2) The Mets aren’t trading for Emmanuel Clase
Emmanuel Clase may now be available; at least according to some of the latest MLB rumors. Needless to say, the dream of Clase pitching in the same bullpen as Edwin Diaz has gotten Mets fans scrambling to make mock trades to try figuring out what it will take to land the star closer.
Clase has a career 2.00 ERA through 238.1 innings as a big leaguer. This is not a drill. Having led the majors in saves in back-to-back seasons now, his availability would shake up some team’s relief corps in the best way possible. Don’t set your heart on it being the Mets.
Clase is already extended through 2026 with team options in 2027 and 2028. He’s affordable financially for anyone with a payroll hit of just $2.9 million this coming year. The Cleveland Guardians are in the driver’s seat here. Any team desperate for a closer, including the Texas Rangers who traded him to Cleveland once upon a time, are in the mix. Not the Mets. They already have their ninth inning man.
The probability of Clase even getting dealt feels less so because of how inexpensive he is for what he can do. He’d cost the Mets at least a top three prospect plus some MLB-ready pieces who remain on rookie deals. It’s a ton to give up for a guy who wouldn’t even get to do what he does best on the Mets, finish games.
Squelch this trade. It’s not happening with the Mets.