The start of trade deadline week saw the trade market take a huge hit after Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase was placed on leave amid a league sports-betting investigation.
Considering he's on paid leave until August 31, it all but eliminates him from trade talks just days away from Thursday evening's deadline.
This means the closer's market just got that much thinner, undoubtedly increasing the value of every name still potentially on the block.
This could include the Royals' All-Star closer Carlos Estévez, who's had his name thrown around in trade discussions over the past few weeks.