Phillies get projected trade cost to land Guardians' Emmanuel Clase

The Philadelphia Phillies might be the only team heading into the trade deadline that undoubtedly needs a new closer.

Other contenders will certainly be in the market for top relief pitchers and could even try to keep them away from the Phillies on top of wanting to improve themselves. But if it comes down to a bidding war, Philadelphia should have the edge in terms of urgency.

There's no guarantee Cleveland Guardians star Emmanuel Clase will be available, as his contract extends through 2026 with club options through 2028. But he's by far the most decorated reliever whose name is floating around the rumor mill, and he's still only 27 years old.

Could the Phillies nab Clase? And perhaps more importantly, what would it cost? On Tuesday, Fantasy Sports On SI's Mark Morales-Smith attempted to answer that question.

Morales-Smith proposed a hypothetical deal in which the Guardians would ship Clase to Philadelphia for shortstop prospect Aidan Miller, the top position player in their farm system, and right-handed pitching prospect Eiberson Castellano.

"If the Guardians do decide to move on from Clase, they have to get a big-time offensive player. Miller projects to be just that. While he's viewed as an elite offensive prospect, what position he'll play in the pros is in question," Morales-Smith wrote.

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"They'd also be getting back a young pitching prospect in this deal, being that they would be giving up a stud with team control beyond this season. Holding on to Clase may be the better option; nevertheless, it will be tough to get back a better offensive prospect than Miller if they do choose to move him."

At that point, the question becomes whether the Phillies will include Miller in the deal? They have to be prepared to make uncomfortable moves to win a championship, but the long-term value of a young shortstop is likely much higher than a premier closer.

But Clase, the three-time All-Star, might be so obviously the missing link that the Phillies need that they'll pull the trigger.

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