The Chicago Cubs have been caught by the Milwaukee Brewers, but Chicago will still be buyers ahead of the Major League Baseball trade deadline on July 31.
The Cubs will look to solidify the bullpen, and Chicago is reportedly interested in a star closer. MLB insider Francys Romero reports that the Cubs are monitoring the trade situation of Cleveland Guardians star closer Emmanuel Clase.
“The Chicago Cubs are one of the teams most actively monitoring Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, according to industry sources,” Romero wrote on X.
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With Cleveland out of a playoff spot, Clase’s name has come up in trade rumors. He would be one of the top high-leverage relievers available, and MLB insider Jim Bowden believes Cleveland is open to trading Clase by the deadline.
“The Guardians need to rebuild their offense around future Hall of Famer José Ramírez, and they could use the back of their bullpen — either Emmanuel Clase or Cade Smith — to make it happen,” Bowden wrote.
Clase is in the fourth year of his five-year, $20 million deal. But, there are club options in 2027 and 2028 for $10 million each season, so an acquiring team can have him under control for three-and-a-half seasons.
If the Cubs do trade for Clase, he could take over the closer’s role or be a set-up man and solidify the backend of the bullpen. Clase is 5-2 with a 2.74 ERA and is 23-for-37 on saves.
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