Phillies trade rumors: Four rental options at the trade deadline
Phillies trade rumors continue to swirl despite them sitting in first place.
Through 50 games the Phillies are sitting atop the National League East in a strong position to win. They’re on pace with last year’s club with 29 wins in 50 games and two games ahead of the 2008 World Championship team at the same point, but that’s not stopping the Phillies trade rumors.
Despite their success and the addition of several All-Stars, there’s a lot of room to grow. Philadelphia has the seventh-fewest home runs in baseball (53) and their pitchers have given up the fifth-most hits (439).
While the starting staff has a 3.7 WAR, the second-best in baseball behind Washington, the hitter’s WAR is -1.5, 18th in the league.
Improvements can be made across the board for this team, starting with a bullpen that takes fans on a rollercoaster ride every night.
Will Smith
No, we’re not talking about the Fresh Prince/minority owner of the 76ers. We’re talking about one of baseball’s best relievers this year.
The Phillies relievers have been hot and cold this year, but overall their 0.6 WAR is the National League’s third-best entering late May. They’ve allowed 33 percent of inherited runners to score (slightly above league average) and they’ve blown five saves in a season that will require as many wins as necessary to clinch a tight division.
San Francisco Giants reliever Will Smith has quietly become one of baseball’s better relievers this year, converting 12 saves in as many opportunities with a 2.89 ERA. Opposing batters have hit just .172 this year off the lefty.
Smith’s success hasn’t just come this year, as he’s converted 26 of his last 29 save opportunities for San Francisco after missing all of 2017 with Tommy John surgery.
San Francisco is ready to rebuild and the Phillies could give up a couple of mid-level prospects to beef up the back of their bullpen with Smith.
Hunter Pence
A reunion with one of the Phillies final big acquisitions from their last playoff stretch could rejuvenate the bench.
After fighting for a major league job in spring training, Hunter Pence has been lighting it up down in Arlington, hitting .316 with 10 home runs in his first 34 games for the Rangers. Texas is a team continuing to rebuild after going all in a couple of years ago with the Cole Hamels trade.
At 36-years-old Pence has no long-term role in Texas and becomes an intriguing trade chip after most teams counted him out. A two-time World Series champion with the San Francisco Giants, Pence brings playoff experience the Phillies need. The trade return shouldn’t be more than a mid-level prospect the Rangers can develop in their minor league system.
While not an everyday outfielder for the Phillies at this point in his career, Pence would supply power off the bench and more of a veteran presence in the locker room. Philadelphia’s bench is extremely weak with Sean Rodriguez and Phil Gosselin filling in after Aaron Altherr and Nick Williams flunked out early in the season.
Phillies pinch hitters are hitting just .165 with one home run this year, and Pence fills the role of a big bat. Could he be the 2019 version of Matt Stairs for Philadelphia?
Martin Maldonado
The Phillies have played their fair share of catchers having started seven since 2016 and 10 since 2014 with the likes of Koyie Hill, Cameron Rupp, and Wil Nieves making cameos for the club.
Carlos Ruiz had solidified the position for so long that addressing the position became an afterthought for years.
Philadelphia Phillies
Thankfully the Phillies have their catcher of the future with J.T. Realmuto, arguably the best catcher in baseball. Signed through next season the Phillies and Realmuto are expected to engage in contract extension talks after the team sent top prospect Sixto Sanchez, catcher Jorge Alfaro, and pitcher Will Stewart to Miami.
Behind Realmuto, however, the Phillies have a weakness in Andrew Knapp. While he’s provided energy on the bench he’s a career .219 hitter who leaves a lot to be desired defensively.
If the Phillies want a rental option to upgrade their defense, Royals catcher Martin Maldonado should be available. While his career batting average is virtually equal to Knapps, his defensive metrics make him a valuable asset.
Last season Fangraphs rated Maldonado as one of the best pitch-framing catchers in baseball. They gave him a 19.2 defensive grade and credited him with four Strike Zone Runs Saved, both second to Yasmani Grandal.
Like Wilson Ramos last year, the Phillies can get Maldonado cheap, upgrade their bench, and have only a couple months tied to him. Kansas City has nearly twice as many losses as wins this year and they’ll be prepared to sell.
Madison Bumgarner
The big fish during this summer’s trade deadline and in Phillies trade rumors will be the three-time World Series champion ace Madison Bumgarner.
From 2011-16 Bumgarner put on spectacular performances and cemented himself in playoff history. His career 2.11 ERA in the postseason is remarkable and the dominance he displayed in the 2014 playoffs for San Francisco is something fans might never see again.
Bumgarner has listed the Phillies on his eight-team no-trade list, which includes the Yankees, Cardinals, Braves, Red Sox, Cubs, Astros, and Brewers. All of those teams are considered playoff and championship contenders, but this list gives Bumgarner some control over where he ends up should San Francisco look to move him.
The chances Philadelphia adds someone like Bumgarner hangs on whether Jerad Eickhoff, Zach Eflin, Nick Pivetta, Vince Velasquez, and now Cole Irvin step up over the next month.
If a piece of the rotation falters the Phillies will face a lot of pressure to add another top of the rotation arm. Bumgarner could be the most expensive option out there despite a 4.21 ERA in 10 starts this year. If his struggles continue the Phillies could go another way or hope he rebounds similar to Justin Verlander after his trade to Houston.
Verlander was much older and had a longer stretch of success prior to the Tigers trading him, so it’s not a perfect comparison, but the scenario of going worst to first could rejuvenate Bumgarner, who turns 30-years-old after the trade deadline.
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Phillies trade rumors should be hot going into the trade deadline, but if they want a short-term answer to the rotation, Bumgarner could be it.