Getty
The Phillies are in need of a bullpen boost for the upcoming 2024 season. Could Emmanuel Clase, the closer for the Guardians, be a viable option for them?
The Philadelphia Phillies have had successful postseason runs in both 2022 and 2023. As they prepare for the 2024 season, they have been relatively quiet in terms of acquisitions. However, there is a possibility that they could change that by acquiring a top-tier closer like Emmanuel Clase from the Cleveland Guardians.
Dave Dombrowski, the President of baseball operations for the Phillies, has made a significant move this winter by re-signing starting pitcher Aaron Nola to a seven-year, $172 million deal. Apart from that, the Phillies have not made many moves, possibly due to the slow-moving free-agent market.
Brandon Scott of Bleacher Report has proposed a trade scenario for the Phillies. On February 1, he shared his trade proposals for the top remaining targets, one of which includes sending Clase to Philadelphia in exchange for three players. Here is what the proposed trade looks like:
– Phillies receive: Emmanuel Clase
– Guardians receive: Simon Muzziotti, Ethan Lindow, and Johan Rojas
Muzziotti and Lindow were the third- and fourth-ranked prospects for the Phillies after the 2023 season, according to MLB.com. Although they have not played above High-A in the minor leagues, they possess a lot of potential. Adding Rojas to the trade could sweeten the deal for Cleveland.
Rojas had an impressive rookie season for the Phillies in 2023, with a .771 OPS and 111 OPS+ in 149 plate appearances. He is also projected to be the starting center fielder for the Phillies in 2024, according to FanGraphs’ Roster Resource. Including an MLB-ready player like Rojas in the trade could benefit Cleveland and help them remain competitive in the American League Central.
It is important to note that this trade scenario is purely hypothetical. There have been no reports indicating that Philadelphia is actively looking to trade the 23-year-old outfielder. However, there is speculation that they might consider it to create space for a marquee free agent who is still available.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, several executives believe that the Philadelphia Phillies could be a surprise contender for free agents such as starter Jordan Montgomery or center fielder Cody Bellinger. While Rojas does not necessarily need to be traded to make room for Bellinger at Citizens Bank Park, including him in a potential win-now deal would make more sense.
MLB Teams Interested in Trading for Emmanuel Clase: Will the Guardians Make a Move?
In a shocking revelation, it has been reported that multiple MLB teams are eyeing a trade for Emmanuel Clase. The young relief pitcher has been making waves in the league, with two consecutive seasons of 40-plus saves. No other pitcher can boast of such an impressive record.
But it’s not just his performance that has caught the attention of teams. Clase’s contract situation is also a major factor. He is currently in the middle of a lucrative five-year, $20 million deal that he signed in 2022. According to Spotrac, he is only due to earn $13 million between 2024 and 2026, with the possibility of two club options for 2027 and 2028, each worth $10 million.
The Cleveland Guardians, however, have shown some openness to the idea of trading Clase. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported on December 1 that the team would consider the right offer. But as spring training approaches, it seems unlikely that a deal will happen anytime soon. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi revealed that while there is trade interest in Clase, the Guardians have control of him until 2028, giving them no motivation to move him at this time.
Cleveland’s ability to potentially extend Clase’s contract on favorable terms is giving them the luxury of time. However, if the team is not in serious contention for the postseason leading up to the midseason trade deadline, trade rumors may once again swirl around the talented pitcher.
The MLB trade market is always full of surprises, and the potential trade of Emmanuel Clase is no exception. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.