Follow all of the relevant Phillies rumors now through the July 30 trade deadline.
Monday, July 29 at 2:42 p.m. ET: Phillies still looking for bullpen help
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic says that the Phillies are continuing to “search for additional relief help, even after acquiring Carlos Estévez from the Angels.”
Estévez reported to the Phillies on Monday. To make room on the roster, Michael Rucker was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Estévez will wear No. 53.
As Rosenthal noted in his story, the price of relief pitching is sky high and the Estévez trade is proof. The Phillies gave up two top 10 prospects in George Klassen and Sam Aldegheri.
Monday, July 29 at 9:00 a.m. ET: Phillies still monitoring Garrett Crochet market
Jim Salisbury of The Phillies Show podcast offered some insight on what the Phillies are doing with a couple days to go before the trade deadline:
I really don’t feel a Luis Robert move from the White Sox, but I’ll tell you this: I have heard they continue to monitor the market for Garrett Crochet from the White Sox. Left-handed strikeout arm, rotation guy, but there could be innings issues. Could be a bullpen guy. It’s probably an extreme long shot, but I hear they continue to monitor that market to see where it’s going to go and what might happen. That coupled with Ranger’s status, I think probably tells you they could still add another arm. I don’t know if it will be that quality, but they’re still looking for arms. … I will not be one bit surprised if they make another move. Be it another depth piece on the offensive side in the outfield. Be it another bullpen arm or be it a starting pitcher. I could see everyone one of those being a fit in some way.
The Crochet stuff is interesting. Over the weekend, multiple outlets reported that Crochet wants to remain in the rotation as he believes that’s his best path forward to remaining. He also wants an extension to pitch in October with his innings limit creeping up.
Either way, you can’t rule out the Phillies being completely done.
Thursday, July 25 at 7:45 p.m. ET: Phillies not listening to offers involving top prospects Andrew Painter and Aidan Miller
The Phillies could look to be aggressive in their pursuit of another reliever, but they probably won’t trade either of their two top prospects. Russell Dorsey of Yahoo Sports reported on the night of July 25 that the Phillies are “not currently listening to offers that involve surrendering top prospects Andrew Painter or Aidan Miller.” Dorsey, however, is also hearing that rival clubs believe the Phillies are “willing to include other prospects, such as outfielder Justin Crawford or right-hander Mick Abel.”
A day later, the Phillies acquired Austin Hays in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles for Seranthony Domínguez and Cristian Pache. The focus now turns to acquiring a reliever, though that could change slightly as Ranger Suárez was placed on the 15-day injured list with lower back soreness.
