Emmanuel Clase's AL Cy Young candidacy breaks long drought for relievers

The 2024 Finalists for major awards were announced on Monday, and to the surprise of absolutely no one, Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase was one of three players who could come away as the American League's Cy Young Award winner. Clase will be up against Detroit's Tarik Skubal and Kansas City's Seth Lugo as the American League Central division's representation across the board is beyond impressive.

Clase was dominant in 2024, finishing with a 0.61 ERA and 0.659 WHIP, along with an American League-leading 47 saves and a Major League-leading 66 games finished. This was the third straight year for both categories, but the first since 2021 that did not result in Clase leading the majors in saves. This resulted in Clase doing something that has not been done in over 15 years, being nominated for the Cy Young Award as a reliever.

The last time a relief pitcher was up for the award was when Francisco Rodriguez of the then-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim finished third in 2008. K-Rod set the still-standing single-season saves record (66) in that season, and considering that he still finished third, things do not seem to bode well for Clase's chances. Not that anyone should base their expectations on where Clase may finish on previous outcomes, but setting a Major League record over the course of an entire season was not enough to warrant a finish better than third in the eyes of the voters, and that requires mentioning here.

Of the three AL Finalists for the Cy Young, most expect the award to go to Skubal, and it is understandable why. Unlike Clase, Skubal is a starter, and that difference alone is usually enough to sort out the final three for the Cy Young Award and will most likely play a large factor in where each player finishes. Perhaps thought processes have changed this time, and Clase has a better chance than it seems, but considering it took this long to have another reliever in the mix, it doesn't appear to be in the cards.