4 expendable Phillies players who the team can move before the trade deadline

Gregory Soto

Much of the talk this season has been about the absolute dominance of the Phillies bullpen. The relief corps has really locked things down recently as one of the top bullpens. However, a weak link still exists among the core group, which is none other than struggling left-hander Gregory Soto.

When the Phillies first acquired Soto from the Detroit Tigers last January, they believed that they had added a key back-end piece to their bullpen puzzle in the process, joining the likes of dominant flamethrowers José Alvarado and Seranthony Domínguez. After all, Soto had been a two-time All-Star and the Tigers’ shutdown closer in the two previous seasons just prior to joining the Phillies.

However, Soto has failed to find his footing, now already almost halfway through his second season with the club. He has been an absolute disaster following a semi-strong start to the season. In 27 games, he has an abysmal 4.57 ERA and 1.85 WHIP, with just four holds while giving up 11 earned runs, 14 walks and 25 strikeouts in 21 2/3 innings pitched. Despite registering just one blown save this year, Soto is no longer viewed as a reliable arm in high-leverage situations.