3 players Phillies should target at trade deadline with prospect surplus

The Philadelphia Phillies look to be one of several clubs that will be buyers leading up to the MLB trade deadline. MLB.com's Mark Feinsand lists the Phillies as one of 15 teams that appear to be buyers at the beginning of June. Which players could Philadelphia look to add in exchange for players from their prospect pool?

Since the start of the year, the Phillies have needed another pitcher in their bullpen. Jordan Romano got off to a slow start in April. However, in May, the right-hander performed like the reliever Philly was hoping to see when they signed him in free agency last winter.

Philadelphia suffered an unexpected loss in May when José Alvarado received an 80-game PED suspension. The left-hander will be out until mid-August, and the postseason, should the club advance. Even though Romano has emerged as an effective late-inning reliever over the past month, aside from his setbacks last week, the Phillies will certainly look to add at least one more reliever by the end of July.

Teams that will be sellers at the trade deadline will seek to improve their farm systems by trading experienced players who will be free agents this offseason. With an improving farm system, the Phillies have some expendable prospects they could move. Which players should the Phillies target at the deadline to bolster their depth?

Here's who the Phillies should target at the trade deadline

Ryan Helsley, RHP, STL

The Phillies have been a rumored destination for reliever Ryan Helsley since April, before Alvarado's suspension. No matter how healthy the Phillies' bullpen may be, the club will look to add at least one reliever by the trade deadline following Alvarado's suspension. Helsley may still be traded this summer by the St. Louis Cardinals, even though the club is in the Wild Card hunt for a playoff spot.

Helsley will be a free agent following the 2025 season, and St. Louis appears unlikely to sign him, which is why he has been in trade rumors this year. The right-hander isn't having as good a season as a year ago. He has a 3.52 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 23 innings, with 13 saves in 17 chances.

The Cardinals' reliever will be one of the more sought-after pitchers on the trade market leading up to the July 31 deadline. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski will need to have multiple contingencies in place should he be unable to make a trade for Helsley. He may be worth trading prospects for, especially if Philadelphia can sign him to a contract extension.

Ryan O'Hearn, OF/1B, BAL

The Baltimore Orioles had a disappointing start to their season due to injuries and a lack of production from some of their star players. The club is attempting to get back in the playoff picture. However, they have plenty of players who will interest teams that are clearly in the postseason mix.

Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins has been mentioned in trade rumors, but Ryan O'Hearn is another position player that the club could look to deal, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. O'Hearn is having a successful year offensively, with a .316/.397/.500 line, an .897 OPS and nine home runs in 54 games.

O'Hearn has played at first base, left and right field, and been used in the designated hitter role this season for the Orioles. Philadelphia would presumably use him in their outfield, considering Kyle Schwarber is their DH and they have Bryce Harper at first base.

While the Phillies have plenty of reliable left-handed hitters, O'Hearn's production this year should make Dombrowski consider a trade. Philadelphia may look to add another positional player by the deadline, especially if they are dealing with injuries by the trade deadline. O'Hearn is not a home run hitter but has been successful at getting on base. A team, such as the Phillies, that is looking for reinforcements at the deadline, should consider trading for him.

Kyle Finnegan, RHP, WSH

Kyle Finnegan is another reliever who playoff-contending teams looking to add to their bullpen will target, especially the Phillies, according to Passan. He has been one of the few bright spots for a Washington Nationals bullpen that ranks near the bottom of the league in ERA.

The Nationals' closer has consistently been one of the best in MLB, ranking second in the league with 18 saves in 21 opportunities. He has a 2.38 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings, relying heavily on his 51.5 percent ground ball rate to get outs. If Washington makes Finnegan available, Philadelphia should be interested in acquiring him.

The Nationals and Phillies are in the same division, so it remains a possibility that a deal would not occur at the deadline. However, if Philadelphia offers enough for Finnegan, it would get the attention of Washington's front office to listen to a trade proposal.

Finnegan would bolster the Phillies' bullpen with him and a more effective Romano in their setup and closer roles. Philadelphia will aim to improve its bullpen depth by the end of July, and trading for Washington's closer will certainly do that.

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