How Emmanuel Clase Saga Could Derail Phillies' Trade Deadline Plans

Newsweek

12 hours ago

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The Philadelphia Phillies might have been caught up in the wreckage of the Emmanuel Clase gambling bombshell.
On Monday, Clase, the Cleveland Guardians' three-time All-Star closer, was reportedly placed on non-disciplinary leave in connection with Major League Baseball's gambling investigation. That takes one of the hottest names off the trade block..
The Phillies have a good number of players on the wrong side of 30 with some key stars also heading to free agency. With a chance for perhaps one more run, notoriously aggressive president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski may have well had designs on acquiring Clase.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 22: Emmanuel Clase #48 of the Cleveland Guardians pitching in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on June 22, 2025 in Sacramento, California.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 22: Emmanuel Clase #48 of the Cleveland Guardians pitching in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on June 22, 2025 in Sacramento, California.
Justine Willard/Athletics/Getty Images
After the Clase news came out, Jim Bowden of The Athletic appeared on "Foul Territory" on Monday and asserted his belief that the Phillies "were in" on not only Clase but two-time All-Star outfielder Steven Kwan as well in a potential trade with Cleveland.
"(Dombrowski) really wants to get that championship ring with the Phillies, and I feel like this is the year he's going to absolutely put that accelerator at full blast, get that back-end reliever that he wants." Bowden said.
"I believe he was in on Clase and Kwan. I thought there was a chance he gets both of them. I won't be surprised, though, if he's the guy who ends up with Duran or if he's the guy who winds up with Luis Robert (Jr.)"
Ostensibly, Bowden could have been referring to Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran or Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Duran, both of whom have had their names all over the trade rumor mill.
Clase being out of the picture sure changes things, but perhaps it increases the likelihood the Phillies could go after Kwan by himself. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Tuesday that the Phillies had inquired about Kwan's availability, and more importantly, that the Clase news could spur the Guardians to trade the left fielder.
Still, the Phillies have to come away from this deadline with a better closer, and the best one who could have theoretically been available is now no longer an option.
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