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.
“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.”
