Chicago Cubs Rumors: Phillies, Mets, Padres, Red Sox want Craig Kimbrel

Chicago Cubs: Teams interested in Craig Kimbrel – 4. Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia has recently emerged not necessarily as a front runner for Kimbrel, but a runner nonetheless. Other reports indicated the Phillies were also interested in Chafin and Ryan Tepera. With Chafin now being off the block and on his way to Oakland, it will be interesting to see if Philidelphia turns the heat up a notch or two.

Looking at potential returns for Kimbrel, the Phillies have two prospects in the top 100. Those are #59 Mick Abel, a right-hander, and #100 Bryson Stott, a shortstop. Abel is a 19-year-old playing  Low A-Ball for the Clearwater Threshers. In 14 games started he has pitched 44 2/3 innings to the tune of a 1-3 record and 4.43 ERA. Not eye-popping numbers, but his strikeouts per nine sits at an encouraging 13.3. The 2020 first-round pick has a tentative ETA to the bigs of 2024.

Looking at Stott, currently in Double-A for the Reading Fightin’ Phils. Another first-round pick, this one coming back in 2019 with an MLB ETA of 2022. His career minor league slash over two years is .280/.380/.480 and he’s currently hitting .261/.330./435

The main reason Philly lands at #5 on this list is because according to Phillies Nation, it has been said the Phillies are looking to hold onto Abel. That doesn’t bode well for a trade for an All-Star closer with another year of team control. Thus, a prospect package surrounding Stott would likely have to be the case and I’m not sure it would be enough to outbid other teams hot on the trail.