Dodgers Could Trade for All-Star Closer Emmanuel Clase, Says The Athletic Insider
The winter of Andrew Friedman continues with the Dodgers’ recent signing of Japanese pitching sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Landing Shohei Ohtani and Yamamoto gives L.A. the top two free agents on the market this offseason.
This is also in addition to the team trading for ace Tyler Glasnow to shore up the front part of their starting rotation. It has been a dream offseason for the Dodgers so far, but it seems that they may not be done just yet.
MLB Insider Jim Bowden of The Athletic is reporting that L.A. could look into trading for All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase from the Cleveland Guardians.
“I’ll give you a sleeper for the Dodgers,” Bowden said. “Don’t be surprised if they make a trade for Emmanuel Clase from Cleveland.”
The Dodgers have been linked to free-agent closer Josh Hader this winter, so it would make sense for them to look at Clase. There have been rumors that Cleveland could be looking to move him this offseason, and the Dodgers certainly have the prospect capital to make a deal happen.
It would take multiple high-end prospects to land Clase, but it could be worth it. He has five more years of team control, including two team options, and he would headline the bullpen for this Dodgers team.
Clase also wouldn’t cost them much in terms of salary. He is owed $2.9 million this coming season, $4.9 million in 2025, $6.4 million in 2026, and then two years with team options for $10 million in 2027 and 2028.
“I don’t see them doling out another huge contract,” Bowden said, “they just spent their billion dollars. But don’t think Andrew Friedman is done. And Dave Roberts. They’re not done.”
Last season with the Guardians, Clase posted an ERA of 3.22 in 75 appearances. He had 44 saves for Cleveland and has made the All-Star team in each of the last two seasons.
He is undoubtedly one of the best closers in baseball, and L.A. would love to have him close games for them for the next half decade.
If the Dodgers were to pull off a trade for Clase, it would move Evan Phillips back to being a setup man and fireman. Phillips has always seemed to thrive in that role, which would be even better for the Dodgers’ bullpen.
It remains to be seen if the Dodgers will pull the trigger on any deal for Clase, but it’s an interesting thought. The front office seems to be all-in right now, and this move would further push that narrative.
Photo Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
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They need to make room on the 40-man roster, and trading more than 1 of their rosterees [4 catchers] for 1 very good player is key, but they have higher priorities than obtaining a closer, such as a slugger for left field or even a starting pitcher for one year only, since in 2025 they might add to the rotation: (1) Ohtani (2) Gonsolin (3) Dustin May and (4) Kershaw, and may be forced to deal with an improved Gavin Stone, Michael Grove, Hurt, Frasso, Landon Knack and others at AAA banning on the clubhouse door and requiring slots on the 40- man roster.
Screw the Dodgers! If they want to compete I a league where they have no competition let them start their own sport. The rest of the league should just drop out and refuse to play them!
Settle down. It’s just December. Merry Christmas..
Exactly! Remember the Padres were supposed to win the world series with all the stars they collected last year! Dodger fans are still laughing at that!
I love the smell of copium in the morning! Don’t be mad at the Dodgers, be mad at your favorite teams cheap skate owner whose pocketing $100 mil in revenue sharing every year and doing nothing with it. Oh and it’s baseball…the Dodgers could have the best player in the sport at every position and still not win.
Oh….. Eric, you poor baby ?, are you feeling hurt? Well sorry, there’s more pain coming. Maybe you just shouldn’t read the message boards anymore. Dodger blue!!
Relax, Eric,
It’s only money and baseball. If you don’t like the Dodgers it will be a long year for you and your team. Merry Christmas!!
Just sad your team cannot afford the talent,Dodgers did nothing for two years , no one said anything , except frustrated Dodgers Fans,They waited with patience and this is the outcome,I can understand your frustration because chances of signing two Japanese stars of such magnitude is very rarely ever happened ,and may not again for a long long time.
Wah wah wah
Stop hating, they aren’t just getting these guys for free. They are using their own prospects that they built over yrs of hard work, and now when they are using them to cash in, they are considered not trying to play with any competition? The whole point of an offseason is so you shouldn’t have any holes on your team to begin the season!
Waaaaaaa….. cry baby, cry.
Why don’t you just take any player you want….OK? Maybe the dopey commissioner can make a special new rule…just for the Dodgers? If the Dodgers want you, your contract status with another team doesn’t matter!!! Do you want Jose Ramirez? No problem!!! Since you’re the Dodgers, we will just VOID Jose’s contract with the Cleveland team and send him right over to you!!!
Great idea!!!!
This would be the absolute dream for me. This guy has been my white whale for YEARS now. I’d much rather have him than Hader. His stuff is ridiculous and he just has that swagger that great closers possess. Get it done Dodgers!
I like this possibility
Dodgers have the prospects and really need a top closer
Right? We should absolutely make a deal!
They will over pay with prospects and or starting players for any additional trades this offseason.
No team will give them a good deal. Doesn’t mean they won’t get one done.
A lot of fans upset at the Dodgers who should be upset at their own owners. Most owners either want to win or want to profit. Dodgers happen to understand that winning leads to profit. Throw in a great history and excellent farm system and it’s easy to see why fans of other teams want to hate and sob.