The Phillies’ bullpen picture got a lot uglier with Brad Keller now done for the season, and that reality should push Dave Dombrowski even harder as the trade deadline approaches.
Philadelphia was already shopping for relief help before Keller landed on the injured list. Now, with a torn UCL ending his year, the need is even more obvious. The Phillies have Jhoan Duran locked in as the All-Star closer, plus Tim Mayza, Orion Kerkering and Johnathan Bowland, but the group thins out fast after that.
That’s why the Cincinnati Reds stand out as a logical match. They look like sellers, and they have multiple relievers who could be available before August 3. Some are on expiring deals, while others carry more team control, giving the Phillies a few different ways to attack the market.
Emilio Pagán is the most interesting name in the bunch. The veteran right-hander has a $10 million player-option for the 2027 season that he’s almost certain to exercise, which makes him more than a pure rental. He also came back from a hamstring injury just before the All-Star break and has given up only one hit since returning earlier this month.
Sam Moll is another arm worth watching. The left-hander has already been moved at a deadline before, when the Reds acquired him in 2023 in the deal that sent former fifth-round draft pick Joe Boyle to the Athletics. This season, Moll has posted a 25.1% strikeout rate and a 4.19 ERA, and he’s been especially effective against left-handed hitters, holding them to a .195 batting average against.
Cincinnati’s list doesn’t stop there. Pierce Johnson, Caleb Ferguson and Brock Burke are all free agents-to-be and should be available if the Reds are serious about selling. Tejay Antone could also be in play, and the club has several younger pitchers - Zach Maxwell, Luis Mey and Zach McCambley - who might move if the return is right.
So if the Phillies are looking for bullpen help, the Reds could offer a full menu. With Keller sidelined and Philadelphia still in the playoff hunt, a deal between these two teams before the deadline would make plenty of sense.
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