The Philadelphia Phillies are among the few MLB teams with legitimate World Series ambitions. As the trade deadline approaches, their most pressing need is strengthening the back end of their bullpen. With Cy Young contender Zack Wheeler leading the rotation and solid pitching depth behind him, the Phillies are well-positioned overall.
This year’s market for relievers is especially active, with several top-tier bullpen arms potentially available for the right deal. Expect Philadelphia to go all-in at the deadline in an effort to address their main weakness and gear up for a serious postseason push. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Guardians, currently five games under .500, could be looking to trade away one of their top players.
Guardians Move off of Emmanuel Clase in Massive Trade Proposal
In a recent trade article for Bleacher Report, writer Tim Kelly forecasts that the Cleveland Guardians could send elite reliever Emmanuel Clase to the Philadelphia Phillies in return for a mix of players and prospects. If he becomes available, Clase would be the premier bullpen arm on the market. A three-time All-Star from 2022 to 2024, he has bounced back from a slow start this season and is once again performing at a high level.
Here is Kelly’s case for Clase being traded:
“Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians would fit that bill about as well as anyone. 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. What makes the 27-year-old even more attractive for a team like the Phillies is that he’s signed to a team-friendly contract. He’s making $4.9 million in 2025, will make $6.4 million in 2026 and then has $10 million club options for 2027 and 2028. So, he would be a long-term addition to the bullpen.”
Clase has a 3.12 ERA this season over 40.1 IP. He also has 19 saves and 40 strikeouts. So, despite the “slow start”, Clase is still putting together a season that any contender would gush over.
What Would a Blockbuster Deal Like This Cost Philadelphia?
The Philadelphia Phillies have made it clear they’re reluctant to part with top prospect Andrew Painter, but acquiring a reliever with Emmanuel Clase’s track record would demand a significant return. A realistic trade package could feature outfielder Brandon Marsh, pitching prospect Mick Abel, and outfield prospect Justin Crawford. While three-player trades have become less common in today’s MLB, Clase’s elite status and All-Star pedigree would likely warrant such a price.
Ultimately, whether a deal happens depends largely on the direction the Cleveland Guardians choose to take. Sitting at 43-48 and struggling offensively—especially after enduring a recent 10-game losing streak—they may be leaning toward a retool or full rebuild. If that’s the case, trading Clase for a strong return could be on the table. With the trade deadline quickly approaching, expect the Phillies to be aggressive in shoring up their bullpen for a deep postseason push.
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