The Philadelphia Phillies traded for a closer at the 2024 deadline, but their need is arguably much more dire in 2025.
Because José Alvarado will be suspended for the postseason, the Phillies are still in audition mode when it comes to finding their closer for the remainder of the season. Jordan Romano has been given every chance, and it simply doesn't seem like he's cut out for the job.
Fortunately, relievers are always plentiful at the deadline. But the Phillies don't just want a run-of-the-mill backend bullpen arm; they should be in search of a true star.
Though there's no guarantee everyone on their wish list will be available, the Phillies may stand a real chance at acquiring a fireballing All-Star from the Baltimore Orioles.
On Tuesday, Jim Bowden of The Athletic named Orioles closer Félix Bautista, who made his return from Tommy John surgery this season and is under contract through 2027, as his top projected trade target for the Phillies this summer.
"The Phillies’ front office is determined to land a dominant back-end-of-the-bullpen reliever, and I’m sure they will do so before the trade deadline. If the Orioles don’t get back in the race, Bautista could be the Phillies’ best option to take over the ninth inning," Bowden wrote.
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"Bautista is under team control through 2027 and has a 3.32 ERA and 12 saves this season. He has not allowed a run in six of his past seven appearances and appears to be making progress in getting closer to his pre-Tommy John surgery form."
The 29-year-old Bautista would be the top target on a lot of teams' bullpen wish lists. He seems to be rediscovering his dominant form as of late, and more importantly, he's not a rental. That could make his price tag sky-high.
However, the Orioles know they would probably win a Bautista trade in the long run, because closers, especially hard-throwing ones, have short shelf lives. That gives the Phillies a legitimate shot to pull off a blockbuster.
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