Phillies trade rumor: The latest buzz at the trade deadline
![PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 29: General manager Matt Klentak of the Philadelphia Phillies talks to the media prior to the game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on September 29, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fthatballsouttahere-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F865385826-850x560-adf9f4e706a273894cdd6a69d8463edf.jpg)
It’s trade deadline day, so what’s the latest Phillies trade rumor?
Phillies trade rumor news has been buzzing for the last couple of weeks as the team has slipped in the National League East. With hours left in the MLB trade deadline the buzz is very quiet regarding the Phillies.
Some of that has to do with what general manager Matt Klentak has already done in the trade market this year. He jumped out early by adding Jay Bruce in the deal with Seattle back in early June.
Certainly the addition of Jason Vargas via the Mets and the emergence of free agent addition Drew Smyly has dampened the buzz regarding Matthew Boyd, Madison Bumgarner, and Mike Minor. The Phillies have been heavily connected to Minor, Zach Greinke, and Robbie Ray over the last year, but nothing has percolated regarding those pitchers since the Vargas trade.
Reliever Blake Parker was added as a low-risk bullpen piece, but he had a 4.21 ERA in Minnesota. Philadelphia will hope he pulls out the stuff he had in Chicago and Los Angeles, but that’s a big ask.
Considering the health of David Robertson I do expect the Phillies to add a reliever before the trade deadline ends. They’ve been connected to Alex Colomé in Chicago and Ken Giles prior to an elbow issue.
Look for some bench pieces added like last season, potentially a big slugger like Justin Smoak. Could Klentak upgrade the backup catcher position like he did last year when he added Wilson Ramos over Andrew Knapp?
Next. Deadline deals of the last decade. dark
I think a lot of things are still on the table for Philadelphia, but it sounds like they’re going to avoid going all-in on a rental player and try to hold onto prospects such as Alec Bohm and Spencer Howard.