Cubs reportedly eyeing trade for MLB saves leader

The Chicago Cubs may be trying for a moon shot to upgrade their bullpen.

Bruce Levine of 670 The Score in Chicago reported this week that the Cubs are showing interest in Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase on the trade market. Levine notes that adding to the bullpen remains a focus for the Cubs this offseason.

Clase is arguably the best reliever in baseball right now. He has led MLB in saves in each of the last two straight seasons, earning All-Star and All-MLB honors in both of those years as well. Clase also owns microscopic career marks of a 2.00 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP (though his strikeout rate is relatively modest).

At just 25 years old and on a cheap team-controlled contract through 2028, Clase would obviously come with an extremely high asking price.

But the Cubs enter 2024 with one of the top-ranked farm systems in baseball and may be willing to break open the piggy bank (especially amid the recent report we just heard about the Cubs).