The Philadelphia Phillies desperately need some bullpen help; specifically left-handed hurlers. The current grouping of Tim Mayza, Kyle Backhus, José Alvarado and Tanner Banks leaves much to be desired, and opposing team’s right-handed hitters will feast come playoff time. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski needs to bring in a quality southpaw or two, and the trade deadline is the time to do it. Let’s break down a few lefties who the Phillies could bring in to fix his problem.
Aroldis Chapman
Let’s get this one out of the way quickly. Future Hall of Famer Aroldis Chapman would be the most coveted left-handed relief arm on the trade market this summer, and considering the Boston Red Sox’s unimpressive record (when they're not playing the Yankees), there’s a very good chance he’ll be up for grabs.
The 38-year-old is still pumping triple-digit gas and has punched out 32 hitters in just 24 ⅔ innings of work with a 2.19 ERA this year. Chapman would do wonders for the Phillies, but considering their lack of prospect capital and the sky-high package he’ll command, Dombrowski probably won’t go fishing in these waters.
Jovani Morán
Fortunately, the Red Sox have another solid lefty who shouldn’t warrant nearly the same kind of return as Chapman in the form of Jovani Morán. The soft-tossing 29-year-old hasn’t gotten a full year’s worth of big league time before this season, but he’s making the most of his Red Sox opportunity.
In 22 games thus far, the Puerto Rican has posted a terrific 3.12 ERA with 41 strikeouts over 34 ⅔ innings of work. Morán wouldn’t be the sexiest acquisition, but he shouldn’t cost much and he can be controlled for four more years.
Brennan Bernardino
The Red Sox seem to be all over this list, as next up is former Boston hurler Brennan Bernardino. The 34-year-old is now a Colorado Rockie after signing an eminently affordable one-year, $925,000 deal this past winter, and has repaid them nicely with a 3.34 ERA across 41 games.
It doesn't need to cost a fortune to upgrade the Phillies' bullpen at trade deadline
Bernadino is a late bloomer, having debuted in the majors back in 2022 at the ripe age of 30, and Colorado is likely inclined to cash him in for a lottery ticket prospect or two. If that’s the case, the Phillies should be all over him as a nice depth piece.
Caleb Ferguson
The well-traveled Caleb Ferguson has worn six different uniforms during his eight-year major league career, and now finds himself back in his native Ohio with the Cincinnati Reds. At 40-47, the Redlegs aren’t particularly likely to earn a Wild Card spot, and should cash in the impending free agent in a few weeks.
Ferguson has been dynamite in 15 games this year, putting up a sparkling 1.76 ERA and fanning 15 batters. He’s another guy who shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, but could really help out an ailing Phillies’ pen.
Brooks Raley
Ah yes, the New York Mets. What else is one to do other than laugh at their misfortune? The Phillies’ division rivals have the second-highest payroll in the sport, and almost $400 million has bought them a tragic 36-52 record. Having fired their manager, Carlos Mendoza, the team is dead in the water and should be trading anything that isn’t nailed down this summer.
Dombrowski should look to take advantage of his enemy’s misfortune and target aging reliever Brooks Raley. The 38-year-old is slated to reach free agency at the conclusion of this season, and has pitched to an excellent 2.32 ERA over 34 appearances. With 291 games’ worth of big league experience to his credit, Raley could be just the guy for the Phillies to turn to in pivotal postseason games.
A.J. Minter
The Phillies could use more than one capable left-handed addition, and they could further prey on the Mets to pick up another one in the form of A.J. Minter. The longtime Atlanta Brave is in the back half of a two-year, $22 million contract with the Mets in which he’s only pitched in 27 total games due to lat tear he suffered last year.
Fortunately, Minter has returned to form this season with a perfect 0.00 ERA across 14 innings in New work. His not insignificant salary and ticking clock should lead the Mets to offload him for whatever they can get, and the Phillies could surely use him.
Sam Henges
Longtime Cleveland Guardian Sam Hentges is in his first season on the West Coast, having signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the San Francisco Giants this past offseason. The 29-year-old has made good on that with a 2.40 ERA in 20 contests in the Bay Area, and is controllable for one additional season via arbitration.
The Giants are going nowhere at 36-51 on the year, and their high-priced core has been a disaster all year. It wouldn’t be shocking to see shotcaller Buster Posey start selling off pieces in an effort to build for the future. There’s a decent chance Hentges regresses a bit from his marvelous start to the year, but even if he finishes closer to his 4.06 career ERA, the Minnesotan would be a valuable addition to the Phillies’ pen.
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