Guardians' Emmanuel Clase goes from Yankees trade target to concerning Cleveland story

The biggest concern the Cleveland Guardians were supposed to have for Emmanuel Clase in late July was the trade deadline. Would they move their star closer?

Instead, the Guardians have much bigger worries. Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave by MLB through Aug. 31 as part of MLB's sports-betting investigation, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Clase joins Guardians starter Luis Ortiz on leave tied to this investigation.

When Ortiz was placed on leave, there emerged two specific pitches that he threw well out of the zone that were called into question based on strike-or-ball wagers.

No such information has come out on Clase yet, but it still could.

In the meantime, the Guardians' trade deadline plans are thrown into total question.

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It had seemed they decided not to trade Clase anywhere, based on recent reports. That meant contenders like the Yankees had to look elsewhere for bullpen help.

But what does Cleveland do now? Is this enough to derail their second-half plans?

Cade Smith would be the lead candidate to be the closer. Does Cleveland go with that, or do they pivot entirely, trade Smith and blow the whole thing up?

The uncertainty meter in Cleveland is now sky high. No one knows what comes next. Trade deadline week just got a whole lot more hectic.

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