The Phillies missed out on Erick Fedde
Although Crochet didn’t end up with a new home post-deadline, his Chicago White Sox teammate Erick Fedde did, as part of a three-team trade that landed him in St. Louis. Fedde had been one of the few bright spots on a struggling White Sox team this season, posting a 7-4 record with a 3.11 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 108 strikeouts in 121 2/3 innings prior to the trade.
With other pieces involved in the three-team trade transaction, including reliever Michael Kopech and outfielder Tommy Pham being moved by the White Sox as well, the White Sox somehow managed to only end up with one top-10 prospect in Miguel Vargas along with two developmental ones in return. This showed that Fedde could have been had by the Phillies at a very minimal price had they chosen to pursue the 31-year-old.
The Phillies should have taken a flier on Paul Blackburn
Paul Blackburn may not be a name that teams would quickly jump on for bolstering a rotation. Nevertheless, he would have been a decent under-the-radar target that the Phillies should have considered at the deadline. Having spent his entire career with the Oakland Athletics prior to the trade deadline, Blackburn could always be counted upon to provide solid innings while maintaining an ERA close to 4.00.
As an ideal back end of the rotation piece, he would have provided valuable starting pitching depth if Walker, Turnbull or Phillips were to fail to solidify the No. 5 spot down the stretch. The fact that the New York Mets only had to give up the No. 25 prospect in their system, right-handed pitcher Kade Morris, to get Blackburn, shows how easily the Phillies could have made that move without hurting their prospect capital.
This missed opportunity, despite seemingly a minor move on the surface, could have potentially paid big dividends for Philadelphia. Now, they have to hope that the starting depth they already have will work out.