After making deep October runs in each of the last two seasons, the Philadelphia Phillies appear to be just a few components away from winning it all. And, with several significant players in their farm system, they may soon trade future prospects for a better chance to win right now.
According to Zachary Rymer of Bleacher Report, the Phillies are interested in acquiring reigning All-Star reliever Emmanuel Clase in a hypothetical trade that would send outfielder Justin Crawford and third baseman Aidan Miller to the Cleveland Guardians.
“Though the Phillies’ two best prospects are both pitchers, Crawford and Miller rank within MLB’s top 100 at No. 47 and No. 91, respectively,” he wrote. “So if the Guardians’ goals is to turn Clase into multiple top-100 types, this package could work.”
Emmanuel Clase, the MLB saves leader, would be a true closer option for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Clase had a 3.22 ERA, 64 strikeouts, and a career-high 44 saves in 2023, earning him a spot in his second All-Star game. That was the most saves by any MLB pitcher last season.
And if the Phillies were to part with any of their best prospects, they would most certainly seek bullpen help in exchange. Despite having a plethora of late-inning talent, including Jose Alvarado, Jeff Hoffman, and Gregory Soto, they lost Craig Kimbrel, their 2023 saves leader, to the Baltimore Orioles in free agency.
Rymer stated that, as a result, the Phillies are looking for a legitimate closer this offseason.
“The Phillies were tenuously linked to (Josh) Hader before he signed with the Houston Astros, and more strongly linked to Jordan Hicks … and Robert Stephenson … before they signed elsewhere,” he stated in an email. “This would indicate that the Phillies are hesitant to hand over Kimbrel’s job to Alvarado. And if that’s the case, it’s lot easier to see Dave Dombrowski, the president of baseball operations, adding a Clase deal to his long list of blockbusters.”
Clase has been linked to numerous high-profile deals this summer as the Guardians attempt to add young talent and benefit from his team-friendly contract. The 25-year-old pitcher is guaranteed just $13 million over the following three seasons, with $2.5 million in 2024, $4.5 million in 2025, and $6 million in 2026, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. He also has $10 million club options in 2027 and 2028.
Can the Philadelphia Phillies still make a big move in the 2024 offseason?
After reaching the NL Championship Series last season, the Phillies have virtually kept the same team this winter.
Most notably, the team re-signed number-two starter Aaron Nola to a seven-year, $172 contract, while free agent Rhys Hoskins left for the Milwaukee Brewers. It appears that the team is prioritizing continuity over big moves.
“They are content to see the biggest pieces come off the board and then add complementary players when the prices drop,” Matt Gelb told The Athletic. “The onus will be on everyone — players and coaches — returning from a successful team.”
Adding Clase would obviously go against that idea, but it could help the Phillies take the next step and win the World Series.
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