The Philadelphia Phillies look like a team that could benefit from changes to its current roster. They finally snapped a five-game losing streak on Saturday against the Chicago Cubs. While it is only a month into the season, Philadelphia is not playing like a playoff team. They have won just over half of their games and look like an average team. The sports expression, "You are as good as your record," applies to how they have performed.
If the Phillies show progress and seek to make additions during the summer, they will add to their bullpen and outfield, unless injuries at other positions play a factor. These two groups were a focus of president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski at last year's trade deadline. Given how things have gone in April, Philadelphia could benefit from adding to these two position groups.
The Phillies are perhaps entering a turning point with the organization. This may be the last season the club has a legitimate chance at being a World Series contender with a few veterans in their final years under contract. If they add the right players at the deadline, it could be the difference if the franchise wins a championship. However, they need to begin to play better to have an opportunity to be buyers at the trade deadline.
Here are some players the organization should monitor the trade status of to see if they are available to acquire later in the season.
3 way-too-early Phillies trade deadline targets we should already be monitoring
Emilio Pagán, RHP, CIN
Philadelphia has had bullpen concerns early on this year, with the relievers being unreliable. They have not converted seven of 14 opportunities, which is the most in baseball. New additions Jordan Romano and Joe Ross have been underwhelming in their first month with the organization.
Dombrowski will look into upgrading the bullpen by the trade deadline. If the Phillies' relievers continue to lose games or surrender leads, they will need an upgrade. Cincinnati Reds' closer Emilio Pagán has done well, saving seven of eight games this season. He has a 2.70 ERA and 0.53 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and just two walks in 13 1/3 innings.
Pagán has not been used exclusively as a closer in his career. The most saves he has during his time in the majors came in 2019 when he had 20 in 29 chances with the Tampa Bay Rays. He finished with nine in 16 chances with the Minnesota Twins in 2022.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson may not even use Pagán in the ninth inning if the Phillies acquire him. José Alvarado has done well with five saves in as many opportunities. Pagán could be used in a role such as in the middle innings or the eighth.
The Phillies' relievers who need to improve may do so as the year progresses. Bullpen pitchers tend to be erratic. Front offices of contending teams usually make additions to their relief corps by the trade deadline because of this and injuries that may occur during the regular season.
Regardless of injuries or how the bullpen is doing, look for Dombrowski to add to the position group by the deadline. Pagán, a pending free agent, is one reliever who could improve Philly's depth if he continues to do well and the Reds are sellers leading up to the deadline.