5 Phillies bullpen trade candidates from clubs already falling out of contention

Mason Miller, OAK

Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller's name has been mentioned in trade rumors recently. He has converted 12 of his 13 save opportunities this season and will require a lot in return. Should the Phillies consider a deal involving the 25-year-old and will Oakland's projected high trade demands force Philly to pursue other options?

Miller has a 2.28 ERA two months into the season. His pitch arsenal consists primarily of a four-seam fastball and a slider. He also throws a changeup and a splitter. His expected batting average (.118), expected slugging percentage (.183), weighted on-base average (.195), expected weighted on-base average (.180), strikeout rate (51.5), and expected ERA (1.28) all rank in the top one percent of MLB.

It's understandable why the Athletics' asking price is so high. Why would they consider trading such a promising player? Oakland is 25-38 and 10.0 games back of the AL West-leading Seattle Mariners.

The A's farm system ranks No. 25 in the league. If Miller continues to pitch like one of the best closers, the club may receive an offer in exchange for a few young players to boost their prospect system. He will also be under club control for five more seasons with two more pre-arbitration years remaining.

Will the Phillies entertain adding the promising closer in exchange for some of their top prospects?

Ryan Pressly, HOU

Ryan Pressly, a good closer for the Houston Astros the last few seasons, entered the year in a new role after the Astros agreed to a huge contract with Josh Hader in the offseason.

Pressly finished with 90 saves in 102 opportunities from 2021 to 2023. The veteran reliever was particularly dominant for the team during the postseason, going 14-for-14 in saves from 2020 through 2023. The right-hander features a variety of pitch types in his arsenal, usually throwing a slider, a curveball, and a four-seam fastball. The experienced reliever also throws a changeup and a sinker.

Pressly hasn't adjusted to the setup role seamlessly thus far. The right-hander has a 5.01 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP in 23 1/3 innings over 25 appearances. He has also blown four of his five save opportunities.

Could Pressly be showing signs of decline? He has lost velocity on his four-seamer since last year. So far this season, his maximum exit velocity of 115.7 mph is in the bottom four percent of MLB. His 47.5 hard-hit rate is in the bottom eight percent.

At 28-35, the Astros may look to move on from the veteran if he continues to struggle. After a slow start, they're 7.5 games back in the AL West and 6.5 games out of a Wild Card. They may be in the unfamiliar position of being sellers at the July 30 trade deadline.

Jordan Romano, TOR

Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano has had a decent year despite his 6.59 ERA in 15 games. In 13 2/3 innings, he's 8-for-9 in save opportunities. Over the last few seasons, he has been one of MLB's fairly reliable closers. In 2022, he finished tied for fourth with 36 saves. He finished with 36 saves again the following year, tied for fifth.

At 29-32, the Blue Jays are 14.0 games back in the AL East and 4.0 games out of the Wild Card. If Toronto decides to sell in July, Romano could be targeted by clubs looking to improve their bullpen.

Romano has one more year of team control before he becomes a free agent at the end of next year. If a club acquires him this year, they could trade him at next year's deadline.

Romano throws a slider and a four-seam fastball. Even though he has a high ERA this year, he finished with ERAs of 2.14, 2.11 and 2.90 from 2021 to 2023. He had a decent April with a 3.18 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP in six games and 4-for-4 in save opportunities.

Now on the IL, May was a struggle for Romano with a 9.00 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and four saves in five chances. After allowing two earned runs in April, the closer surrendered eight in May. If he gets healthy, a change of scenery could help him if he continues to struggle with the Blue Jays.

Tanner Scott, MIA

Tanner Scott has had a solid year for a struggling Miami Marlins club. After having mixed results in April, he excelled in May.

Entering May, Scott had a 2.84 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP. He has lowered his ERA to 1.50 by not allowing an earned run since April 14 and now has a 1.33 WHIP. If he continues his solid play in June, clubs looking to improve their bullpens will be contacting the Marlins before the trade deadline.

The Marlins closer has three pitch types in his arsenal: a four-seam fastball, a slider and a seldom-used changeup. He ranks in the top three percent of baseball with an expected batting average of .175 and an expected slugging percentage of .273.

Scott will be a free agent after the season and wouldn't cost the Phillies as much as some of the other available relievers. The Marlins got off to a terrible start this year and already traded Luis Arraez to the San Diego Padres in May. The organization will continue to listen to offers as the trade deadline approaches.

With Scott added to the bullpen, the Phillies would have four left-handers they could use in high-leverage situations along with Matt Strahm, Gregory Soto, and José Alvarado. The Marlins closer would provide more value for Philadelphia if one or more of their left-handed bullpen pitchers is on the IL near the trade deadline.

Ryan Helsley, STL

Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals is off to an exceptional start through the first two months of the season. He has been one of the best closers in baseball in 2024, and his 20 saves lead the majors.

The Cardinals' season was in trouble when they were 18-25 in mid-May. Despite now being 29-31, they still sit 6.0 games back in the NL Central but just 0.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot. If they falter again and drop out of the race, Helsley will be a valuable trade chip.

The right-hander primarily relies on a four-seam fastball and a slider and throws a curveball on occasion. He has a 2.33 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP in 27 innings of work.

Several playoff-bound clubs will inquire if Helsley is available if the Cardinals fall out of the postseason race by mid-July or sooner. St. Louis could receive a lot in a trade for him, as he's under club control through 2025. They'll be looking to improve their 23rd-ranked farm system.

Philadelphia could be one of those teams especially if they are dealing with multiple injuries to relievers when the deadline is near.

While Thomson hasn't named a closer, José Alvarado leads Philly with 11 saves in 12 chances. Jeff Hoffman has five saves in eight opportunities, while Gregory Soto has converted each of his two save opportunities. Adding Helsley to the mix would undoubtedly help the bullpen.