The Philadelphia Phillies are one of the top teams in the MLB and are expected to be active in trade talks ahead of the deadline.
One area of need for the Phillies is the bullpen, especially the back of the bullpen, and adding a high-leverage reliever. MLB insiders Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan of ESPN link the Phillies to trading for Cleveland Guardians star closer Emmanuel Clase.
“Clase was nearly unhittable last season, but his numbers have regressed this season,” the article read. “He has issued more walks and gotten fewer ground balls while allowing more damage on his cutter that averages 99.0 mph — in part due to more center-cut locations. Under contract for less than $30 million through 2028, he would bring a big return to Cleveland. Best fits: Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Arizona, Texas.”
The insiders give Clase a 20% chance of being traded, but if he is dealt, he would be highly sought after, and the Phillies make a lot of sense.
Clase is one of the best closers in baseball as he’s a three-time AL saves leader and two-time AL Reliever of the Year. This season, he’s 4-1 with a 3.48 ERA and is 18-for-21 on save opportunities. However, in 2024, he was nearly unhittable as he went 4-2 with a 0.61 ERA, going 47-for-50 on save opportunities.
Clase is earning $4.9 million this season and can be under team control through the 2028 season.
Phillies Bullpen Has Struggled
Philadelphia’s bullpen has been an issue for the team, especially early on in the season.
In late April, the Phillies were having issues blowing games late in games. Despite the struggles, Phillies manager Rob Thomson remained confident in the bullpen.
“I don’t,” Thomson said. “Because it’s still a small sample size. I know we have really good arms, really good stuff out there. We’ve just got to keep working at it, keep grinding through it… I think we’ve got the pieces there to get it done.”
Meanwhile, Orion Kekering had full confidence in the bullpen, despite the changes to the backend.
“Same mood, same everything,” Kerkering said when asked about the difference from last year to this year. “No one’s really changed their attitude or like, ‘Oh, we have to be this kind of bullpen because Hoffy (Jeff Hoffman) left or Carlos (Estevez) left.’ Not a different vibe. It’s the same vibe as it’s always been.”
Philadelphia’s bullpen is currently led by Kekering, Matt Strahm, and Jordan Romano.
Clase Named a Trade Chip Ahead of Deadline
Despite Clase being one of the best closers in baseball, his name has come up in trade talks.
MLB analyst Thomas Harrigan of MLB.com named Clase one of the most intriguing trade candidates ahead of the deadline.
“Given their lack of enticing options on expiring deals,” Harrigan wrote. “It would behoove the Guardians to gauge the trade value of their All-Star closer, Clase, who has rebounded from a rocky start to 2025. Parting with the righty would be difficult, but with setup man Cade Smith in the fold as a ready-made replacement, Clase might hold more value to the franchise as a trade asset than as its long-term closer.”
Clase is a three-time MLB All-Star.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Phillies Linked to Trading for 2-Time AL Reliever of the Year to Bolster Bullpen appeared first on Heavy Sports.