Phillies trade rumors: Adam Ottavino a sneaky trade candidate
The Rockies and Phillies swapping a veteran reliever has been among Phillies trade rumors before
Last year the biggest Phillies trade rumors surrounded setup man Pat Neshek, who would be dealt to the Colorado Rockies for three prospects. This year, it’s the Phillies who could swing a deal for a veteran reliever from the Rockies.
Adam Ottavino leads the fourth-place Rockies bullpen with 56 strikeouts and a 1.00 ERA through 33 games. A 32-year-old right-hander, Ottavino is in the final year of a three-year contract with Colorado, thus slated to hit free agency this offseason.
Much of this feels similar to the Neshek deal, who the Phillies acquired three mid-level prospects for from Colorado at the deadline. Jose Gomez, J.D. Hammer, and Alejandra Requena have been among the organization’s top-30 prospects at some point.
More from Phillies Rumors
- Phillies rumors: Club targets Seth Lugo for possible bullpen role
- Could Phillies sign 2nd former Mets starting pitcher in same offseason?
- Phillies rumor: Dansby Swanson could be club’s alternative to Trea Turner
- Rob Thomson apology hints possible Phillies blockbuster signing
- Phillies rumors: Club likely to land top shortstop on free-agent market
Gomez currently rates 16th and Hammer 24th, per MLB Pipeline.
Ottavino has dominated across the board despite playing in Colorado 14 times this season. In fact, opponents are hitting just .067 off him in Colorado compared to .121 on the road.
The righty’s splits are almost identical against left and right-handed opponents, with southpaws hitting .094 and righties going .106 with only two extra-base hits allowed all year.
Ottavino has only allowed four earned runs this year, half of which came on one swing from Justin Upton with a two-run home run.
Most importantly, Ottavino is among the National League leaders with 16 holds, and has only allowed 2 of 15 inherited runners to score.
One thing to watch with Ottavino is he’s coming off the disabled list with an oblique injury, which can become complicated. He missed three weeks with the injury, but has still appeared in 33 games.
Could it take three lottery ticket prospects to acquire Ottavino, similar to the deal it took Colorado to acquire Neshek? Both were on expiring deals in their mid-30s with great success, and the front offices of both organizations have stayed intact since making the deal.
Names such as Connor Seabold, Jonathan Guzman, and Nick Maton, none of whom are playing above Double-A, could be trade options in this type of deal.
Next: Phillies: Power Ranking Players from 2008
Also of note, Ottavino would be just the second Phillie to wear the single-digit 0 and the first since Al Oliver in 1984.