The Phillies landed arguably the best reliever on the market when they sent two highly-regarded pitching prospects to the Angels for closer Carlos Estévez. That hasn’t stopped the front office from continuing to search for bullpen help. Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic wrote Monday afternoon that the Phils remain engaged in the relief market.
Philadelphia’s relief group has been around average overall, but their 6.08 ERA this month is better only than the Red Sox’s 6.38 mark. Estévez should solidify the ninth inning, but the Phils could try to get another setup option to pair with Jeff Hoffman, Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering. The Phils subtracted some of their middle relief depth with the trade sending Seranthony Domínguez to Baltimore for Austin Hays. Philadelphia has José Ruiz and Yunior Marte in low-leverage roles at the moment.
The Phils have arguably the strongest all-around roster in MLB. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and his staff are among the league’s most aggressive front offices. They continued that trend in the Estévez trade. They don’t have many obvious holes beyond the bullpen. Center field is arguably a weak point, but it’d be a thin market if the White Sox do indeed hold Luis Robert Jr.
Tanner Scott is the top reliever who is almost certain to move by tomorrow evening. The Phils probably aren’t going to land both of the best rental closers on the market. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel very loosely tied the Phillies to A’s flamethrowing setup man Lucas Erceg this morning. Estévez’s old teammate (and former Phillie) Luis García should move, as could John Brebbia and Austin Adams.
Dig it, but maybe an OFer who can hit would be nice too.
Dylan Floro would be an awesome final touch.
Brebbia lowkey losing his trade value
Actually, he’s having probably his best season.
His FIP is 3.1, the ERA is inflated because he’s on the worst team possibly ever assembled. His K/9 is fantastic. He just needs to be on a team with average defense
Call the Reds, they have a half dozen guys you can get.
Get an OF with pop. Hays isn’t the guy
Pay a high price for some relievers for an early round exit.
They way they’re playing, a 1964esque collapse may be coming.
It is the 60th anniversary of 1964 afterall.
Alvarado not even worth acknowledging anymore.
Phillies fans are hoping DD doesn’t include Andrew Painter or Mick Abel in any deal.. he’s dealt top prospects before for some head scratchers.
One thing this post doesn’t include that probably gives credence to the McDaniel reporting, is the Phillies salary situation. They’re pushed up right near the next tax threshold that will increase their tax penalties and push their draft pick back 10 spots.
And that’s before considering the extensions kicking in next year for Sanchez & Wheeler and Schwarber going into his final year of his deal. Their 2 best RH relievers (Estevez & Hoffman) are both free agents this winter and unless they win the World Series, you wonder when the spending will stop? Trading for cheap arms like Erceg or Adams makes sense.
Also, wonder what they’ll be willing to part with since they traded the 2 prospects who probably have raised their stock the most this first half. And multiple reports are saying they’re top 3 prospects (Painter, Miller, & Crawford) have been off limits in all trade talks.
Of course they are. Building on their possibility of post-season success.
The biggest thing the Phillies need is for their “stars” to start acting like “stars” once again. They’ve been out hustled, out managed, and out executed the past few weeks. Harper, Turner, and Realmuto have been awful.