CLEVELAND, OHIO – JULY 18: Emmanuel Clase #48 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates the team’s 8-6 win over the Athletics at Progressive Field on July 18, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
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The fact that two Cleveland Guardians pitchers have been indicted for alleged gambling violations is widely known.
Also, since July, the two Cleveland pitchers have been investigated by Major League Baseball for violation of Major League Baseball’s gambling rules and regulations.
One aspect of the indictments and investigations of Cleveland pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase is not widely discussed.
The Cleveland Guardians have paid a hefty price, and will pay a hefty price going forward, for the alleged gambling violations.
Regardless of guilty or innocent verdicts against either or both Ortiz and Clase, the Guardians have felt both the financial and performance ramifications of the indictments.
Regardless of guilty or innocent findings in the Major League Baseball investigations of alleged gambling rule violations, the Guardians have paid, and could still pay a hefty price.
Two Important Guardians Pitchers:
It is fair to say both Ortiz and Clase were important components of the Guardians pitching depth.
Ortiz was viewed as a potential back-end of the rotation starter with a promising future.
Clase was an All Star closer, counted upon to finish games for Cleveland with an overwhelming arsenal of wicked fastballs and sliders.
Both are right-handed pitchers.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 31: Luis Ortiz #45 of the Cleveland Guardians throws a pitch against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at Petco Park on March 31, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
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Luis Ortiz:
Luis Ortiz is 6-2, 235 pounds
On December 10, 2024 Cleveland received Spencer Horwitz from the Blue Jays as part of a deal for Platinum Glove winner, Andres Gimenez.
The Pirates then obtained Horwitz from Cleveland in exchange for the promising Luis Ortiz.
With Ortiz now under indictment and threatened with being banned for life by Major League Baseball, the Guardians have nothing to show for trading Gimenez to the Blue Jays.
Of equal importance, if he is banned from baseball or convicted, the Guardians will not have Ortiz available as part of their rotation.
At the age of 23, Ortiz was just beginning his big league career. He had shown promise in 16 2025 starts for Cleveland, prior to the MLB investigation beginning. His command and control were improving. His fastball was crisp. He was flashing swing-and-miss potential.
Finally, because he was suspended with pay by Major League Baseball, the Guardians were required to pay his full $782,600 2025 contract. They received only half of his potential starts.
Ortiz is not under contract to the Guardians for the 2026 season. Their financial obligation to him has been completed.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 17: Emmanuel Clase #48 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the ninth inning at Oracle Park on June 17, 2025 in San Francisco, California. The Guardians won the game 3-2. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Emmanuel Clase:
Emmanuel Clase is 6-2, 206 pounds, although he has a much larger presence on the mound.
A dominating pitcher, Clase was an All Star closer in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
In his career, Clase has closed 182 games, in parts of three seasons.
He recorded 42 saves in 2022, 44 saves in 2023, and 47 saves in 2024, branding himself as the best closer in baseball among many scouts and analysts.
Appearing in only 48 2025 games due to the MLB gambling investigation, Clase recorded only 24 saves.
The Guardians were left without their closer at mid-season.
Cade Smith, very capable in his own right, has assumed the closer role for manager Stephen Vogt.
Clase signed a five-year, $20M contract with Cleveland that was scheduled to run from 2022-2026.
This coming season, Clase is scheduled to earn $6.4M of guaranteed money.
The Guardians hold two $10M options for Clase’s services in 2027 and 2028.
Clase’s contract was very favorable to Cleveland. It gave them a guaranteed closer for the foreseeable future, at a very reasonable contract rate.
As was the case with Ortiz, the Guardians paid the full year contract for Clase in 2025, as he was suspended with pay.
It is unknown what the future contract ramifications will be for Clase, but at least his 2026 season is guaranteed. However, his legal issues and/or a potential MLB suspension may negate his contract.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 18: A status board with results and odds at Caesars Palace Race & Sports Book can watch multiple big-screens with different games, plus horse and dog racing at the same time while placing and monitoring bets, March 18, 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Getty Images/Bob Riha, Jr.)
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Summary:
In addition to the Guardians losing the services of both Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase for half the 2025 season, it is highly unlikely, and improbable they will be on the team moving forward.
The federal indictments against both pitchers could take time to resolve.
The Major League Baseball investigation into their alleged gambling issues also await resolution.
The Guardians have lost, and could be losing two viable pitchers. Especially Clase.
The Guardians have lost precious contract dollars that were paid to both Ortiz and Clase during the half season they didn’t pitch.
The Guardians could potentially lose the guaranteed $6.4M remaining on Clase’s contract, although it is unlikely he will pitch for them this coming season. That would negate his contract.
Finally, as a team, the Guardians players and manager Stephen Vogt have been impacted by the loss of performance from two quality pitchers.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/berniepleskoff/2025/11/18/cleveland-guardians-pay-a-price-for-pitcher-gambling-indictments/
