Philadelphia Phillies: Top 5 bullpen trade targets, per MLB Trade Rumors
By David Esser
Ian Kennedy, Texas Rangers
Someone who I repeatedly highlighted as a player worth signing in the offseason, the Texas Rangers were able to snag Ian Kennedy on a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training this past winter. Since earning his way into the Rangers major league bullpen, Kennedy has promptly established himself as one of the top closers in all of baseball.
He has a 2.53 ERA across 21.1 innings pitched, and is a cool 12/13 in save situations.
Expected to be a hot target at this year’s trade deadline (he came in at #9 on MLBTR’s list), Kennedy isn’t necessarily a player who fits what the Phillies should be targeting this summer. Kennedy is 36 years old, and is set to be a free agent at season’s end. He would be the definition of a “rental” acquisition, which isn’t something I think Dombrowski should be interested in in the slightest.
Like previously stated when discussing Rodriguez, the Phillies need players who can help them through at least the next season, not just this year.
With the closer position always being one of great interest at the deadline, I expect competition to be ripe for Kennedy, which is totally okay from a Philadelphia Phillies point of view.