Insiders address if Guardians could trade All-Star closer before deadline

John Harper of SNY and Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com suggested during the All-Star break that the Cleveland Guardians could make closer Emmanuel Clase available ahead of the July 31 trade deadline.

On Friday, MLB insider Buster Olney of ESPN addressed the Guardians' plans for the rest of July. 

"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," Olney revealed. "Everyone else is available, with the Guardians hoping to get maximum value and find more offense."

Ramirez gave the Guardians a massive discount in 2022 when he signed a contract that has a full no-trade clause. There's no indication he will want to play home games outside of Cleveland anytime soon. Kwan is under club control through 2027, while Clase is under team control through 2028. 

That said, the 27-year-old would likely fetch the most value in a trade. According to Baseball Reference, Clase, who earned American League Reliever of the Year Award honors for the second time in 2024, converted 15 of 17 save opportunities with a 1.20 ERA in 29 appearances from May 1 through July 13. 

Specifically, an unnamed AL scout told Miller that the New York Yankees should take a bold swing and make a move for Clase. However, Guardians reporter Zack Meisel of The Athletic indicated that he will stay put through the end of the 2025 campaign. 

"Clase has 3.5 years of team control, all for less than $30 million total, a bargain for a top closer," Meisel explained. "There’s a horde of contenders desperately trying to convince Cleveland to move him — and odds are, they will — just not quite yet. Cleveland needs some bats. The Guardians could have more suitors in the offseason, when more teams have designs to contend and could talk themselves into forking over a haul for a long-term solution at closer."

The Guardians lost 10 games in a row from June 26 through July 6 but then won six of seven to enter the break at 46-49. They began Friday just 4.5 games out of a potential wild-card playoff spot ahead of a three-game home series against the Athletics (41-57). Cleveland then hosts the Baltimore Orioles (43-52) for a four-game tilt next week. 

The math shows the Guardians may not want to take calls about Clase's status before July ends.