Last season, the Cleveland Guardians had the best bullpen in baseball, and it wasn’t particularly close. They were loaded with talent and had the best closer in the game, Emmanuel Clase, throwing the ninth inning of games.
After Clase struggled in the postseason, he’s yet to recover. This season, the righty has gotten off to a shockingly bad start, resulting in manager Stephen Vogt opting to take him out of the closer role for the time being.
But this situation reminds the baseball world of the importance of relief pitching. Even the Guardians could use an additional high-leverage arm at the back end of games, and there’s no better reliever expected to be on the trade market than St. Louis Cardinals star Ryan Helsley.
It’s important to note this idea wouldn’t be to replace Clase and take him out of the closer role for good. Instead, it would be a move similar to the San Diego Padres’ usage of Robert Suarez and Tanner Scott last season.
If the Guardians are willing to part ways with a few top prospects, they could add another flame-thrower to a bullpen that’s already loaded with talent.
This idea would take a lot of pressure off Clase, giving him Helsley and Cade Smith to fall back on when he struggles.
It could become especially important in the postseason, considering Clase struggled quite a bit last October.
Giving the Guardians another arm like Helsley would be costly, but it would be a huge move toward winning the American League Central and American League Pennant.
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