The Philadelphia Phillies are set up to make additions at the deadline, and could make the bullpen a focus. Could they swing a trade for an elite closer?
The Phillies lost Jose Alvarado to a PED suspension earlier in the year. They have lacked stability at closer ever since, and Jordan Romano is no longer the All-Star he once was. Alvarado will be ineligible for the postseason, making a closer a real need for the Phillies. USA Today's Bob Nightengale recently noted that the Cleveland Guardians could "potentially" move Emmanuel Clase.
Clase led baseball in saves last season and had a 0.61 ERA. He would not be cheap to add, but Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly proposed a trade that could get Clase in Philadelphia.
"Of course, the Guardians are going to expect a lofty return for Clase. But while Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported the Phillies still don't want to trade No. 1 prospect Andrew Painter, "everyone else in the organization might be available to varying degrees," wrote Kelly. "Shortstop Aidan Miller—currently MLB Pipeline's No. 22 prospect in baseball—could headline this trade. If the Guardians got a package that included Miller, RHP Mick Abel and pitching prospect Jean Cabrera, that would be a fair deal for both sides."
Clase is a three-time All-Star and two-time Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year. From 2022 to 2024, he had a 1.72 ERA and 133 saves. He has a 3.12 ERA this season, but he has been much better since May 1. He has a 1.33 ERA since then.
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Clase is under club control through 2028, so adding him will not be cheap. However, he fills a huge need for the Phillies and would be a key player in making a World Series run.
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