SF Giants closer's trade value skyrockets after Emmanuel Clase gambling probe

SF Giants closer Camilo Doval has had a resurgent 2025 season. Some rival executives believe the Giants should consider trading him, and if they do his trade value has skyrocketed after the news of Emmanuel Clase being investigated for sports-betting.

The Cleveland Guardians closer was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through the end of August as MLB investigates him as part of a sports gambling probe. He is the second Guardians pitcher to be put on leave as part of a gambling probe this season.

SF Giants closer's trade value skyrockets after Emmanuel Clase gambling probe

This news is fascinating for a number of reasons, but it may have very direct implications for the Giants as they try to decide what to do ahead of the July 31 trade deadline.

Clase is one of the premier closers in the game. In 48 appearances this season he had a 3.23 ERA and recorded 24 saves in 29 attempts. Last season he was nearly un-hittable, recording a 0.61 ERA and 47 saves.

With Cleveland right around the .500 mark, they are in a position where they could try to buy or sell at the deadline. Teams in need of a closer certainly would have loved to get Clase in a trade. He had even been connected to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Now, in light of the investigation, it is hard to imagine a team taking a chance on a pitcher who cannot pitch until September who could potentially receive a long-term suspension or even a lifetime ban depending on what the investigation reveals.

Other teams in need of a closer now have to turn elsewhere which could lead them to Doval and the Giants. Doval has had a great bounceback season. After 2024 saw him lose the closer role and get demoted to Triple-A, he has reclaimed the closer role this season and has a 3.18 ERA with 15 saves in 19 opportunities.

Doval's name came up in trade talks during the offseason, but Buster Posey was adamant in his belief that Doval would be a big part of the Giants in 2025 and his faith was justified. Recently, there were reports that the New York Mets made a push to trade for Doval.

With how strong San Francisco's bullpen has been for much of this season, there is an argument to be made that the Giants could trade from their bullpen to try and improve other areas of the roster like their starting rotation.

If Doval was traded, the Giants could conceivably insert All-Star Randy Rodríguez into the closer spot as he has been masterful for much of the season and has closer-like stuff.

Still, the Giants may decide they need all of their bullpen arms given how many close games they play and with how poor their offense can be at times.

But if they decide other areas of the roster are in need of improvement, they can take advantage of the situation with Clase by asking more for Doval in a potential trade as they now have more leverage and could milk more out of a team desperate for a closer.

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