The Philadelphia Phillies are in a bind. The team has star players. They are currently in position for a playoff spot. And yet, it still doesn't feel like enough. Health concerns are beginning to mount, which is causing panic that the team will have to do something major at the trade deadline.
Do they unload some big contracts in exchange for another star? Or do they go a more settled route? Either way, the club needs reinforcements, but we just don't know how the front office will play their hand. If they decide to go in the direction of helping the starting rotation — which definitely needs another arm — they should probably avoid pursuing Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. If they opt for a less costly route, Nationals southpaw Foster Griffin might be a safe, yet impactful play.
Phillies must avoid Tarik Skubal at the 2026 MLB trade deadline
A strong fourth starting pitcher could very well be the missing piece to Philadelphia's path to a World Series. It might be too easy to say that they should target Skubal. The two-time American League Cy Young Award winner would undoubtedly put the Phillies over the edge.
But now might not be the time for Philadelphia to get risky. Not only is Skubal a more expensive option, but he is coming off surgery on his left elbow this season, which kept him on the shelf for two months. That's not to say Skubal has been bad since his return, but the Phillies don't need another guy to worry about every time they take the field.
In Skubal's seven starts this season before the surgery, he was averaging 6.1 innings per outing. He also averaged almost seven innings per start in 2025. In his nine starts since coming back, he is averaging five-plus innings. It's about a one-inning discrepancy, which seems marginal, but Philadelphia can't afford to worry about a top-end ace. They don't need to bring someone in and look at his pitch count under a microscope.
It's high risk, high reward. And some Phillies fans may prefer that. But are the Phillies in a good spot to be risky with their next transaction? Is he worth dumping our best prospects for less than half of a season? There are other pitchers they can turn to.
Phillies should target Foster Griffin at the 2026 MLB trade deadline
Griffin, who spent the last three seasons in Japan, was named to his first All-Star Game this year. He's shown comfort pitching in the big leagues again. His walk rate (2.0/9 IP) is among the best in the National League. He throws seven different pitches, all of which have strong numbers across the table.
Not only that, but Griffin's familiarity with the NL East is crucial. He's allowed three runs in 12 innings against the Braves this season. He went seven innings with one run allowed against the Marlins, and even looked solid against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on March 30, allowing two runs in five innings. He also undressed Philadelphia back home in D.C., striking out nine on June 22 in 7.1 frames of one-run ball.
The Phillies have seven more series against NL East opponents this season. Having a guy with the familiarity and success against those teams can only be beneficial.
Griffin, a two-month rental, is most importantly not going to cost any trade suitors as much as a guy like Skubal, or even Giants lefty Robbie Ray. That's not saying Griffin should absolutely be their No. 1 target, but it makes sense for Philadelphia to be most ready for trading for him.
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