3 moves the Guardians need to make after Emmanuel Clase's suspension

So, this sucks.

While the Cleveland Guardians have fought back to stay in the postseason picture after their July swoon, they've been doing it with a patchwork rotation following the gambling-related suspension of starting pitcher Luis Ortiz.

Now, the bullpen is in shambles, as superstar closer Emmanuel Clase has been hit with a similar suspension that will keep him out until September due to the league opening up an investigation into gambling allegations against him.

So, with their star reliever and most valuable trade chip off the table (players on MLB's restricted list cannot be dealt or released), here are three things the Guardians can do to salvage the trade deadline.

3 backup plans for Guardians to salvage trade deadline after Emmanuel Clase suspension

1. Don't trade Cade Smith

Like Clase, Smith's name has popped up in trade rumors in recent weeks, though not nearly as often as the now-suspended closer's.

Smith will now likely step into the ninth inning gig in Cleveland for however long Clase is out, and it's worth hanging onto the 26-year-old reliever to find out what he's got in the most important role in the bullpen.

Following a ridiculous rookie season where he racked up a 1.91 ERA and 2.7 fWAR in 75 1/3 innings as Clase's primary set-up man, Smith hasn't been as good on the surface in 2025 (3.02 ERA and a walk rate that's climbed by about 50%) in 2025. However, 2.04 FIP suggests he's be elite under the surface, and his whiff, strikeout, and barrel rates are all in the 96th percentile or higher among qualified pitchers this year.

Thus, the first move the Guardians need to make is pretty obvious:. Keep Cade Smith.

2. Trade the rentals

With Clase now out of action for the next month (if not longer), the Guardians' chances of hanging around in the American League Wild Card chase have been trimmed.

Thus, the team may be better off retooling for 2026 by cashing in on their rentals and hoping that Clase (and Ortiz) will be deemed innocent and allowed to play next year.

Those rentals include outfielder Lane Thomas, backup catcher Austin Hedges, reliever Jakob Junis, and first baseman Carlos Santana. You could also throw Shane Bieber and Paul Sewald into this category since they both have options for next season, as does John Means ($6 million club option).

None of those players will return deadline hauls on their own, but a package deal involving multiple could pry a top prospect loose from a contender. Regardless, Cleveland should turn its attention to re-opening its competitive window in 2026, even if it takes a series of smaller, low-impact trades.

3. Add at least one long-term bat

Even though the Guardians are likely to be also-rans in the American League playoff picture this season, it would behoove them to focus on upgrading their offense with a proven MLB contributor.

They could target a controllable bat like Boston's Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu, or they could attempt to snag MLB-ready top prospect Owen Caissie from the Chicago Cubs in a blockbuster deal (which, admittedly, will be a lot harder to do without Clase).

Regardless of who it is, the Guardians need offense in the worst way. There are just three players on the roster producing at an above average rate this year according to wRC+ — Steven Kwan (115), Jose Ramirez (143), and Kyle Manzardo (108) — and the best of the bunch will turn 33 at the end of the season.

In conjunction with swapping out rentals, bringing in another good hitter will go a long way to helping Cleveland get a head start on the 2026 season.