Jeff Passan Predicts Phillies Go All in at Trade Deadline, Pass on Emmanuel Clase

Jeff Passan Predicts Phillies Go All in at Trade Deadline, Pass on Emmanuel Clase originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Philadelphia Phillies could be active participants in the 2025 MLB trade deadline. There are two areas the Phillies could look to address: outfielders and relievers.

Jeff Passan of ESPN predicts that while the Phillies are "all in," they could miss out on one of their top trade targets. Even with a strong farm system and the desire to go all in, the Phillies may miss out on Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase.

"Still, with the Phillies entering a transition phase over the next few years, they aren't likely to sacrifice all of their depth," Passan writes. "That complicates their tack at this deadline, because they are among the few teams with the need and capacity to acquire a pitcher of Clase's talent."

While the Phillies are expected to pursue relievers at the trade deadline, this update from Passan doesn't paint an encouraging picture that Clase could land in Philadelphia.

Clase isn't the only reliever this could apply to, as fellow Guardians reliever Cade Smith and Minnesota Twins relievers Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran could be off the table if the Phillies aren't willing to sacrifice their depth.

The team needs bullpen upgrades badly, as Jordan Romano and Joe Ross have been major disappointments. Jose Alvarado is also suspended until August 18th and can't pitch in the postseason.

Adding a reliever is a priority for the Phillies at the deadline. However, this report from Passan points to Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies not being willing to pay a premium for relievers, despite the team's intention to go all in.

Retaining the team's top prospects and instead targeting cheaper relievers might be the path the Phillies take at the deadline.

It would be a frustrating scenario, especially with the clear need in the bullpen and the high-end relievers to which the Phillies have been linked this season.

Philadelphia, even though they're predicted by Passan to go all in, might not part with top assets to bring in an elite closer at the deadline.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.