2025 Fantasy Baseball: How did my Class "A" closer become a Clase Failure?

Emmanuel Clase, Cleveland Guardians

Before 2025, Clase was a lockdown closer for the Guardians, converting 157 of 181 save opportunities. From 2021 to 2024, he surrendered just 10, 11, and 5 runs annually, boasting stellar ERAs (1.29, 1.36, 0.61) and WHIPs (0.96, 0.73, 0.66). Even in a down year in 2023, Clase outperformed most closers with a 3.22 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 64 strikeouts, and 44 saves, despite 12 blown saves and nine losses.

This season, however, Clase has stumbled out of the gate. Over 10.1 innings, he’s allowed nine runs, 20 baserunners, and one home run, with only nine strikeouts. His 7.84 ERA and 2.23 WHIP are alarming, and he’s converted just 4 of 6 save chances while notching three wins. Last week, Cleveland leaned on him for three straight games: two clean saves (1.1 innings, no runs, one hit, one walk, one strikeout) followed by a blown save where he coughed up three runs and five baserunners in one inning. The Guardians rested him over the past two nights due to the workload and his shaky outing.

Cade Smith’s Emergence

Smith has seized the spotlight, securing back-to-back saves against the Yankees with just 15 pitches. His 2024 campaign was electric (1.91 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 103 strikeouts over 75.1 innings), signaling closer potential. This year, Smith sports a 1.38 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 16 strikeouts across 13 innings, making him a viable threat to Clase’s role.

Clase’s Cutter Concerns

Clase’s cutter, used 77.6% of the time in 2024, averaged 99.6 mph and held batters to a .171 average, with six doubles and three home runs over 217 at-bats. This season, the pitch’s velocity has dipped slightly to 99.4 mph, but the damage is significant: batters are hitting .371 with three doubles, a triple, and a home run over 55 at-bats. His strikeout rate with the cutter has also dropped from 22.1% to 20.0%.

Outlook and Fantasy Implications

The Guardians remain committed to Clase as their closer, likely viewing his struggles as a mechanical hiccup, causing confidence issues. To lower his ERA to 3.00, he’d need 16.2 scoreless innings with minimal hits to salvage his WHIP. While Cleveland’s leash is long, fantasy managers in shallow leagues are eyeing the panic button. Cade Smith’s stellar performance makes him a must-own insurance policy. Fantasy owners should hope Clase rediscovers his elite form to erase early damage, but securing Smith as a hedge is prudent.