Phillies: 3 Rhys Hoskins trades that need to be considered

Rhys Hoskins to the Milwaukee Brewers for Josh Hader

The Phillies may or may not need to add other pieces to the aforementioned blockbuster deals to acquire either Indians relievers or star Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Justus Sheffield. If they want to really make a splash this offseason by landing star Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader, they surely would have to part ways with more assets.

But, them doing so would mean a significant upgrade to the back-end of their rotation.

Prior to the August 31 trade deadline, there was reportedly a “lot of buzz” regarding the Phillies being one the teams involved in trade talks for Hader. No trade ultimately materialized with the Phillies, nor with any other club.

Hader would go on to finish 2020 with a career-worst 3.79 ERA across 21 appearances. Still, that 3.79 ERA would be well-received — in an effort to improve a Phillies bullpen that in 2020 posted the second-worst combined ERA in Major League Baseball history.

The 26-year-old and two-time All-Star has a 2.54 career ERA; over the past three seasons, he has recorded 62 saves while blowing just 14.

Phillies relievers blew 12 saves in 2020 alone.

The Brewers might try to pry top Phillies hitting prospect shortstop Bryson Stott, or the recently drafted RHP Mick Abel, along with Hoskins in a deal for Hader. They could use a long-term upgrade at all three positions to complement former Most Valuable Player Christian Yelich for years to come. The Brewers could particularly use an upgrade at first base with Hoskins, considering Jedd Gyorko, Jace Peterson, Daniel Vogelbach, and Ryon Healy do not seem to be long-term solutions.

The Phillies would have to think long and hard as to whether they should deal the highly regarded Stott, or any other prospect, as part of a blockbuster trade package for Hader.