Mason Miller or Emmanuel Clase to Chicago? Cubs linked to blockbuster arms
Reggie Hildred - USA Today Sports

Mason Miller or Emmanuel Clase to Chicago? Cubs linked to blockbuster arms


Dustin Riese Dustin Riese  ·  Senior Writer ·  

At this point, we should keep an active open thread going for the Chicago Cubs as they continue to be linked to more names by the minute. That shouldn't surprise anyone as the Cubs have suddenly found themselves in a very tight NL Central race with no margin for error.

Ultimately, it could come down to who makes the biggest addition come the trade deadline, and the Cubs are expected to be one of the more aggressive teams for a variety of needs. However, one of the needs that seemed urgent before is suddenly no longer as pressing, and that is the bullpen.

Since the end of April, the Cubs' bullpen has not only turned their season around but has also emerged as one of the game's best. That included a two-month stretch where they were the best in baseball, as this has been a pleasant resurgence for the pen. Daniel Palencia, Caleb Thilebar, and Brad Keller are huge reasons why the pen has turned things around, but you also have Drew Pomeranz and Ryan Brasier as guys who have been tough to hit.

Despite the bullpen being about as solid as you can be, the Cubs aren't going to hold off from making additions should a high-quality name become available, and it does appear that two once-seen-as-untouchable names could be coming available in Mason Miller and Emmanuel Clase. It's no secret that, should the Cubs or anyone else, for that matter, find a way to get either one of these guys, their bullpen would be set for the long haul, but adding one of them to the back of the Cubs pen to pair with Palencia is a dream scenario.

Miller is the bigger name of the two, and as recently as June, was deemed an untouchable piece. While that may still be the case, it appears the talks are starting to shift slightly when it comes to the Athletics' GM. He has said that if some teams are willing to put together a massive package for Miller, he would have no choice but to entertain the idea.

If a massive package is what you're looking for, the Cubs could be the team to do that, as not too many organizations have the prospect pieces the Cubs have. Unlike last season, when Miller was one of the best, if not the best, closers in the game, 2025 has been a struggle, as his ERA has crept above 4.00.

A significant reason for this stems from his pitching in Sacramento, but with 19 saves and 57 strikeouts in just 34 innings, his overpowering stuff is still evident. Miller averages north of 101 MPH with his heater and pairs with an elite 92 MPH slider that has hitters looking silly. Getting out of Sacramento could be the key to Miller getting back on track.

Clase is a much different story than Miller, as he was not only entangled in trade talks over the past few seasons but also appears to be in line to be involved in trade talks again. Another one of the game's best, Clause has had some ups and downs this season, but with a 2.86 ERA, he has still proven to be a lights-out closer, having recorded 21 saves so far, after achieving 40 or more saves in three straight years.

Another pitcher who can reach 100 MPH-plus with his fastball, Clase tends to sit in the 98-99 MPH range, as his fastball acts more like a cutter than a straight fastball. He also works in a change-up and a slider to pair with that cutter, which is why he has turned into a great reliever.

Far from the guy who posted a 0.61 ERA in 2024, Clase has seen a decline in strikeout rate, but that won't steer teams away from him should he become available at the deadline. If the Cubs were to trade for him, the question becomes whether he would remain the closer, knowing his postseason struggles, or whether they would move him to the eighth and keep Palencia as their closer. Either way, it is a win-win for the Cubs as either move makes an already lock-down pen better.

Sticking with the Guardians for a minute, Cade Smith is another name to keep an eye on as the deadline nears. Knowing Carter Hawkins' history with the Guardians and how they developed pitchers over the years, you have to think he would try to pluck another one from that organization.

Although Eli Morgan hasn't worked out, Matthew Boyd has, and taking a chance on Smith would be worth the risk. Smith has fallen off the past few weeks and has seen his ERA rise to 3.21, but with a 2.38 ERA across 118 games, you can clearly see that Smith has what it takes to be a nice addition to the pen. Another guy armed with a big fastball, Smith would give the Cubs more flexibility in the late innings to get the ball to Palencia.

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