Guardians Rumors: MLB insider reveals Emmanuel Clase could join 2 vets in trade talks

The Guardians’ trade deadline path is beginning to get more clear by the day. While the team’s front office hasn’t said anything publicly, Cleveland’s fate as a seller seems more set in stone with every loss and every leak. 

Both of those ideas were reinforced on Sunday, as the Guardians dropped their 10th game in a row about four hours after USA Today insider Bob Nightengale dropped a report that shined some light on Cleveland’s deadline plans. 

“The Cleveland Guardians are expected to unload first baseman Carlos Santana, who could be a nice fit for the Boston Red Sox, while also potentially moving outfielder Lane Thomas and perhaps closer Emmanuel Clase.Clase should bring in a haul of prospects if the Guardians move him. He is under team control through 2028, owed $6.4 million in 2026 with $10 million club options in 2027 and 2028,” wrote Nightengale.

Guardians Rumors: MLB insider reveals Emmanuel Clase could join 2 vets in trade talks

While nothing Nightengale reported is new news, it’s another report that links the Guardians to being a seller, which is looking more and more like a forgone conclusion. 

Santana’s name has been floated in trade rumors since the Guardians were in the thick of the postseason race at the beginning of June, so seeing him traded wouldn’t be much of a surprise at this point. 

He’s close to forty, is on an expiring deal and has been one of the few productive players on the Guardians this year. He’ll have moderate value on the trade market, and the Guardians should strike now, both to recoup some value for the veteran but also so they can open up more playing time for Kyle Manzardo. 

Thomas is another Guardians veteran who has been a trade rumor mainstay this year despite having a nightmare year. Thomas is slashing just .160./.246/.272 in 39 games this year, and was placed on the injured list on Sunday due to plantar fasciitis symptoms. 

It’s his second time hitting the injured list this year with the injury; he also spent some time on the injured list earlier this year with a right wrist injury. 

Thomas is set to be a free agent after the season so the Guardians could trade him at the deadline to avoid losing him for nothing in the offseason, but there’d be no chance they’d be able to trade him for the kind of return they gave up for him last year.

And then there’s Clase. We’ve already highlighted the reasons why the Guardians should consider trading him at this year’s deadline, and it seems clear that Cleveland’s front office is also debating the merits of trading the former All-Star. 

Yes, Clase is one of the best closers in baseball and is coming off a record-setting 2024 campaign, but he struggled immensely in the postseason and is in the midst of a subpar (by his standards) season. 

Clase on an affordable and flexible contract, and could get a king’s ransom in return if the Guardians elect to trade him.

At this point, trading him should be a no-brainer.