3 Significant Zach Eflin upgrades Phillies can make at trade deadline

Jun 15, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo (58) throws to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Chase Field.Mlb Reds At Diamondbacks
Jun 15, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo (58) throws to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Chase Field.Mlb Reds At Diamondbacks
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Frankie Montas
May 31, 2022; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Frankie Montas (47) pitches against the Houston Astros during the seventh inning at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Is Frankie Montas a realistic trade target for the Phillies?

Like Luis Castillo, Frankie Montas might be out of reach for the Phillies, but Dombrowski has pulled off huge trades in the past. Even last season, convincing the Texas Rangers to part with Kyle Gibson, Ian Kennedy, Hans Crouse, and $4M all for Spencer Howard and two low-level prospects is turning out to be a pretty unbalanced haul. He also once convinced the Arizona Diamondbacks to give the Detroit Tigers some guy named Max Scherzer, maybe you’ve heard of him?

Montas has a 3.18 ERA over 19 starts with Oakland this year. Among American League pitchers, he’s eighth in SO/9 and 10th in WHIP.

Montas also won’t hit free agency for the first time until 2024, so it might be worth giving up better prospects for an additional season.

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