Proposed Phillies Trade Bolsters Philadelphia's Bullpen
The 2023 MLB season didn't end the way that the Philadelphia Phillies planned, but we can't dwell on what could've been. After all, there's no shame in making the NLCS in back-to-back years — especially when the Phillies were one win away from their second World Series appearance.
With the offseason officially underway, all eyes are once again on Dave Dombrowski to see how he improves the club over the winter. Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter has one suggestion for the legendary executive, and it involves bolstering the bullpen with a trade.
Phillies Trade Rumors
Reuter proposes that Philadelphia should acquire right-handed reliever Jason Foley from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for pitching prospect Griff McGarry. The theorized deal is based on the uncertainty around pending free agent Craig Kimbrel, who may not return.
Phillies-Tigers Trade
Kimbrel was reliable for the Phillies during the regular season but completely fell apart as the postseason progressed. He went from pitching 3 scoreless innings in the first two postseason rounds to surrendering 4 earned runs on 5 hits over 3 innings in the NLCS — good for a 12.00 ERA.
So yeah, Philadelphia could use someone like Foley if Kimbrel departs. The 28-year-old relief pitcher is coming off his best season with the Tigers, going 3-3 with a 2.61 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP, 7 saves and 28 holds across 70 relief appearances. He's also under team control through 2027.
Heading to Detroit in this hypothetical scenario is McGarry, who was Baseball Prospectus' No. 51-ranked prospect ahead of the 2023 campaign.
Phillies fans had high hopes for McGarry when the team used a fifth-round pick on him following a strong 2020 NCAA campaign at Virginia. The 24-year-old hurler has shown promise at times but is coming off an underwhelming season that saw him go 1-3 with a 6.00 ERA in 17 starts across three minor-league levels.
In other words, moving on from McGarry is an easier pill to swallow after that disappointing performance.
Signing up for FanDuel Sportsbook is an even easier pill to swallow than that. New users who sign up through the link below can snag $150 in bonus bets if their first moneyline wager of just $5 wins. This amazing deal won't be around long, though, so claim it today!
More Philadelphia Phillies news and rumors:
feed