The Phillies have a rotation issue, and it’s one that has only sharpened as the season has gone on. Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo and Zack Wheeler give Philadelphia a strong top end, but Aaron Nola’s inconsistency and the struggles from the No. 5 spot have made starting pitching a real deadline need.
That’s where Andrew Painter enters the conversation - not necessarily as the answer for Philadelphia, but as a possible chip in a much bigger swing. Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic identified Painter as a pitcher the Phillies could use in a trade with the Detroit Tigers for Tarik Skubal, the back-to-back Cy Young-winning ace.
“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," Sammon and Rosenthal write. "...
Among the pitchers who might fit in such a trade: ... Andrew Painter, Philadelphia Phillies."
That framework makes Painter an obvious fit for Detroit if the Tigers were to move Skubal. Painter is young, controllable and still carries the kind of upside that keeps him in the center of trade discussions, even after a rough big-league stint this season. He posted a 7.06 ERA in 65 innings before being sent down to Triple-A.
At 23 years old and still carrying his former top-prospect shine, Painter would not be a throw-in. In a theoretical Skubal deal, he could be the headliner.
From the Phillies’ side, the appeal is easy to see. A postseason rotation built around Skubal, Sanchez, Wheeler and Luzardo would be a serious group.
But the cost would be enormous. Skubal is a half-season rental, and the price tag would almost certainly include Painter plus other premium prospects.
It’s the kind of idea that makes sense on paper if Philadelphia wants to chase the biggest name available. In practice, though, it would be a steep price to pay for only three months of Skubal.
In Other News...
Tigers Outfield Disaster Could Force A Deadline Decision Fans Will Debate
The Tigers still have not tipped their hand on whether this deadline will be about adding or subtracting, and the next few weeks could shape more than just the roster. Tarik Skubals future is part of that equation, but so is a glaring need in the outfield, where Detroit has gotten only one steady presence while several other regular options have struggled to provide much at all.
That is why the club is being linked to a possible run at Jung Hoo Lee if the Giants decide to sell, even if the fit comes with a real financial wrinkle. Lee has been productive enough to make sense on paper, and Detroits front office would have to weigh the appeal of immediate help against the burden of a multi-year contract while the club sits near the luxury tax cutline and tries to decide how aggressive this deadline should be. [Read more 🡒]
Jack Flaherty's Absence Just Raised The Stakes For Detroit
Jack Flahertys latest setback comes at an awkward time for a Tigers team trying to keep its rotation steady and its options open as the deadline approaches. The right-hander was hurt in a recent start, and Detroit responded by bringing up Ty Madden from Triple-A Toledo to fill the roster spot, a move that gives the club another arm but also underscores how quickly the pitching picture can change this time of year.
The Tigers have described the injury as minor, but the timing matters because Flaherty is now expected to be sidelined beyond the Aug. 3 trade deadline. It is also his second trip to the injured list this season, which adds another layer to a situation Detroit would have preferred to avoid as it weighs both the present and what comes next. [Read more 🡒]