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Surprising Trade Deadline Bullpen Target Linked to Yankees

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated Jun 21, 2025 8:46 PM ET

When it comes to relievers, the New York Yankees know how to expose a weakness—and they know how to fix them. Emmanuel Clase, the Guardians’ flamethrower closer, has endured an up-and-down 2025: 16 saves, a 3.69 ERA, 34 strikeouts in 33 appearances. He is well off his dominant career 1.86 ERA and 174 saves, but one MLB Insider thinks that he would be a good fit for the Yankees.

On the surface, Yankees fans would scratch their heads. They remember Clase from last year’s playoffs.

In last year’s ALCS, New York battered Clase for two runs in the ninth of Game 4, seizing an 8–6 victory and a commanding 3–1 series lead . Overall, Clase has a 6.00 ERA across five postseason appearances against the Yankees—six strikeouts, two blown saves.

That history hasn’t gone unnoticed.

In his latest trade-deadline column, New York Post columnist Jon Heyman named Clase a viable target. “He isn’t having his usual year after a rough offseason but Clase would be coveted if the perennially over‑achieving Guardians sell”

For the Yankees, this ticks several boxes.

Their rotation—anchored by Fried, Rodón and Schmidt—is solid. But their bullpen ranks just 10th in MLB with a 3.52 ERA, and they could use a high-velocity late-inning arm. Clase delivers triple-digit heat with a 99–100 mph cutter and late-inning experience, when sharp, he is one of the game's most feared ninth-inning arms .

Clase is only 27 years old and is under team control through the 2026 season, so he would not come cheap.

Still, if Cleveland opts to sell at July’s deadline, Clase could be the high-leverage complement the Yankees are missing. And based on postseason results? It wouldn’t come without a little extra swagger.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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