Article: If Emmanuel Clase is Available, the Red Sox Need to Capitalize

[Brandon Glick]

With less than a week to go until the trade deadline, I believe it's of the utmost importance to engage in every baseball fan's favorite pastime: confession.

Since I don't see any raised hands, I'll volunteer to go first with my scalding hot take for this roster: the Red Sox should still trade Aroldis Chapman before the trade deadline. Yes, despite their pre-All-Star-break ten-game winning streak and current standing as the American League's final wild card, I firmly believe that Boston should trade its All-Star closer. And, yes, this is the same Aroldis Chapman who has a 1.34 ERA and a 39.5% strikeout rate in more than 40 innings this season.

So, why do I include such a heinous belief in my rolodex of unassailable baseball convictions? Well, it's the same reason I believe the team should trade Justin Wilson and Walker Buehler (if he has literally any value) at the trade deadline as well: the Red Sox's window of contention extends far beyond this year. Unless you strongly believe that they can win the World Series in 2025 (a notion I admittedly waffle on daily), why should the front office not prioritize the next few seasons, when the "Big Three" prospects are all a little more matured and experienced and, hopefully, there's some reinforcements in the rotation for Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello?

Remember, Chapman is a 37-year-old rental having his best season in ages. This isn't normal, and even if you believe this resurgence is sustainable for the next year or two, he's going to cost a lot of money to re-sign after this golden-age campaign. Wouldn't it be better if the bullpen had a stopper with a little more youth and team control on his side? Wouldn't it be nice if the Red Sox could trade Chapman for a nice haul — perhaps getting back some much-needed starting pitching help — and immediately replace him with Emmanuel Clase?

That rumor directly mentions the Cubs, though you can bet every contender under the sun will be bombarding Chris Antonetti's phones while trying to gauge Clase's availability. At 51-51 with a -35 run differential, while playing in the same division as the juggernaut Detroit Tigers, the Guardians may have a hard time convincing themselves that they are on track to repeat or improve upon their ALCS finish last year. If that's the case, they may make their elite closer available.

Now, Clase hasn't had his best season. Entering play on May 5, the Guardians' closer had a 5.87 ERA and 1.761 WHIP in 15 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old had given up 11 runs on 24 hits and three walks, a far cry from his performance in 2024 when he finished third in AL Cy Young voting. However, he's righted the ship since, having allowed just four earned runs since the start of May, a stretch of 32 2/3 innings. Thanks to the slow start, his Baseball Savant page isn't quite as jaw-dropping as it's been in years past, but he's still one of the best relievers in all of baseball.

In case you need reminding about his credentials, in 74 1/3 innings last year, he led the league in games finished (66) and saves (47), compiling an absurd 0.61 ERA with 66 strikeouts, and a laughable 0.659 WHIP. According to ERA+, Emmanuel Clase was 574% better than the average pitcher in 2024. Five hundred and seventy four percent. For reference, longtime Yankees closer Mariano Rivera has the best career ERA+ in history (205, or 105% better than league average).

With one year and $6.4 million ($4 million for luxury tax purposes) remaining on his deal after 2025 — plus two very friendly club options at $10 million per season in 2027 and 2028 — Clase is going to cost a pretty penny at the trade deadline if the Guardians move him. He might very well be the best player on the market, depending on what the Nationals decide to do with MacKenzie Gore. What would a Red Sox trade package for him have to look like? The Guardians need offense in the worst way, particularly in the outfield. Roman Anthony obviously isn't going anywhere, and Craig Breslow likely won't surrender Ceddanne Rafaela following the team's renewed focus on defense, but could Cleveland get them to part with Wilyer Abreu in a deal for Clase? Jarren Duran would be a preferred alternative from the Sox's perspective, but with less team control and nearly three years on Abreu in age, the Guardians might not accept him as the centerpiece for their esteemed fireman.

Prospects would likely have to be involved as well — Jhostynxon Garcia stands out as an obvious candidate if the major league outfield isn't pilfered — but the overarching idea remains: Clase is going to drain any acquiring team of valuable resources. It's not often a franchise can justify that kind of expenditure on a reliever, but there's few relievers with his track record and team-friendly arrangements. If it feels untenable for the Red Sox to surrender Chapman at the deadline given their playoff positioning, perhaps a trade for one of the great modern closers will make that notion a little more bearable.

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[mvp 78]

Duran AND prospects for a closer? I don't see how that would work for any of Breslow's models. 

I think Clase should turn things around, but that price is way too steep. 

[moonslav59]

Not worth the return cost, IMO.

[mvp 78]

1 minute ago, moonslav59 said:

Not worth the return cost, IMO.

I wouldn't trade Duran for Clase straight up, let alone add prospects to the deal. 

[Jasonbay44]

Absolutely horrendous proposal. Duran and prospects for a closer is a joke of a trade. 

[notin]

I’m going on record as predicting Clase to Chicago (NL) for RHP Ben Brown, OF Owen Caissie, and 2b/3b James Triantos…

[Brandon Glick]

4 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

I wouldn't trade Duran for Clase straight up, let alone add prospects to the deal. 

 

3 hours ago, Jasonbay44 said:

Absolutely horrendous proposal. Duran and prospects for a closer is a joke of a trade. 

Whatever your feelings on whether Clase is worth the cost, that's going to be the price for him. Chapman, back in 2016 as a rental, was worth two of the better prospects in baseball, plus a MLB reliever. Duran could maybe be the centerpiece of the return, but Cleveland will be able to get a lot more elsewhere on the market if the Red Sox won't include prospects.

[notin]

51 minutes ago, Brandon Glick said:

 

Whatever your feelings on whether Clase is worth the cost, that's going to be the price for him. Chapman, back in 2016 as a rental, was worth two of the better prospects in baseball, plus a MLB reliever. Duran could maybe be the centerpiece of the return, but Cleveland will be able to get a lot more elsewhere on the market if the Red Sox won't include prospects.

Almost 10 years ago and not really the norm.

Last year Tanner Scott was the best closer dealt, and he did net Miami a solid return headlined by Robby Snelling, who was a BA Top 100 prospect.  But the other 3 players were fairly nondescript, with the best being Graham Pauley, who profiles as a Romy Gonzalez type.

Carlos Estevez was the second best, and he was worth two unranked pitching prospects.

Clase is better than either of them, but I am not so sure he is worth much more than 3+ years of Duran.  It likely comes down to whether or not Cleveland wants MLB talent or high end prospects.  I don’t think he’s worth both if the talent in question is Duran.

Minnesota has been asking for multiple Top 100 prospects for either Jhoan Duran (no relation) or Griffin Jax, but that’s served no purpose except ending conversations quickly.  And reportedly they didn’t ask for controllable MLB talent along with prospects, let alone MLB All Star talent like Duran…

[mvp 78]

21 minutes ago, Brandon Glick said:

Whatever your feelings on whether Clase is worth the cost, that's going to be the price for him. Chapman, back in 2016 as a rental, was worth two of the better prospects in baseball, plus a MLB reliever. Duran could maybe be the centerpiece of the return, but Cleveland will be able to get a lot more elsewhere on the market if the Red Sox won't include prospects.

If that's the cost, Breslow isn't making that trade. If he already passed on Cease and Salas, he's passing on Clase. 

[TedYazPapiMookie]

49 minutes ago, Brandon Glick said:

 

Whatever your feelings on whether Clase is worth the cost, that's going to be the price for him. Chapman, back in 2016 as a rental, was worth two of the better prospects in baseball, plus a MLB reliever. Duran could maybe be the centerpiece of the return, but Cleveland will be able to get a lot more elsewhere on the market if the Red Sox won't include prospects.

Clase is owed $4Million, $10Million and $10Million over the next three seasons.  Trading Duran is tough but with all the fair-weather Duran fans and the ridiculous support for a far lesser player in Abreu I would think the fan base would love this deal. 

I don't want to see Duran traded but if you keep the really bad manager who plays him LF where he can't play defense to his full skill level, then trade him and let him flourish elsewhere in CF where he belongs.  This deal would be a huge upgrade for the pitching staff AND it's incredible to get the best closer in baseball for these prices.  The prospects can come from the over-rated blocked players in AAA and the reliever needs to be one of Cora's favorites who doesn't deserve to be a favorite like Kelly or Winckowski.

[Brandon Glick]

56 minutes ago, notin said:

Almost 10 years ago and not really the norm.

Last year Tanner Scott was the best closer dealt, and he did net Miami a solid return headlined by Robby Snelling, who was a BA Top 100 prospect.  But the other 3 players were fairly nondescript, with the best being Graham Pauley, who profiles as a Romy Gonzalez type.

Carlos Estevez was the second best, and he was worth two unranked pitching prospects.

Clase is better than either of them, but I am not so sure he is worth much more than 3+ years of Duran.  It likely comes down to whether or not Cleveland wants MLB talent or high end prospects.  I don’t think he’s worth both if the talent in question is Duran.

Minnesota has been asking for multiple Top 100 prospects for either Jhoan Duran (no relation) or Griffin Jax, but that’s served no purpose except ending conversations quickly.  And reportedly they didn’t ask for controllable MLB talent along with prospects, let alone MLB All Star talent like Duran…

I think this is a fair take, but both those relievers you mentioned were rentals, and neither of whom are quite as good as Clase is. Clase is earning very little (at least compared to other relievers on the open market) and is still young.

Plus, while I, as a Red Sox fan, understand this community's love for Duran, I don't think anyone is valuing him as an All-Star talent right now. I think most would argue that was his ceiling, not the norm. Which, of course, you could argue means that the team should hold onto him in hopes that he boosts his trade value back up, but then you've got an outfield logjam situation at play.

The point being: it's going to be messy no matter what you do. Might as well get one of the very best players in baseball if you're going to do something big.

[notin]

30 minutes ago, Brandon Glick said:

I think this is a fair take, but both those relievers you mentioned were rentals, and neither of whom are quite as good as Clase is. Clase is earning very little (at least compared to other relievers on the open market) and is still young.

Plus, while I, as a Red Sox fan, understand this community's love for Duran, I don't think anyone is valuing him as an All-Star talent right now. I think most would argue that was his ceiling, not the norm. Which, of course, you could argue means that the team should hold onto him in hopes that he boosts his trade value back up, but then you've got an outfield logjam situation at play.

The point being: it's going to be messy no matter what you do. Might as well get one of the very best players in baseball if you're going to do something big.

I think I pegged Clase’s value pretty well in the Cubs trade - two BA Top 100 prospects and a controllable (but possibly fungible) MLB pitcher…

[dgalehouse]

Mets get hard throwing ( although erratic) left handed reliever, Gregory Soto from the Orioles for two prospects. 

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

9 hours ago, TedYazPapiMookie said:

Clase is owed $4Million, $10Million and $10Million over the next three seasons.  Trading Duran is tough but with all the fair-weather Duran fans and the ridiculous support for a far lesser player in Abreu I would think the fan base would love this deal. 

I don't want to see Duran traded but if you keep the really bad manager who plays him LF where he can't play defense to his full skill level, then trade him and let him flourish elsewhere in CF where he belongs.  This deal would be a huge upgrade for the pitching staff AND it's incredible to get the best closer in baseball for these prices.  The prospects can come from the over-rated blocked players in AAA and the reliever needs to be one of Cora's favorites who doesn't deserve to be a favorite like Kelly or Winckowski.

You had me at "really bad manager."

[moonslav59]

15 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

I wouldn't trade Duran for Clase straight up, let alone add prospects to the deal. 

Agreed... not even for two top rentals.

[Hitch]

18 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

I wouldn't trade Duran for Clase straight up, let alone add prospects to the deal. 

Agreed.

This deadline is heading right where I feared all along - indecision due to being too good to sell and not good enough to buy.

[moonslav59]

I read somewhere about Yoshida with cash being involved in the trade for Clase. If this were possible, I'd try hard, here.

He does have a year left, so maybe it would be worth a strong bid.

The article suggested Romero, cash and Yoshida, but thought it would take Jh Garcia or Arias.

[notin]

2 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I read somewhere about Yoshida with cash being involved in the trade for Clase. If this were possible, I'd try hard, here.

He does have a year left, so maybe it would be worth a strong bid.

The article suggested Romero, cash and Yoshida, but thought it would take Jh Garcia or Arias.

Zero chance the Sox get Clase for Yoshida, Romero,  Arias, and Password…

[moonslav59]

Just now, notin said:

Zero chance the Sox get Clase for Yoshida, Romero,  Arias, and Password…

I disagree. Yoshida, almost all his money plus Garcia and Romero would be a very competitive offer. Subbing Arias for Romero would seal the deal, IMO.

[notin]

34 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I disagree. Yoshida, almost all his money plus Garcia and Romero would be a very competitive offer. Subbing Arias for Romero would seal the deal, IMO.

Myself and Guardians GM Stephen Vogt still disagree.

Yoshida, even free, does nothing for the Guardians except block CJ Krayfus.  Arias is nice.  Password is probably overrated by Sox fans.  Soxprospects. calls him a “potential platoon outfielder”.

So essentially - Arias for Clase?  I doubt it comes close..

[mvp 78]

11 hours ago, Hitch said:

Agreed.

This deadline is heading right where I feared all along - indecision due to being too good to sell and not good enough to buy.

Deja vu

[Bellhorn04]

12 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Deja vu

4 years of Groundhog Day.

[Hitch]

49 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Deja vu

Indeed. And would take huge balls to break it by selling.

[moonslav59]

Jh Garcia hits both RHPs and LHPs well enough, and then some.

He's good on D, but most likely corner OF.

I think some short-change him.

[Jasonbay44]

On 7/25/2025 at 12:57 PM, Brandon Glick said:

 

Whatever your feelings on whether Clase is worth the cost, that's going to be the price for him. Chapman, back in 2016 as a rental, was worth two of the better prospects in baseball, plus a MLB reliever. Duran could maybe be the centerpiece of the return, but Cleveland will be able to get a lot more elsewhere on the market if the Red Sox won't include prospects.

And if that’s what it costs it’s a HARD pass. Clase isn’t making this team a World Series contender and no reliever is worth Jarren Duran AND prospects. Let someone else overpay. 

[Jasonbay44]

 

[Duran Is The Man]

On 7/25/2025 at 11:57 AM, Brandon Glick said:

 

Whatever your feelings on whether Clase is worth the cost, that's going to be the price for him. Chapman, back in 2016 as a rental, was worth two of the better prospects in baseball, plus a MLB reliever. Duran could maybe be the centerpiece of the return, but Cleveland will be able to get a lot more elsewhere on the market if the Red Sox won't include prospects.

they aren't going to get s*** for him now. LOL.

[Duran Is The Man]

On 7/26/2025 at 7:32 PM, Jasonbay44 said:

And if that’s what it costs it’s a HARD pass. Clase isn’t making this team a World Series contender and no reliever is worth Jarren Duran AND prospects. Let someone else overpay. 

all of his trade proposals are terrible for the Sox.

[dgalehouse]

37 minutes ago, Jasonbay44 said:

 

If the Lords of Baseball had any integrity they would cut all ties with the gambling web sites.  But they won't because they are greedy. 

[mvp 78]

43 minutes ago, Jasonbay44 said:

 

💰🤑💸