3 moves the Phillies can make in last 24 hours before trade deadline
It’s 4 PM Eastern, which means the MLB Trade Deadline is exactly 24 hours away.
The Philadelphia Phillies have been quiet – almost too quiet – this week, considering Dave Dombrowski‘s announcement that the front office plans to be “aggressive” at the deadline. But maybe they’re just waiting to make a splash on Friday.
If that’s the case, it’s a bold strategy, considering how many solid options have been scooped up already. Phillies fans have watched players they wanted land elsewhere, including Ryan Tepera, Tyler Anderson, Andrew Chafin, and Mychal Givens, to name a few.
But there’s still time! Here are three moves the Phillies can and maybe should make in the final 24 hours of trading time…
1. The Phillies need to trade for at least one starting pitcher
The market is thinner than a toothpick at a needle party, but there are still plenty of teams selling this week from whom the Phillies could poach a pitcher or two (or five, but we can’t get greedy).
Losing Anderson to the Seattle Mariners at the last minute was a heavy blow, we can’t pretend otherwise. He’s gone at least five innings in every one of his starts this year, while Phillies starters not named Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola are lucky to get out of the fourth.
Michael Pineda from the Minnesota Twins (3.86 ERA over 14 starts) is still available, and the Phillies have spoken to the Angels about Alex Cobb and Andrew Heaney, too. Cobb has a workable 3.82 ERA over 15 starts this season, and has struck out 84 batters over 77 2/3 innings. Heaney wouldn’t be as impressive of a get for the Phils, as he has a 5.32 ERA over 17 starts for Anaheim this year.
As our friends at Halo Hangout noted, Heaney is drawing interest because teams are desperate. That certainly sounds like the Phillies.
The Angels almost definitely won’t deal Patrick Sandoval, who recently flirted with a no-hitter and isn’t eligible for free agency until 2027. More impressive starters like the Twins’ José Berríos (3.48 ERA, 20 starts) and Nationals ace Max Scherzer (2.83 ERA, 18 starts) are almost certainly out of the Phillies’ reach, but you never know. Dombrowski could pull off the ultimate coup.
2. The Phillies need to upgrade the bullpen
We’ve been saying it for weeks, we’ve been saying it all day, we’re gonna say it again. The Phillies bullpen needs a lifeline. They are tied for the MLB lead in blown saves (23).
Tepera and Chafin are both off the market now, as are Brad Hand and Givens. Craig Kimbrel is still available, but looking more like a pipe dream with every passing minute. Richard Rodriguez feels like the Phils’ best bet, but the Anderson trade drama has left a sour taste in the Phillies’ mouths about dealing with the Pirates.
Jayson Stark said earlier this week that the Phillies are “Ticked off” by how the Pirates handled the stall in the trade and ultimately sent Anderson to the Mariners.
3. The Phillies need to unload some dead weight
Is there anyone in their right mind who would take Vince Velasquez or Matt Moore right now? How about Chase Anderson? Probably not, but Phillies fans and the front office can dream.
Spencer Howard definitely wouldn’t be considered dead weight at this point in his fledgling career, but the Phillies certainly haven’t been able to help him develop into the big-league pitcher he’s supposed to be. Making him the centerpiece of a trade package might net a steadier arm.
Honorable mention: Do nothing
At this point, is it worth it? We’ve gone back and forth on this pretty much every day since the second half of the season began. Sure, the Phillies schedule is on the lighter side, which could be favorable for them. But the Phillies need so much right now, and it doesn’t seem like there’s enough time or players they can realistically get who will move the needle for them.
Next. Phillies trade rumors: Club could lose Kimbrel to this dominant team. dark
