The Phillies have pushed themselves back into the conversation in the National League, and that has them positioned to be active when the MLB trade deadline arrives. Under interim manager Don Mattingly, a veteran club that opened the season well below expectations has steadied itself over the last few weeks and now looks like a clear buyer.
Philadelphia’s most obvious need is a right-handed bat, preferably an outfielder, and that remains the top priority. But Dave Dombrowski is also expected to look for help on the mound, and that search could go far beyond a simple back-end arm.
According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Phillies are one of the teams that could get involved if Tarik Skubal becomes available. Heyman floated Philadelphia and the New York Yankees as possible suitors during a recent segment of Inside Corner with Jon Heyman on MLB Network.
“Phillies could be a Skubal player. They are an aggressive shopper, and a 3rd top lefty (along with Sanchez and Luzardo) plus Wheeler would give them a shot vs. LA,” he wrote on X in response to the video clip.
The appeal is obvious. Philadelphia already has a strong foundation in its rotation, with Cristopher Sanchez and Zack Wheeler giving the club a formidable top two. Jesus Luzardo has been inconsistent, but when he’s right, he has shown front-line stuff.
After that, the picture gets shakier. Aaron Nola has struggled in nearly every area and hasn’t been giving the Phillies the length or reliability they need. Andrew Painter was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after a rough stretch of ineffective outings.
That’s why an innings-eating starter for the back of the rotation would make sense. Still, Dombrowski has never been shy about aiming higher, and if there’s a chance to land a pitcher like Skubal, he’s not likely to sit it out.
There is, of course, the question of whether Philadelphia has enough to make a real run at the two-time defending Cy Young Award winner from the Detroit Tigers. The Phillies’ farm system is not as deep as some of the other teams expected to chase him.
Even so, Dombrowski’s track record keeps the door open. He has a reputation for being one of the most aggressive executives in the game, and he’ll put his name in the mix if he sees a way to improve the club’s championship odds.
If Skubal somehow ends up in Philadelphia, he’d join Sanchez, Wheeler and Luzardo in a rotation that would stack up as the best in baseball.
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