Big Question for Cleveland: Are the Guardians Still Financially Tied to Emmanuel Clase’s Deal?.NL
CLEVELAND, Ohio — While Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase is under indictment for allegedly throwing rigged pitches in games starting in 2023, a question has arisen about the guaranteed portion of the five-year $20 million contract he signed in 2022.
The last guaranteed year of the deal is in 2026 and it’s worth $6 million. The deal includes options for $10 million each in 2027 and 2028, but they are club options and not guaranteed.
However, each option contains a $2 million buyout that is considered guaranteed money.
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That’s potentially $10 million that the frugal Guardians could have tied up in a player that may have thrown his last pitch in the big leagues.
Clase and teammate Luis Ortiz are facing up to 65 years in prison for charges of fraud, bribery, money laundering and conspiracy, prosecutors from the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of New York say.
Major League Baseball is investigating them as well for allegations of throwing rigged pitches and receiving bribes and kickbacks for influencing prop bets by the pitches they threw in games.
MLB is expected to let the criminal case play out before rendering a decision on the two pitchers’ fate. If they face discipline from Commissioner Rob Manfred for violating MLB rules, according to sources, the Guardians will not have to pay what’s left of the guaranteed portion of Clase’s contract.
Ortiz was on a one-year deal at just above the league minimum of $760,000.
The MLB Players Association would not comment on Clase’s contract because the investigation is ongoing.
Clase and Ortiz, under the basic agreement and backed by the players association, have the right to go to an independent arbitrator if they face penalties from MLB.
Ortiz was arrested by the FBI on Sunday at Logan Airport in Boston. He was released on Monday after posting a $500,000 bail, but had to surrender his passport.
Clase is reportedly in the Dominican Republic and not in custody.
In a report by CDN Deportes, Clase told reporters that the phone calls the FBI intercepted were about rooster fighting and not placing illegal bets.
Clase and Ortiz are on the restricted list. Like all players, their salaries concluded at the end of the regular season. They do not count against the Guardians’ 40-man roster.
The lawyers for Clase and Ortiz say their clients are innocent.
Paul Hoynes, born in Cleveland, has been the beat writer for the Indians/Guardians since 1983. He attended Cathedral Latin High School in Cleveland and received a journalism degree from Marquette University. He…
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