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Phillies trade rumors: Latest rumblings leading up to the trade deadline

By George Stockburger

TORONTO, ON - JULY 21: Zach Britton #53 of the Baltimore Orioles delivers a pitch in the eighth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on July 21, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JULY 21: Zach Britton #53 of the Baltimore Orioles delivers a pitch in the eighth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on July 21, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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Phillies trade rumors
TORONTO, ON – JULY 21: Zach Britton #53 of the Baltimore Orioles delivers a pitch in the eighth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on July 21, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Relivers

Perhaps the Phillies biggest need, here are the relievers being mentioned in the latest Phillies trade rumors.

Zach Britton

After being a hot name in the Zach Britton conversation this month the Phillies have apparently drifted off of the Orioles closer. Recent reports from Ken Rosenthal, Jim Bowden, and others have the Yankees, Red Sox, Astros, and Brewers heavily connected to Britton with a week until the deadline.

Indications are the price is too high for Britton for the Phillies to bite, especially with the return of Pat Neshek solidifying the back end of the bullpen.

Don’t completely rule the Phillies out on Britton or any other star reliever, but they’ve appeared to turn their focus away from the 30-year-old lefty.

Jake Diekman

The first of several players mentioned as candidates to reunite with the Phillies in all the Phillies trade rumors is Jake Diekman, who was sent to Texas along with Cole Hamels in 2015 at the deadline.

Diekman lost all but 11 games last year following three colon surgeries in the offseason and early into the regular season. He’s bounced back this year with a 3.28 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 43 appearances for Texas.

Keone Kela

Rangers closer Keone Kela was mentioned in a recent report from Todd Zolecki as someone the team had watched recently. Kela is perfect in save opportunities this season with 23 saves and a 3.18 ERA this year.

Kela’s biggest knock is his inability to pitch to lefties this year with a wide split in 36 games. Lefties are hitting .308 with two home runs while righties hit .123 with no home runs.

The 25-year-old is an under the radar name to watch for at the deadline.

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