Insider: Yankees could chase elite closer if seller emerges in al central
Insider: Yankees could chase elite closer if seller emerges in al central originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
When it comes to relievers, the New York Yankees know how to expose a weakness—and they know how to fix them. Emmanuel Clase, the Guardians' flamethrower closer, has endured an up-and-down 2025: 16 saves, a 3.69 ERA, 34 strikeouts in 33 appearances. He is well off his dominant career 1.86 ERA and 174 saves, but one MLB Insider thinks that he would be a good fit for the Yankees.
Advertisement
On the surface, Yankees fans would scratch their heads. They remember Clase from last year's playoffs.
In last year's ALCS, New York battered Clase for two runs in the ninth of Game 4, seizing an 8–6 victory and a commanding 3–1 series lead . Overall, Clase has a 6.00 ERA across five postseason appearances against the Yankees—six strikeouts, two blown saves.
May 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase (48) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Progressive Field.Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
That history hasn't gone unnoticed.
In his latest trade-deadline column, New York Post columnist Jon Heyman named Clase a viable target. 'He isn't having his usual year after a rough offseason but Clase would be coveted if the perennially over‑achieving Guardians sell'
Advertisement
For the Yankees, this ticks several boxes.
Their rotation—anchored by Fried, Rodón and Schmidt—is solid. But their bullpen ranks just 10th in MLB with a 3.52 ERA, and they could use a high-velocity late-inning arm. Clase delivers triple-digit heat with a 99–100 mph cutter and late-inning experience, when sharp, he is one of the game's most feared ninth-inning arms .
Clase is only 27 years old and is under team control through the 2026 season, so he would not come cheap.
Still, if Cleveland opts to sell at July's deadline, Clase could be the high-leverage complement the Yankees are missing. And based on postseason results? It wouldn't come without a little extra swagger.
Advertisement
Related: Yankees' Clarke Schmidt Thinks He would Have Finished Off the No-Hitter
Related: Can One Slow Roller Change the Yankees' Struggling Shortstop's Season?
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are a winning pair on date night at Game 4 of Stanley Cup Final
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce looked like quite the power couple as they were spotted on a date night at Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. The pair was seen holding hands as they arrived at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla., on Thursday night to watch the Edmonton Oilers take on the Florida Panthers for the coveted trophy. The pop star, 35, looked stylish in an Area Crystal Trim Track Jacket ($995) paired with the matching Crystal Trim Track Shorts ($595). She completed the look with the Prada's Buffalo Neoprene Lace Up Chelsea Ankle Boots, which are currently sold out. Meanwhile Kelce, 35, sported a red long-sleeved top and matching shorts. He finished off his look with a pair of red-and-white sneakers and a baseball cap. Once seated, the lovebirds looked cozy as they were shown on the TV broadcast footage chatting while Kelce showed the 'Cruel Summer' singer something on his phone. Swift sipped on a drink with a straw. At one point, the A-list couple stood up to cheer on the game. They beamed while applauding alongside other spectators. Swift and Kelce have been spending time together in Florida while the tight end rents a $20 million mansion in the Sunshine State to prepare for the forthcoming 2025-26 NFL season. The Kansas City Chiefs star reportedly snagged the Boca Raton property in April, bringing along his personal chef and his luxurious car collection. Last month, he went viral when he was seen shirtless shortly after wrapping up an intense workout. Swift and Kelce were first spotted in Florida together on a date night at Harry's in West Palm Beach on May 23. At the time, eyewitnesses caught them getting cozy in a booth. They were also photographed holding hands after dining at Buccan restaurant earlier this month.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Former Washington minority owner Fred Smith dies at 80
Fred Smith, a towering figure in American business, has died. He was 80. While in most contexts he will be remembered first and foremost as the founder of FedEx, Smith had a significant impact on the NFL. Advertisement He was the father of former Falcons coach and current Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Fred Smith also was a long-time minority owner of the Washington Commanders, and FedEx for many years held the naming rights to the stadium where the team plays. Beyond his company expressly requesting that the team abandon its former nickname in July 2020, Smith's efforts to extricate himself from the team placed significant pressure on former principal owner Daniel Snyder. Along with Robert Rothman and Dwight Schar, Smith worked to find a way out of their partnership with Snyder, culminating in Snyder buying their stakes in the franchise in early 2021. The unrest sparked by Smith and the other minority partners contributed to the focus on the business activities of the franchise as led by Snyder. There is an unmistakable link between the Smith/Rothman/Schar situation and the ultimate ouster of Snyder in 2023. Smith first acquired his interest in the team in 2003. He had attempted to secure an expansion franchise in Memphis in the 1990s, when the Panthers and Jaguars joined the NFL. With Elvis Presley's estate involved in the bid, the team would have been known as the Memphis Hound Dogs.
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
New York Yankees veteran reveals bizarre internal thinking team has when evaluating hitters
New York Yankees veteran Clint Frazier recently revealed a very odd analytics-driven approach the team has when it comes to how they view hitters on their roster. The influence of analytics on baseball has never been stronger. It started with the then-Oakland Athletics in the early 2000s and has expanded across the league to where many clubs base roster and in-game decisions strictly on data. And to the chagrin of some New York fans, Yankees general manager is a child of the analytics age. Advertisement Many around the team think he is the one really pulling the strings on a nightly basis. And manager Aaron Boone is just his avatar on the field. However, the impact analytics has on the franchise goes much deeper than that. Even in how they evaluate their hitters. And this week, former Yankee outfielder Clint Frazier revealed one bizarre example of it. 'I remember being told by a specific person in the analytics department they didn't believe in players getting hot,' Frazier said this week on the 'Foul Territory' podcast. 'That was their way of saying, for instance, I could be 55 for 55, and they would be like, he's not hot. He's going to cool down. They believed you were what you were. 'And in my mind, that's not using your eyes. This guy's on a scorcher right now. You've gotta run with the hot bat. I do feel sometimes they hired a few too many rocket scientist to try and make the lineup. Instead of a former player or a guy who has more experience writing the lineup.' Advertisement Frazier played with New York from 2017 to 2021. So it is unclear if they still have this sort of opinion on evaluations. However, this is the same franchise that brought in a scientist to develop torpedo bats for their less successful hitters this season. Either way, it is a worrisome outlook on the lack of feel for the game that is in the current Yankees management system. More New York Yankees news and rumors: Related Headlines
