Phillies Encouraged to Build Hefty Trade Package for Generational Closer
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The Philadelphia Phillies will have their pick of relievers ahead of the trade deadline, but some will cost more than others.
Decisions will have to be made on how aggressive the team needs to be, and that will determine how much, if any, success the Phillies have in the postseason. Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report believes the team could target Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 07: Emmanuel Clase #48 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches in the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on July 07, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 07: Emmanuel Clase #48 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches in the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on July 07, 2025 in Houston, Texas."Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians would fit that bill about as well as anyone," wrote Kelly. "He won the Mariano Rivera Award as the best reliever in the AL last season, and after a slow start to 2025, he's got a 1.33 ERA over his 27 innings of work."
Here is the full trade breakdown:
Phillies acquire: RHP Emmanuel Clase
Guardians acquire: RHP Mick Abel, SS Aidan Miller (Phillies No. 2 prospect), RHP Jean Cabrera (Phillies No. 12 prospect)
The Phillies have reportedly mentioned top prospect Andrew Painter as being the only true untouchable, but this deal would show a sense of urgency to win.
"Shortstop Aidan Miller -- currently MLB Pipeline's No. 22 prospect in baseball -- could headline this trade," wrote Kelly. "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. This would represent the biggest deal between Philadelphia and Cleveland since the July 2009 Cliff Lee trade."
Clase has a few years of team control remaining, so the Phillies would go into any trade talks knowing a package like this would be necessary. However, that doesn't mean it's not a huge risk for them to take.
More MLB: Rental Infielders 'Better Target' for Yankees Due to D.J. LeMahieu Contract
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