Guardians’ potential Emmanuel Clase replacement officially hits free agency

There are some MLB relievers that are synonymous with ninth inning dominance. And, prior to getting suspended, Emmanuel Clase arguably stood at the top of that mountain thanks to his nasty cutter and wipeout slider. 

But he’s nowhere to be found due to that aforementioned suspension, and every indication makes it seem like his time with the Guardians has come to an end regardless of the results of the investigation. 

While Cade Smith held his own as the Guardians closer after Clase got suspended, the Guardians have a golden chance to add some reinforcements to their bullpen this offseason. 

And that list of potential options had some signature names added to it yesterday thanks to Robert Suárez opting out of the final two years of his contract with the San Diego Padres. 

Suárez was on a five-year, $46 million deal that he signed after the 2022 season, and he racked up a NL-leading 40 saves in 2025. He’s one of the best relief arms in baseball, and would turn the Guardians’ bullpen into a generational stable of arms. 

Robert Suárez would be a perfect fit in the Guardians’ bullpen 

Suárez’s journey to MLB stardom was a circuitous one, as pitched in Nippon Professional Baseball from 2018 to ‘21 before signing a one-year contract with the Padres. It proved to be one of the shrewdest signings in recent MLB history. 

He recorded a 2.27 ERA in 47 2/3 innings while serving as the set-up man in front of Josh Hader, which helped him earn that aforementioned five-year contract. 

He missed the first half of the 2023 season due to elbow inflammation but responded well in 2024 in his first season as the Padres’ full-time closer. 

He’s combined for a 2.87 ERA and 76 saves in 134 2/3 innings since then. He was an All-Star both years and also has a 2.45 ERA in 14 2/3 career postseason innings.

While this year’s free agent class is stacked with marquee free agents, Suárez stands out as the top option, which would be a huge boon for a Guardians bullpen that lost arguably the game’s best reliever.

Smith impressed in his first run as the Guardians closer, but Suárez stands out as a top-tier option who would immediately stand out as the top option in Cleveland’s loaded bullpen. 

The fly in the ointment here is his potential price tag. Suárez opted out of the final two years of his contract that would have paid him $8 million a season, so he’s clearly going to ask for more than that in free agency. 

His asking price will likely start at $12+ million a year, which is a steep price (but worth it). On the other side, Clase was/is set to make $6.4 million next season — another stark reminder of how much the Guardians lost when he got suspended. 

Suárez is expensive, but there’s no denying he’s worth any penny. The Guardians have some tight pursestrings, but also don’t have a ton of money tied up in contracts for 2026. Suárez would be a great way for them to take advantage of that payroll space.