The Phillies could have had Tanner Scott but dropped the ball
We have learned that the Phillies were in hot pursuit of the Miami Marlins' Tanner Scott, the best closer available at the deadline. This was in spite of the fact that they had already reeled in Estévez.
The Athletic's Jayson Stark revealed on 97.5 The Fanatic's The Best Show Ever that on deadline day, the Phillies were in on Scott right down to the wire, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia's Dan Roche — even though they didn’t necessarily have to do that. But with Dombrowski’s vision that stars help win championships, nothing is ever out of the question.
Scott has been among the best closers this season, converting 90 percent of his save opportunities with a sparkling 1.18 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with 53 strikeouts in just 45 2/3 innings.
Scott ended up with the San Diego Padres, but it came at a hefty cost in terms of prospect capital. Maybe the Phillies will find out that they dodged a bullet in the end if Scott doesn’t turn out to be as lights-out as expected. Nevertheless, the fact that they almost had him just makes one wonder.
The Phillies missed out on power-hitting Jorge Soler
When the Phillies landed Hays from the Orioles, many thought it was a decent acquisition. After all, with the ability to provide 20+ home runs and 70+ RBI in an average season while playing solid outfield defense, what wasn’t there to like?
But watching the Atlanta Braves land slugger Jorge Soler from the San Francisco Giants at the trade deadline may make the Phillies think twice about what could have been. The former All-Star has been one of the more prolific power hitters in the league in the past few seasons, averaging close to 30 home runs and 80 RBI per year.
Soler has ample playoff experience, with 28 postseason games under his belt. Most notably, he helped fuel the Braves to win it all in 2021. During his playoff career, he has batted a solid .274 with an impressive 1.021 OPS with 11 runs scored, six doubles, six home runs and 11 RBI.
Soler may not be as defensively as strong as Hays, but his bat would have more than made up for it. With the Braves only giving up struggling reliever Tyler Matzek and non-top 30 prospect Sabin Ceballos, perhaps the Phillies should have been in on Soler since it feels like the Braves practically got him for free, aside from paying his contract.