

In 2025, his cutter has averaged 98.9 mph, contrasted by his 88.5 mph average on his slider. There’s nothing “cute” about his strategy; he’s going to blow hitters away with high heat and some movement. Before being placed on paid leave, he held a 3.23 ERA and 1.225 WHIP with 24 saves through the first half of this season.

Contract Status

Compared to most deals competitive teams would be making around this time of year, Clase’s contract is very club-friendly. He becomes a free agent in 2029, and even though the cost of his contract is back-loaded, he has club options built in for 2027 and 2028.

This season, he’s being paid $4.9 million, which will increase to $6.4-million next season, and then $10 million for 2027 and 2028.

As mentioned, trading for him would be a massive risk, but if he does end up returning, the upside is easy to see from both a statistical and contract point of view.

How would Clase have fit in with the Blue Jays?

Putting the big, flashing red light of the investigation aside for a moment, Clase would immediately become a top high-leverage reliever for the Jays if they were to acquire him.

Not only has Toronto’s bullpen been cycling through pitchers and injuries like there’s no tomorrow this year, but current closer Jeff Hoffman has struggled compared to his years with Philadelphia. He’s gone from an All-Star 2024 with a 2.17 ERA with the Phillies to a 4.78 ERA with the Jays in 2025. While he’s still collected 24 saves to this point, he hasn’t quite been his old self and hasn’t found consistency in the role.

Clase has shown a bit more stability this year in comparison and would be a great addition to any bullpen, not just the Jays. It’s simply a matter of whether or not Toronto or anyone else is willing to take their chances in a win-big or lose-it-all situation. The chances of Clase being traded were low before the suspension, but now, they are dead in the water.