Phillies trade rumors: Front office ‘Ticked off’ by Tyler Anderson debacle
By Matt Rappa
What is the Phillies’ Plan B after missing out on Tyler Anderson?
According to Stark, the Phillies would like to add two relievers and a starting pitcher ahead of Friday’s trade deadline. It is possible, however, that they trade for three relievers and transition Ranger Suarez back to the rotation, the role in which he began his career.
“They have a lot of stuff they are willing to try if they can make the right deals,” Stark said. “Look at Dave’s record at the deadline. He is good at this. Even Tyler Anderson — they weren’t giving up anything. That was a weird situation.”
The problem for the Phillies, however, is that their dire starting pitching need could not have come at a worse time. Other than Max Scherzer, the baseball scribe dubs the current market as the worse he can remember. “It’s a grim group,” Stark said. “Once you get past Scherzer, the top of the market is Kyle Gibson — who walked 8 in his last start. Then, Jon Gray from the Rockies — who has won one game on the road all year.”
Starting pitching names who could be in the Phillies’ wheelhouse include Wade Miley, Andrew Heaney, Zach Davies, and Alex Cobb, Stark noted. As far as the bullpen, Stark believes Dombrowski can acquire “one really good reliever,” but it is “doubtful” they land Craig Kimbrel from the Chicago Cubs. Instead, a “Daniel Hudson kind of guy.”
“They’re in on good relievers,” he added. “Taylor Rogers, the left-hander from the Twins … I know he’s hurt, but he’s great. Paul Fry and Tanner Scott, I know they like — both left-handers with really good stuff.”