The Philadelphia Phillies have a remarkable starting staff, but the bullpen has been a different story.
Attempting to close out games for the likes of Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo, the Phillies bullpen has the sixth-highest ERA in all of baseball at 4.64 so far. The team suffered a major blow when its most trusted option, Jose Alvarado, was suspended for violating Major League Baseball’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
In the latest meltdown, Jordan Romano took the mound to close out a gem from young hurler Mick Abel against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, only to give up a walk-off hit.
As the relief issues persist, the Phillies could be preparing to trade for a more trustworthy arm at the midseason deadline. And Bailey Bassett of ClutchPoints has proposed a three-player deal that would bring in Pete Fairbanks from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for prospects Justin Crawford and Devin Saltiban.
Fairbanks has a 1.88 ERA with 22 strikeouts and 11 saves in 25 games so far, so he would instantly become the Phillies’ go-to high-leverage option as they march toward the playoffs. And he’s owed just $3.8 million this season with a $7 million club option for 2026, so giving up a touted prospect like Crawford in a deal like this would bring in more than a half-season rental.
However, Bassett noted that this trade alone wouldn’t be enough to answer all of the Phillies’ bullpen questions.
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“They need even more help when it comes to relievers,” he wrote. “Fairbanks would be one of their most coveted options, though, because he can thrive in high-leverage situations. That will be much-needed in the crowded National League the rest of the season.”
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