Philadelphia Phillies: Top 5 bullpen trade targets, per MLB Trade Rumors
By David Esser
In a recent MLB Trade Rumors post, author Steve Adams ranked the “Top 40 MLB Trade Candidates” expected to be available at the deadline (as things currently stand here in June). I first looked at this list emphasizing some of the starting pitchers, now I’m turning my attention to the relievers that were mentioned – a roster group that the Philadelphia Phillies are still severely weak at.
Despite the additions of Jose Alvarado, Sam Coonrod, Archie Bradley, and Brandon Kintzler, the Phillies have still struggled with their ‘pen this season. Albeit nowhere close to the level that it was last year, it’s still an area of weakness that the Phillies should be trying to improve upon moving forward.
The additions of Kintzler and Bradley in particular have not been very productive ones for the Phillies thus far. Kintzler has arguably been the worst reliever on the team this season, and Bradley still hasn’t got into any sort of sustainable rhythm after a missing a majority of May due to an oblique injury.
While the Phillies could very well end up “sellers” by the time this year’s trade deadline rolls around, MLBTR didn’t mention any of the Phillies payers on their list, which could signal an expectation for them to “buy” instead. With Dave Dombrowski at the helm, it’s always more likely that he’s going to look to add as opposed to subtract.
Should the Philadelphia Phillies look to add to their bullpen this summer, MLB Trade Rumors named a handful of early trade targets.
Regardless of the Phils’ current win-loss record, keep reading to see who MLBTR pinned as their top five relief arm trade candidates: