Five relievers the Phillies could trade for at this year’s deadline

Brad Ziegler

Brad Ziegler has bounced around the league in his career, pitching for four teams in his 11-year career. He has been effective for most of his career, but he set a career high with a 4.79 ERA last season for the Marlins. That ERA is even higher this year at 6.06, indicating the 38-year-old may be on the decline.

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However, Ziegler’s underlying numbers have been strong this year. He has walked just 2.7 percent of opposing hitters and has a 2.84 xFIP. He has an even lower skill-independent ERA (SIERA) of just 2.10. He has suffered from an abnormally high 33.3 percent home run to fly ball ratio, which has led to his high ERA.

The Phillies, being the analytically-inclined team they are, may see this and acquire Ziegler should other potential deals fall through or prove to be too expensive. Ziegler is owed $9 million this season, and the Marlins have no shame of shedding as much salary as possible. He likely wouldn’t cost much in terms of prospects as a one-year rental.

At worst, Ziegler provides another option in the bullpen if injuries continue to plague Philadelphia.

Next: Two Prospects on the Rise and Two on the Decline

These are only a few options to boost the bullpen. There are still more than two months until the trade deadline, so who will be available will become clearer as teams either fall out of playoff contention or put themselves back in the conversation.