Dodgers Linked to All-Star Closer on Trade Market Even After Spending $1 Billion in Free Agency

Andrew Friedman is going nuclear this winter.

Despite spending over $1 billion in free agency this offseason, it seems that the Dodgers may not be done adding talent to the team.

MLB Insider Jim Bowden of The Athletic is reporting that the Dodgers could be a sleeper team to trade for Cleveland Guardians All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase. 

The Guardians have potentially looked into moving him this winter, and this is the time for the Dodgers to strike.

“I’ll give you a sleeper for the Dodgers,” Bowden said. “Don’t be surprised if they make a trade for Emmanuel Clase from Cleveland.”

"The Dodgers are pedal to the metal. It's not going to stop."

After reportedly signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million contract, our own @JimBowdenGM reports that the #Dodgers aren't done trying to add 👀@Dodgers | #HotStove pic.twitter.com/oeIZQD4xs8

— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) December 22, 2023

Clase would give the Dodgers one of the best closers in the game today and would set them up well in their bullpen. The team has been linked with free agent closer Josh Hader all winter, so the interest in landing Clase makes sense.

Clase posted an ERA of 3.22 last season with the Guardians over 75 appearances, and he also had 44 saves. He has made the All-Star team in each of the last two seasons, and he would give L.A. a reliable guy in the late innings.

“I don’t see them doling out another huge contract, they just spent their billion dollars,” Bowden said. “But don’t think Andrew Friedman is done. And Dave Roberts. They’re not done.”

Trading for Clase would require the team to part with multiple high-end prospects, but the Dodgers have the farm system to make it happen. Plus, he has five more years of team control, which is something that the Dodgers value immensely. 

He is on the books next season at just $2.9 million, then $4.9 million in 2025 and $6.4 million in 2026. Clase then has two years of club options for $10 million in 2027 and 2028.

The cost for the Dodgers would be worth it, and he would headline their bullpen for years to come. Clase would also allow current closer Evan Phillips to slot back in as a setup man, which is a role he’s always thrived in.