Phillies trade rumor: Club interested in closer Alex Colomé
Another Phillies trade rumor has emerged after the club made their first deadline deal.
On the same day Phillies general manager Matt Klentak acquired pitcher Jason Vargas from the Mets, another Phillies trade rumor regarding a pitcher emerged.
According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com the Phillies have “continued interest” in Chicago White Sox closer Alex Colomé.
The 30-year-old reliever has a 2.27 ERA and 21 saves for the White Sox after being traded from Seattle during the offseason. In 2017 he saved a league-high 47 games for the Tampa Bay Rays.
Source: #Phillies showing continued interest in #WhiteSox closer Álex Colomé. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 29, 2019
Aside from his impressive numbers, Colomé has another year of arbitration eligibility remaining.
There’s a question around baseball regarding whether the White Sox will sell at the deadline despite being 11 games under .500. They’re reportedly eyeing the 2020 season as the year their playoff window opens thanks to several young players starting to emerge from the minors.
Giving up a valuable closer with another year of control might not make sense for the White Sox unless the Phillies can blow them away with an offer.
Philadelphia certainly needs some back of the bullpen help after Klentak told reporters that it is unliekly free agent pickup David Robertson returns before September. Robertson, who signed a two-year deal with an option, has only pitched in seven games due to an arm injury.
The Phillies bullpen has allowed 5.00 runs per game this year, slightly higher than the league average. With Hector Neris as the primary closer the club has converted 66 percent of their save opportunities, also just above league average.
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Philadelphia has also been connected to relievers Ken Giles and Shane Greene as the MLB trade deadline draws closer.