On Sunday, Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis L. Ortiz were indicted on charges stemming from connections to gambling. Specifically, the Department of Justice has charged the pitchers with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy.
The allegations asserted that both pitchers frequently manipulated pitch outcomes for gamblers’ gain, accepting money for their actions. All bets in question were tied to the speed of specific pitches or ball and strike calls.
The pitchers, currently under MLB investigation and already suspended, face a potential 65-year prison term if convicted.
Given the serious implications of this scandal, what can the MLB do to avert future incidents like this? Here are some solutions:
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Let this case serve as a deterrent
Clase was set to earn $4.9 million this season and $6.4 million next season, with $20 million in options for 2027 and 2028. Allegedly, he accepted sums of about $5,000 at a time. His MLB career is potentially over, and he faces extensive prison time. This case could prompt players to reconsider potential gambling involvement, emphasizing the stakes involved. -
Continue to stay vigilant
The MLB has already demonstrated that it retains strict protocols to uphold fairness within the sport. Players being caught signifies that oversight is working, and the league must persist in its diligence. -
Work with sportsbooks to eliminate betting on pitches
Given that baseball is a team sport consisting of numerous independent plays throughout a match, fixing a whole game is challenging. However, focusing on individual plays, such as whether a pitch will be called a ball or a strike, opens the door to manipulation, and the league should work to restrict these bets. -
Eliminate prop bets altogether
This concept extends even further—abandoning all bets centered on individual players while maintaining focus on broader team-based wagers. -
Sever all ties with the gambling community
While this is a drastic measure some might call for, the likelihood of the MLB taking such action is slim. Although incidents like these tarnish the league’s image, the financial benefits and fan engagement make this move presently unattractive.
The fallout from the cases involving Clase and Ortiz may bolster MLB’s commitment to preventing gambling infractions in the future.
