The Phillies have a rotation problem, and it’s the kind that could push them into a swing-for-the-fences move before the trade deadline.
Even with Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, and Zack Wheeler in place, Philadelphia still has room to chase another starter. Aaron Nola’s inconsistency and the issues coming from the No. 5 spot have made that need hard to ignore. Andrew Painter is part of the conversation, though not necessarily as the pitcher the Phillies would be keeping.
Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic floated Painter as a possible piece in a deal that would send Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers to Philadelphia. They wrote, “The way they would do it, according to two rival executives briefed on the Tigers' thinking, is by trading Skubal for a controllable starting pitcher plus quality prospects,” and added, “...
Among the pitchers who might fit in such a trade: ... Andrew Painter, Philadelphia Phillies.”
That lines up with what the Tigers would likely want if they ever moved Skubal. Painter fits the profile of a young, controllable starter, and at 23 years old, he still carries plenty of value despite his rough big-league showing this season.
Painter posted a 7.06 ERA across 65 innings before getting sent to Triple-A, but his upside remains obvious. That’s why he could be the kind of headliner Detroit would ask for in a theoretical Skubal package.
From the Phillies’ side, the fit is easy to imagine. A postseason rotation of Skubal, Sanchez, Wheeler, and Luzardo would be a serious group. But Skubal would come at a steep cost, and he’d be a half-season rental at most.
So yes, it’s a tempting idea. If Philadelphia wants to chase the biggest arm available, Skubal is the name. But the price - Painter plus other premium prospects - would be massive, and it would ask the Phillies to pay heavily for only a short-term fix.
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Tarik Skubal Just Created A Brutal New Question For Tigers Fans
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Skubal also made clear the issue was not only physical, pointing to the arbitration process as part of why he handled the situation the way he did. And with his relationship with the front office already strained since that hearing, the Tigers are now left to sort through a question that goes beyond one elbow and into the bigger trust gap between ace and organization. [Read more 🡒]
Tigers Fans May Not Like What This Means For Max Clark
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For now, the more likely path is patience, with Detroit able to let the season breathe a little longer before making a move. Clark could still get there sooner if his production takes another jump or if the roster situation changes, but the current read is that the Tigers may prefer to wait until September unless circumstances push them in a different direction. [Read more 🡒]
Tigers Suddenly Face A Risky Deadline Question In Center Field
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Jim Bowden of The Athletic floated New York Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. as a possible fit, a suggestion that makes some baseball sense even with the injury concerns attached to his season. Robert has long shown he can handle left-handed pitching, and for a club trying to patch a real need without boxing itself into a long commitment, that kind of profile is easy to understand, even if the price and the health questions still leave plenty unresolved. [Read more 🡒]