The Philadelphia Phillies are in line to be a top suitor for bullpen help, and recent rumors suggest that includes Pittsburgh Pirates' bullpen arm, Dennis Santana. The 29-year-old right-hander has been a force with Pittsburgh, but another sub-par season has forced them to open for business to top MLB teams willing to make a deal.
The Phillies are very interested in making a move at the July 31 trade deadline, and the bullpen has become priority No. 1 in addressing the current state of the club. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is motivated to keep adding to the team (subscription required), per Jayson Stark of The Athletic, and believes the bullpen is the way to go to ensure postseason success for the Phillies.
Phillies targeting Pirates' Dennis Santana as Dave Dombrowski desperately tries to fix a shaky bullpen
Per Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Phillies are honing in on Santana as a key focus from the Pirates. The Phillies have reportedly thought highly of Santana, and this may be the perfect time to get a deal done to bring him to Philadelphia. A trade would see the Phillies have Santana for the remainder of 2025 and all of 2026.
"The Post-Gazette learned Monday that Philadelphia, which boasts clear issues with the backend of its bullpen, has inquired about both Santana and Bednar," Hiles says.
"Santana, per sources, seems to be Philadelphia’s primary interest, at least for now. The Post-Gazette was told that the Phillies have thought highly of Santana for quite some time — and now could be their chance to strike."
Santana would absolutely fill a hole in the bullpen. Through 37 games, the right-hander has a 2-1 record with a 1.42 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 28 strikeouts in 38 innings. He also has nine holds and five saves in six save opportunities. Among all National League relievers, his 1.42 ERA currently ranks third-best, while his 0.9 fWAR ranks ninth. To slide in someone of Santana's caliber would bring a sigh of relief.
The Phillies' bullpen currently ranks 23rd in ERA (4.35), 18th in strikeout rate (21.9 percent), 23rd in FIP (4.13) and 16th in fWAR (2.0). A ferocious bullpen that terrorized baseball in 2024 has regressed and needs help to get back to that goal for the remainder of 2025.
The Phillies are working an ever-evolving game of musical chairs when it comes to closing out games in 2025. José Alvarado's suspension came at a terrible time. Manager Rob Thomson has mostly relied on a mix of Matt Strahm (3.57 ERA), Orion Kerkering (2.34 ERA) and Jordan Romano (6.82 ERA) since then.
The offense has carried them at times, but a faulty bullpen can have huge consequences when the games matter more in October. It may cost the team some important prospects, but the Phillies have to make something happen as the trade deadline quickly approaches.