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Phillies: 3 Rays trade targets to keep an eye on this series

By Matt Rappa |
Ryan Yarbrough #48 of the Tampa Bay Rays (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Ryan Yarbrough #48 of the Tampa Bay Rays (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
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Front offices of the Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays surely have had each other on speed dial the past four seasons. Since June 2017, the 2008 World Series rivals have made several trades with each other — the most recent being a three-way swap.

In December, the Phillies acquired left-hander Jose Alvarado from the Rays, while sending fellow southpaw Garrett Cleavinger to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Last August, the Phillies sent right-hander Edgar García to Tampa Bay for a player to be named later (PTBNL) or cash considerations. In November 2019, the Phillies acquired left-hander Cristopher Sanchez — who recently almost threw a combined no-hitter with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs — for minor-league infielder Curtis Mead. In July 2018, the Phillies acquired catcher Wilson Ramos for a PTBNL or cash considerations, while dealing left-hander Hoby Milner in a separate trade for cash. Lastly, in June 2017, the Phillies traded infielder Taylor Featherston for cash.

Long story short, the two teams have made at least one trade in four consecutive years. If the trend continues into 2021 — with Dave Dombrowski leading the baseball operations department — there is no better time for the Phillies to see potential acquisitions first-hand than this weekend.

Here are three Rays trade targets to keep an eye on during the Phillies and Rays’ two-game Memorial Day Weekend series at Tropicana Field. Perhaps, Dombrowski and Erik Neander, Rays Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager, will work out a trade not too long thereafter.

Mike Brosseau #43 of the Tampa Bay Rays (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
Mike Brosseau #43 of the Tampa Bay Rays (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

1. Mike Brosseau

Currently, the Tampa Bay Rays are 32-20 and a half game ahead of the Boston Red Sox for first place in the American League East. So, if the Phillies and Rays do make a trade, it would have to benefit both clubs — as they strive to make the postseason and potentially meet again in the Fall Classic, 13 years later.

Three-year veteran Mike Brosseau is not an everyday starter for the Rays, yet he provides value through versatility. Since debuting in June 2019, Brosseau has played first base, second base, third base, left field and right field. Overall, he has committed just five errors spanning 330 chances and 773 1/3 innings, all the while turning 41 double plays.

It is no secret that the 2021 Phillies have among the worst defenses in Major League Baseball — with their 0.59 team errors per game ranking as the 12th-worst. Third baseman Alec Bohm, specifically, is tied with two other players for committing the fifth-most errors (8).

Brosseau would help improve the Phillies defense in late-game situations, while also being a bench bat with capability of producing extra-base hits. In 101 at-bats this season, the 27-year-old has slugged five doubles, four home runs, and 13 RBI. Also, in his most recent game against the Kansas City Royals, he notably walked three times in four plate appearances. In early May, Brosseau broke up an eighth-inning no-hit bid with a clutch double.

The Phillies could always use a bench upgrade with a player like Brosseau.

Collin McHugh #31 of the Tampa Bay Rays (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Collin McHugh #31 of the Tampa Bay Rays (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

2. Collin McHugh

Among the glaring holes on the the Phillies roster is back-end rotation depth, and in turn long-relief depth. The Phillies thought that they would have Vince Velasquez at their disposal if needed to eat innings following a short start from either Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, Zach Eflin, Matt Moore, or Chase Anderson.

However, neither Moore nor Anderson have worked out so far, resulting in manager Joe Girardi having to use Velasquez — and even top pitching prospect Spencer Howard — in the rotation in their place.

Nine-year veteran Collin McHugh not only has experience starting, but also pitching out of the bullpen. The 2017 World Series champion went 58-35 with a 3.63 ERA in 195 games and 110 starts for the Houston Astros between 2014 and 2019. After opting out of the 2020 season due to the pandemic, McHugh is now with the Rays and has posted a 4.02 ERA and 1.404 WHIP ratio, while striking out 23 batters and walking just six, through 15 2/3 innings this season.

On Thursday, McHugh pitched a scoreless ninth inning en route to a 7-2 Rays win against the Kansas City Royals. He struck out two of his five batters faced, while tossing 27 pitches and 19 strikes.

If the Phillies do make the postseason somehow in 2021, McHugh would provide valuable experience. In the 2018 postseason opposite the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox, McHugh pitched a combined four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and no walks while striking out five batters. In the 2017 World Series, McHugh had a 13.50 ERA, but helped the Astros to the Fall Classic by tossing four scoreless innings in that year’s ALCS against Joe Girardi‘s New York Yankees.

Ryan Yarbrough #48 of the Tampa Bay Rays (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Ryan Yarbrough #48 of the Tampa Bay Rays (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

3. Ryan Yarbrough

Left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough would also help the Phillies’ starting pitching depth woes. Like Collin McHugh, he has been used both as a starting pitcher and reliever in his career. Also, since southpaw Matt Moore has pitched his way out of the team’s starting rotation, the Phillies could desperately use a left-handed presence to complement Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, and Zach Eflin.

This season, Yarbrough — who will start in Saturday afternoon’s Phillies-Rays series opener opposite Wheeler  — is 2-3 with a 4.27 ERA and 1.215 WHIP ratio spanning 52 2/3 innings, six starts and four relief outings.

Yarbrough has tossed six innings and surrendered just three earned runs in each of his two most recent starts — both on the road — opposite the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays. His two winning decisions so far in 2021 were also on the road, opposite the New York Yankees (5 IP, 2 H, 1 ER) and Los Angeles Angels (4 IP, 5 H, 1 ER).

In 2018, Yarbrough finished fifth in the American League Rookie of the Year Award race, going an impressive 16-6 with a 3.91 ERA. The following year, he went 11-6 with a 4.13 ERA. Spanning three appearances (including one start) during last year’s World Series, Yarbrough allowed just two runs in 4 2/3 innings opposite Los Angeles Dodgers batters.

While the 29-year-old Austin, Texas, native has fallen on the Rays rotation and bullpen depth chart in recent years, perhaps he could resurrect his career while donning red pinstripes.

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