The Philadelphia Phillies have already signed one veteran reliever, and they were also named as a link to one of the best closers in baseball.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan cited the Phillies as the best potential landing spot for Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, who could be had before the MLB Trade Deadline on July 31 at 6 p.m. ET.
The Guardians have regressed after making the playoffs three of the past five seasons. Still, Clase has been electric, locking down 22 saves in 45 appearances and a 45-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his 45 innings pitched.
With the Guardians potentially staring down a rebuild — or even trying to maximize Clase’s value, since he is under team control for at least this year and next — Clase’s name has come up in trade rumors.
Are The Phillies Going To Trade For Emmanuel Clase?
There are varying levels of truth to Clase rumors. But Passan, one of the best-connected insiders in the game, named the Guardians closer as the best fit for the Phillies.
“The Phillies have quietly built up one of the best farm systems in baseball, and president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski’s history of trading prospects for impactful talent is unmatched,” Passan wrote. “Still, with the Phillies entering a transition phase over the next few years, they aren’t likely to sacrifice all of their depth.
“That complicates their tack at this deadline, because they are among the few teams with the need and capacity to acquire a pitcher of Clase’s talent.”
The Phillies signed David Robertson to a prorated contract worth $6 million. Passan referenced him as an upgrade, even though Philadelphia should target other bullpen options — since the Phillies rank 23rd in bullpen ERA (4.25) and are tied for fourth in the majors in blown saves (17).
“Adding Robertson plus a high-octane relief arm alongside Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm gives the Phillies a representative back end,” Passan wrote.
Who Can The Phillies Get If Emmanuel Clase Is Unavailable?
USA Today insider Bob Nightengale threw cold water on a potential Clase-to-Philadelphia trade Tuesday by reporting “The Cleveland Guardians are telling teams they plan to keep closer Emmanuel Clase, who still is under team control through 2028.”
Still, Passan named Clase’s Guardians teammate Cade Smith as a potential reliever for Philadelphia. Plus, Cleveland’s rivals, the Minnesota Twins, are open for business and the Phils could target their primary setup man Griffin Jax or closer Jhoan Duran.
The Phillies have dominant starting pitching, keyed by Christopher Sanchez, Ranger Suarez and Zack Wheeler. So aside from bullpen help, the Phillies are interested in adding a power-hitting outfielder to upgrade either left field or center field.
Max Kepler (-0.2 bWAR) and Brandon Marsh (-0.4 bWAR) have combined for just 14 homers and are averaging an OPS+ of 84.5, and a buy-low outfielder could lengthen the Phils’ super-deep lineup.
“If they can also add a right-handed-hitting outfielder with power — Adolis Garcia is in the mix, and Luis Robert would play, too,” Passan wrote, “it will be a successful deadline for a team whose starting pitching is good enough to carry it deep into October.”
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