That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies: Three Blockbuster Trades They Can Make

By David Esser

SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 12: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs and Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals stand together at the batting cage prior to the 87th MLB All-Star Game at PETCO Park on July 12, 2016 in San Diego, California. The American League defeated the National League 4-2. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 12: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs and Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals stand together at the batting cage prior to the 87th MLB All-Star Game at PETCO Park on July 12, 2016 in San Diego, California. The American League defeated the National League 4-2. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 19: Starting pitcher Mike Clevinger #52 of the Cleveland Indians pitches during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on September 19, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 19: Starting pitcher Mike Clevinger #52 of the Cleveland Indians pitches during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on September 19, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Mike Clevinger

The Phillies rotation is far from perfect. In fact, it’s far from even being adequate. Just this past week I wrote an article comparing Nick Pivetta and Vince Velasquez of all people as likely back end starters. Even with the addition of Zack Wheeler, the Phillies are currently heading into 2020 with an average starter ERA of 4.30. That’s not good.

Enter right-hander Mike Clevinger. Despite the Cleveland Indians already trading two of their best pitchers away in the last 6 months, it’s been widely reported that they are in fact fielding offers for their current 29 year old ace. Coming off a year in which he went 13-4 with a 2.71 ERA, he is without a doubt one of the top pitchers on the market.

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If the Indians are in fact listening to offers for Clevinger, this is a deal the Phillies should be in on. It’s no secret that the Phillies have struggled with their starters recently, in fact in 2019 they actually ranked as having the 5th worst starting rotation in the National League (in terms of ERA).

Wheeler is a great starting point in rebuilding the Philadelphia pitching staff, but if the Phillies seriously want to contend in 2020, they’ll most likely need at least one more legit starter.

As the title states, these are what one calls “blockbuster trades”. They will not be cheap. In all three of the proposed deals mentioned,  the Phillies #1 prospect Alec Bohm will have to be a part of the trade package. Middleton will have to be willing to go over the luxury tax and guys like Kingery and/or Adam Haseley may be shipped out as well. However, one more “blue chip” player might just be what the Phillies need to push them over the edge into October.

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