Emmanuel Clase betting investigation flips the script on Rangers' reliever search

Were the Cleveland Guardians likely to deal closer Emmanuel Clase before the MLB Trade Deadline? Considering the team is only 3.5 games out of the Wild Card, it was probably a long shot. But had Clase been made available, it's safe to say the Texas Rangers would have been interested.

Unfortunately for the Rangers, the Guardians and one of the best closers in the game, he definitely won't be dealt now. In fact, he may not pitch again this season.

With Emmanuel Clase off the board, where do the Texas Rangers turn at the deadline?

On Monday morning, Jeff Passan reported that Clase has been officially been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of MLB's sports-betting investigation. Not only is he the second Guardians player to be caught up in this investigation, but the move will have serious repercussions for the trade market and who the Texas Rangers could pursue before Thursday's deadline.

Clase has been one of the best closers in the game the last few years. Entering 2025, he had three straight seasons of over 40 saves and had never had more than four blown saves, and that high was three years ago.

This season, he has struggled a bit more, with 24 saves and already 5 blown saves. Some of those struggles could be chalked up to him wondering what team he was going to be on once the trade deadline arrived.

He's also an attractive target for any team looking for help at the back end of their bullpen, considering he's still under contract or arbitration eligible until after the 2029 season. That also had him being a closer who was going to demand a high price to pay.

With Emmanuel Clase being effectively suspended, the Guardians lose their top trade chip, should they have planned to deal with him at all. The Texas Rangers had they been eyeing the closer as a big pickup, now have to look elsewhere.