MLB analyst: 'Would make sense to deal' Mick Abel in Phillies trade package for these two All-Stars

The Philadelphia Phillies have work to do to improve their roster going into the trade deadline. They desperately need to upgrade their bullpen and their outfield offense if they want to win their first World Series championship since 2008. Top pitching prospect Mick Abel could be available, but what would be the appropriate package to move the 2020 first-round pick?

Even though he was recently demoted following a rough stretch, Abel has a bright future. In his MLB debut, he outdueled Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes, striking out nine over six scoreless innings, while scattering five hits.

Overall, Abel is 2-2 with a 5.04 ERA in six starts. He was sent back down to Triple-A following his July 2 outing against the San Diego Padres where he gave up five earned runs in 1 2/3 innings.

Abel is a valuable trade chip since he still has years of control. The Athletic’s MLB analyst Jim Bowden believes Abel could be the center of a trade package that could bring back Steven Kwan and Emmanuel Clase from the Cleveland Guardians.

“The only way the Phillies should trade Abel is if they can acquire what they believe is the missing piece to winning a world championship this year. In other words, for example, if they could pry both Emmanuel Clase and Steven Kwan from the Guardians and Abel had to be part of the package to get the trade done, then it would make sense to deal him,” Bowden notes.

Even though the Phillies would prefer a right-handed bat, it would be hard to pass up the left-hitting Kwan. He improves the left field position compared to Max Kepler, who has played poorly after signing a one-year, $10 million contract. Trea Turner and Kwan would form a dynamic one-two duo at the top of the lineup.

As for Clase, the Phillies get the shutdown closer they’ve been yearning for. After a tough start to the season, Clase has 19 saves and a 3.12 ERA in 41 appearances. However, the three-time All-Star has had his issues in the postseason. Last October, he posted a 9.00 ERA across seven games against the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees, giving up eight earned runs in eight innings, along with 12 hits and three home runs.

Kwan is still arbitration eligible and won’t be a free agent until after the 2027 season, while Clase is under team control through 2028.