The Boston Red Sox are having a difficult season. They are 43-45 after being projected to contend in the American League East.
They are only six games back in the division and three back in the Wild Card race, but haven't performed up to par.
Boston has also traded Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. That certainly has hurt the roster in several ways.
Mac Cerullo of The Boston Herald listed Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase as somebody the Red Sox could target at the deadline.
"Clase has three years of club control remaining — one year on his five-year deal plus two club options — so he still fits their timeline, but if the Guardians decided they could land a haul for their closer then perhaps he could be moved. Like [Jarren] Duran, Clase would represent a coup for the Red Sox bullpen, both complementing Chapman in the late innings this year while solidifying the closer spot for the next two," Cerullo wrote.
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Clase hasn't been quite as dominant this year as he was in 2024, but he still is putting together a strong season with the Guardians. He's 4-1 with a 3.28 ERA in 37 appearances and has racked up 18 saves.
Having him and Aroldis Chapman at the back end of the bullpen could give the Red Sox a great chance to bounce back into contention and be a threat down the stretch.
The Red Sox were busy in the offseason, adding several key pieces like Chapman, Walker Buehler, Garrett Crochet and Alex Bregman. But so far, they have not been able to put anything together.
But an All-Star closer could certainly change the outlook of the club and give them a better chance to compete later this season.
We'll see if the Red Sox decide to make a move for Clase.
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