The rumor mill is heating up as the 2025 MLB trade deadline is just over a month away. The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to be active, particularly in the late-inning, high-leverage reliever market, to help shore up some weaknesses heading into the second half of the season.
Teams are beginning to fall out of the playoff picture, and those looking to make a playoff push are closely monitoring the availability of impact players. Teams are always looking to add bullpen arms, so the Phillies will have competition when making calls to other organizations.
Not only could the Phillies use a high-leverage reliever, or two, at the deadline, but they could look into acquiring an outfield bat to upgrade an inconsistent platoon situation in left and center field.
The Phillies had two All-Star relievers last year in Matt Strahm and Jeff Hoffman, and still brought in two new faces at the trade deadline. With the Phillies owning the eighth-worst bullpen ERA (4.50) in 2025, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski must address the weakness.
Phillies trading for A's closer Mason Miller is as crazy as it sounds
Athletics closer Mason Miller will be one of the top relievers that teams looking for bullpen help will have a significant interest in (subscription required), per The Athletic's Jim Bowden. The right-hander has been the subject of trade rumors over the last two years because of his dominance in the back end of the A’s bullpen and All-Star season a year ago.
After owning a 2.49 ERA with 28 saves and 104 strikeouts in 65 innings last year, Miller hasn’t been as dominant in 2025. The 26-year-old is 1-2 with a 5.13 ERA, but he has 14 saves and 45 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings.
Miller’s ERA was impacted after allowing five earned runs in 2/3 innings against the Miami Marlins on May 3. His ERA jumped from 1.50 to 4.97, and it's now even higher entering action on Wednesday.
It has been suggested that the Phillies try to trade for Miller, but the A’s are unlikely to trade the 26-year-old. He's under club control for four more years, and it would take a massive haul to pry him away.
An even unlikelier trade discussed by Joe DeCamara, Jon Ritchie, James Seltzer and Devan Kaney on the 94WIP Morning Show involves a superstar outfielder and Millville, N.J., native.
The Mike Trout-to-Phillies trade drums are banging again
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, a massive Philadelphia Eagles fan, has been linked to the Phillies throughout his entire career. It’s been a dream of Phillies fans to have Trout suiting up for his hometown team, and it’s an annual discussion when the trade deadline rolls around.
Trout has cemented himself as one of the greatest to step foot on a baseball diamond. The former first-round pick is a three-time MVP, 11-time All-Star, nine-time Silver Slugger and was the 2012 AL Rookie of the Year. Not only has Trout won three MVP Awards, but he has finished in the top five in voting six other times, including four second-place finishes.
Unfortunately, Trout has been plagued by injuries over the past few years, which have affected his legacy. He appeared in 266 of a possible 648 games from 2021 through 2024, including just 29 a season ago.
Despite heating up recently, Trout is having a down year at the plate in 2025, hitting .229 in 46 games. The 15-year veteran has just two doubles, 11 home runs and 27 RBIs, numbers that are below what fans are accustomed to seeing from him.
Trout caught the pole 😏 pic.twitter.com/PSeMW56VPq
— MLB (@MLB) June 14, 2025
After spending most of his career in center field, Trout has appeared only in right field this season with the Angels and is used as the designated hitter quite a lot. His speed is not what it used to be earlier in his career, and he has just two stolen bases this year.
Despite a down year at the plate, Trout would significantly upgrade the Phillies’ outfield and lineup. The dream of Trout and Bryce Harper, two of the greatest players of this generation, featured in the same lineup would cause shockwaves throughout the baseball world.
Trout has five years remaining on his contract and will make over $37.1 million annually. He has a full no-trade clause, and it would take a haul for the Angels to part with the face of their franchise. The idea of Trout becoming a Phillie will remain a pipe dream.