The Philadelphia Phillies need a lockdown closer now more than ever. They are in a prime position to win their division for the second season in a row, yet it doesn't feel like their current roster is deep enough to finally win it all. Their lackluster bullpen being untrustworthy in high-tension scenarios is a recipe for disaster in October. So it's no secret that the Phillies' biggest need at the rapidly approaching trade deadline is bullpen reinforcements.
They'll acquire a few arms who will certainly improve the current state of the team's bullpen, but they must swing for the fences for a lockdown closer, like Cleveland's Emmanuel Clase. Although it's unlikely that the Guardians will move Clase, the Phillies have the prospect capital to sway Cleveland with a trade they simply can't refuse.
Unfortunately, the NL East rival New York Mets are also looking for bullpen help at the deadline. The Athletic's Jim Bowden recently told Foul Territory that the Mets (as well as the Detroit Tigers) also have enough in their farm system to deal for Clase. Bowden says he thinks the Phillies or the Mets are the more likely destinations.
Phillies have the prospects to land Emmanuel Clase even if Cleveland says he's unavailable
Clase has been connected with the Phillies over the past month-plus due to his impressive track record. He posted one of the best seasons ever for a reliever last season, with a minuscule 0.61 ERA and 0.66 WHIP to go with his league-leading 47 saves. That production that saw him finish third in AL Cy Young voting isn't sustainable, though his 2.86 ERA and 21 saves this season would be welcomed by the Phillies in a heartbeat.
However, it's been reported by ESPN's Buster Olney that Cleveland is not willing to listen on any trade proposals for their star closer. That's a bummer, as the 27-year-old Clase would have solved nearly all the Phillies' bullpen problems.
The club control that any team would have on Clase until 2027 would up the haul that the Guardians are seeking for him. Fortunately for the Phillies, though, they have the prospect capital needed to change Cleveland's mind on parting with Clase.
The Phillies' farm system currently boasts six of MLB Pipeline's Top 100 prospects, the most we've seen in quite a while. The untouchable Andrew Painter tops the list, with everybody else seemingly being available for trade if the right offer arises.
It would be wise for the Phillies to keep No. 3 prospect Justin Crawford to improve upon their light-hitting outfield. They also should keep No. 4 prospect Eduardo Tait, as the team doesn't really have a solid backup plan at catcher once J.T. Realmuto is gone. That leaves a Clase trade package looking like Aidan Miller, Mick Abel and Aroon Esobar, giving Cleveland an offer of three top-100 prospects that they can't turn down.
Dave Dombrowski has been known to go all-in at deadlines by trading top prospects for proven stars for his teams that are in win-now mode. Well, the Phillies are in an urgent win-now mode, and we haven't really seen Dombrowski be that ultra-aggressive guy yet in his tenure as the Phillies' president of baseball operations. This has to be the year that he swings a major blockbuster like going after Clase.