When the Cleveland Guardians (then the Indians) acquired Emmanuel Clase from the Texas Rangers in 2020, it wasn’t immediately clear how impactful the trade would be. The trade, which sent veteran pitcher Corey Kluber to Texas in exchange for Clase and outfielder Delino DeShields, was met with mixed reactions. Kluber, a former Cy Young winner, had been one of the cornerstones of Cleveland’s rotation for years, and his departure signified a major shift. Yet, fast-forward to 2025, and it’s clear that the trade that brought Clase to Cleveland has paid huge dividends—especially in terms of bolstering the Guardians’ bullpen and securing their future.
At the time, the Kluber trade was a significant gamble for the Guardians. Kluber, despite an injury-riddled 2019, was still a fan favorite and a proven ace who had been instrumental in Cleveland’s successes in the 2010s. However, with his advancing age and the uncertainty surrounding his recovery from a shoulder injury, the Guardians’ front office decided to take a chance on Clase, a promising young closer with a blazing fastball.
Clase had only a brief stint in the majors with Texas in 2019 before being sent to Cleveland, but his potential was undeniable. Known for his electric velocity and pinpoint control, he was viewed as a potential game-changer in the bullpen. What the Guardians were betting on was Clase’s ability to develop into a dominant reliever, and it didn’t take long for the organization to see that their gamble was going to pay off.
Since joining the Guardians, Clase has become one of the most dominant closers in baseball. His fastball, regularly clocking in at 100 mph, combined with his devastating slider, has made him nearly unhittable. Over the years, he has established himself as one of the elite closers in the game, recording multiple seasons with over 30 saves and consistently posting ERA’s below 2.00.
In 2023 and 2024, Clase was instrumental in helping the Guardians secure their spot in the postseason, often coming in during high-leverage situations to lock down games. His ability to maintain his cool under pressure and his dominant stuff has made him a cornerstone of Cleveland’s bullpen—a unit that has long been one of the team’s strengths.
What truly sets Clase apart is his role in Cleveland’s playoff hopes. For a team that has built its success around strong pitching, having a reliable and dominant closer is crucial. Clase’s ability to shut the door in tight games has made him a fan favorite and a key figure in the Guardians’ pursuit of a World Series title. With the Guardians fighting for playoff positioning in both 2024 and 2025, Clase’s presence in the back end of the bullpen has proven invaluable.
While Cleveland’s starting rotation has often been the highlight of the team, it’s their bullpen—led by Clase—that has helped the team close out games when it counts. His continued dominance ensures that the Guardians are always in a strong position to secure wins in late innings, and it gives the team a weapon that most others can’t match.
Looking back on the trade, it’s clear that the Guardians made a savvy move by acquiring Clase. While Kluber’s tenure with Texas has been marked by inconsistency and injury setbacks, Clase has blossomed into one of the game’s best closers. The Guardians have effectively replaced a star pitcher with a star closer—someone who has provided immediate impact and has the potential to be a fixture in the bullpen for years to come.
Moreover, the acquisition of Clase has allowed Cleveland to continue its strategy of developing and maintaining a strong pitching staff. With Clase in the mix, Cleveland has not only maintained its competitive edge but also solidified its future in the postseason race.
As the Guardians look toward 2025 and beyond, the team’s bullpen remains one of their most potent weapons, and Clase is its crown jewel. While there may be additional moves to bolster the team’s offense or rotation, the Guardians know they have one of the game’s premier closers to anchor the back end of their bullpen.
The continued development of Clase, alongside other young arms in the Guardians’ system, gives the team a strong foundation as they aim for the postseason. The future is bright in Cleveland, and Emmanuel Clase will remain a key figure in their championship aspirations for years to come.
The trade that brought Emmanuel Clase to Cleveland will go down as one of the most astute moves in the franchise’s recent history. What was initially a risky deal has paid off in spades, with Clase becoming a dominant closer and an integral part of the Guardians’ success. As the team continues to build for the future, having a player of Clase’s caliber on the mound will be a major asset in their pursuit of postseason glory. Looking ahead, the Guardians’ trade for Clase is a perfect example of how calculated risks can shape the future of a franchise.
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