The Cleveland Guardians are facing significant uncertainty after closer Emmanuel Clase was placed on non-disciplinary leave amid Major League Baseball’s gambling investigation. This development, announced earlier this week, has shifted the team’s focus away from trade deadline plans to addressing the implications of the ongoing inquiry.
Guardians Leadership Addresses Team’s Response to Clase’s Suspension
Before Monday’s game, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt and President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti spoke openly about the difficult situation. Vogt expressed the team’s shock and disappointment, saying,
“It stinks. It hurts. It’s not something we saw coming, not something that we anticipated.”
He emphasized the emotional impact on the players while highlighting unity, stating,
“It’s okay to be upset, it’s okay to be hurting, but we’re in this together, and it’s just a reminder that this game is fragile. This game is special, and it was just a reminder of, we have to do this together and we’re going to get through it, but it’s going to be hard.”
Antonetti focused on the organization’s preparedness for such events, noting the educational efforts around gambling rules,
“I think what I can say is that we spent a lot of time and I think every player is educated on the rules around gambling and Major League baseball had training and spring training for all of our players.”
He stressed caution about drawing conclusions before the investigation’s completion, adding,
“Beyond that I want to be careful. I don’t think we should pre-judge what the outcome will be other than that we know they have been placed on the non-disciplinary paid suspension.”
Uncertainty Surrounding the Team’s Closing Role
With Clase sidelined, questions have arisen about who will assume the closer role moving forward. While Cade Smith is seen as a potential candidate, Vogt explained the team will avoid an immediate designation.
“We’re not going to name a closer. We’re going to go by committee for right now. Putting guys how we typically use the bullpen so we’re not naming one person,”
Vogt said. He added that the closing spot could evolve organically,
“The closer you’ll see different people in the ninth could organically end up being one person, but for now, we’re not going to officially name a closer. We need to see how this plays out.”
Guardians Focus on Moving Forward Amid Ongoing Investigation
Antonetti acknowledged the emotional weight the investigation carries for everyone associated with the Guardians.
“Each person, each player, each staff member has to process things in their own way and feel whatever they feel,”
he said, underscoring that individual reactions differ.
“I’m not certainly in a position to tell anyone how to feel, but I think what’s important is that we understand what the reality is and figure out how do we move forward from here and that’s really the focus and what we’ve talked about is it is what it is.”
The team remains focused on the future despite the unclear timeline for MLB’s investigation resolution. Until more information is provided, the Guardians must adapt without their star closer and maintain stability through collective effort.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Emmanuel Clase’s salary?
A. Right now, Clase is under a contract with Cleveland that he agreed to in 2022, which benefits the team.
For the rest of this deal, his base salary will be $2.9 million for 2024 and $4.9 million for 2025.