As October gets closer, the Phillies’ rotation question is getting sharper: they have quality arms, but do they have enough of them to survive a deep run?
That’s the case ESPN’s Jesse Rogers made Monday, when he wrote that Philadelphia is looking for rotation help ahead of the 2026 MLB trade deadline. The idea isn’t just about finding another starter for the regular season. It’s about stacking enough reliable pitching to get through the playoffs.
“The Phillies desire rotation help in order to get to the playoffs, not necessarily out of a need for another pitcher to start a postseason game -- although, an additional October arm would be just fine with them,” ESPN's Jesse Rogers wrote on Monday. “The Phillies are top-heavy with Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo, a trio as good as any team can put on the mound in the postseason.
But after that, it thins out, as Aaron Nola's 5.82 ERA tells his 2026 story. As for a fifth starter, Andrew Painter and Alan Rangel couldn't hold on to the job so the search is on.”
Rogers pointed to two names that fit the bill: Kevin Gausman and Robbie Ray.
Both are on expiring deals, and both could be available. Rogers noted that Philadelphia can probably absorb salary if it means landing a pitcher who can slot in as a No. 4 starter and still be trusted in October.
“Philadelphia can likely take on some salary in the form of players on expiring deals, such as Robbie Ray or Kevin Gausman,” Rogers writes. “Either of those pitchers can be a No. 4, which makes them extremely enticing.
And, of course, they could also start playoff games. Having four quality rotation arms can only help the Phillies' cause against L.A., and more importantly, it helps their likelihood of winning four rounds.
At the moment, it doesn't look like the NL East winner is going to get a bye, which means there's a need to load up on pitchers as much as possible.”
Gausman’s appeal goes beyond the numbers. He was part of the Blue Jays’ run to Game 7 of the 2025 World Series, and that kind of October experience would matter for a Phillies club trying to build out its rotation for the stretch run.
However it shakes out, the fit is obvious: Philadelphia could use another veteran starter, and both Gausman and Ray would make the team better.
In Other News...
Andrew Painter Is Creating A Phillies Rotation Dilemma Again
Andrew Painters latest step forward at Triple-A Lehigh Valley gave the Phillies another reminder of why his name keeps hanging over the rotation conversation. In his most recent outing, he worked six innings and allowed one run, part of a stretch that has made his recent starts look more and more like the version of Painter the organization has been waiting for.
For now, though, Philadelphia is still choosing patience while it sorts out the short-term rotation picture. Brian Keller appears to be the likely fifth starter in the near term, and the club is also expected to keep looking for help at the trade deadline, which leaves Painter as both a future answer and a current source of pressure on how the Phillies handle the rest of the season. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Deadline Search Just Got Awkward In A Hurry
The Phillies search for pitching help at the deadline has taken on a familiar kind of awkwardness, with Foster Griffin suddenly surfacing as a name to watch. Scouts from Philadelphia and Tampa Bay were both at his recent start, a sign that the left-hander is drawing real attention as Washington weighs whether to listen on a pitcher who has been effective this season.
For Philadelphia, the fit is easy to understand. The back end of the rotation has been an area to monitor, and Griffins performance has made him a plausible target if the Nationals decide to move him. The complication is just as obvious, though, because this is the kind of deal that can get tangled fast when a division club is involved and more than one contender is circling. [Read more 🡒]