"I can’t wait to give Emmanuel Clase the ball again” - Guardians manager Stephen Vogt reflects on 3x All-Star closer’s playoff performance
Closer Emmanuel Clase had a stellar 2024 season with the Cleveland Guardians. Spearheading the best bullpen in the MLB regular season, Clase had a huge role to play as the Guardians had a solid season, winning the AL Central division and going as far as the ALCS for the first time since 2016.
For the 2024 campaign, Clase had a 0.61 ERA, a 4-2 record and 66 strikeouts, accumulating 47 saves. Naturally, Clase was the go-to man for skipper Stephen Vogt whenever he needed to close out a game, and Clase had a remarkable knack for living up to his reputation as arguably the best closer in all of baseball. He had a championship series to forget, however, as the stars of the New York Yankees lineup got to him at crucial junctures in the series, to devastating effect for him and the Guardians.
In a clip posted by "Foul Territory'" on X on Monday, Vogt talked about how he is still very much a believer in Clase's quality, and wouldn't hesitate to back him in a similar situation again if they got there in 2025.
"I don't care when it is, I don't care what the situation is, if there's three outs to get for a win or to extend the game, I want (Emmanuel) Clase on the mound over anybody else. This guy's one of the best pitchers on the planet. His regular season was a dream. There was one, maybe two times where it was high pressure. It was nine, 10, 11-pitch saves every night, it seemed like," Vogt said.
"So, you're gonna give him the ball again [in late-inning situations]. I can't wait to give him the ball again next year if we're fortunate enough to get there. It's one of those things, baseball's hard, things happen. It can happen to anybody, when it's in the microscope like that it's gonna stand out, but Emmanuel Clase is going to get the ball in the ninth with the game on the line as long as we're together in Cleveland," Vogt said.
Emmanuel Clase finished third in the AL Cy Young final standings
On Wednesday, Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal was deservedly named as the winner of the 2024 AL Cy Young award. Though the award is traditionally dominated by starting pitchers, Emmanuel Close made a strong case for himself with his incredibly consistent near-perfect positions. Such was the influence of Emmanuel Clase, that he had become one of the Cleveland Guardians' most important players despite only being in action for a fraction of their games.
To decide the winners of the various MLB awards, the nominated candidates are voted on by the BBWAA members. The point system awards seven points for first place, four points for second place, three points for third place, two points for fourth place and one point for fifth place, via MLB.com.
After the voting was done, Emmanuel Clase finished in third place behind Skubal and Royals' Seth Lugo. The Dominican became the first reliever to finish in the top three since Francisco Rodriguez accomplished the same feat with the Los Angeles Angels in 2008.
Though the end of the season will leave a bitter taste in his mouth, Clase can be satisfied with an otherwise phenomenal campaign. For now, the closer and the rest of the Guardians squad will look to rest up and enjoy the offseason. Focus shifts back to baseball in the new year, as Emmanuel Clase and co. look to follow up the exploits of 2024 with more of the same in 2025.