Cubs lose blockbuster trade deadline option to shocking sports gambling investigation

With the MLB trade deadline approaching, one target the Chicago Cubs have been linked to is the Cleveland Guardians' closer Emmanuel Clase. Clase has been connected to the Cubs over the last two years; however, a trade involving Clase at the deadline has suddenly gone off the table. Major League Baseball announced that Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of an ongoing investigation into sports betting.

"Per an agreement with the MLBPA, Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through games on August 31st while MLB continues its sports betting investigation.  We will not comment further until the investigation has been completed.”

Cubs’ trade deadline plans in disarray after gambling investigation hits

Earlier this season, Clase's teammate, Luis Ortiz, was also placed on non-disciplinary leave due to a sports-betting investigation. The news on Monday all but confirms that Clase won't be moved at the deadline.

Ortiz was the scheduled starting pitcher to face the Cubs during a game with the Guardians during the first week of July, but was placed on leave before that start after unusual betting activity was discovered on two pitches he had made earlier this season. In the immediate reporting of Clase being added to the investigation, details haven't been provided to the extent to which he is involved.

What is clear is that Clase won't be traded ahead of the deadline on Thursday. In recent weeks, there has been an uptick in speculation that the Cubs were going to add a high-leverage relief pitcher to their bullpen. Clase was near the top of the list of available options, as it seemed that the Guardians were inching closer to being ready to move their All-Star closer. A trade with the Cubs, however, was never believed to be too likely, considering the other needs Chicago has across their roster.

There is a larger discussion to be had about the role sports betting has in Major League Baseball, and that conversation will likely take center stage when the full context of this current investigation is revealed.

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