Will Dave Dombrowski Shift Trade Focus To Phillies Bullpen?
The MLB Trade Deadline dominoes have begun to fall. Dave Dombrowski and the Philadelphia Phillies acquired Austin Hays from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Seranthony Dominguez and Cristian Pache.
The Phillies filled their most glaring need for a platoon bat to offset Brandon Marsh’s weakness against left-handed pitching. Now, Dombrowski will turn his attention to adding another difference maker in the bullpen to the best team in baseball before Red October.
“He knows how good they are. Now, it’s time to make sure all the pieces fit together. My sense is the top of their shopping list would be a big bullpen arm.” –Jayson Stark on The Best Show Ever
Phillies Bullpen
A bullpen loaded with power arms and nasty stuff has hit a serious speed bump. They’ve lacked command of the pitches that have helped them establish reputations as high-leverage relievers capable of erasing opposing hitters.
Seranthony Dominguez had spent his only six MLB seasons with the Phillies prior to the deal. He came up in 2018 and saved 16 games with flashes of shutdown closer potential.
Although Jeff Hoffman had seized the role as the primary right-handed relief option, Dominguez owned arguably the best postseason track record in the Phillies bullpen.
He appeared in 15 playoff games in red pinstripes and allowed only two earned runs. His dominance helped the Phillies to a World Series appearance in 2022.
Jose Alvarado has struggled to stay in the strike zone in recent outings. Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering posted microscopic ERAs during the first half of the season. They’ve simultaneously hit their roughest patches of 2024.
Thomson decided on using Gregory Soto in higher-leverage situations after his recent 15-game hot streak with only one earned run. The Dominican fireballer threw erratically in his two big opportunities against the Minnesota Twins last week.
Dombrowski expressed confidence in the bullpen after the trade despite the slump. However, the group of relievers suddenly doesn’t look as threatening for a team with World Series aspirations.
Thomson spoke on July 20 about establishing a bullpen hierarchy before Red October.
“I think that’s a flowing thing all throughout the year because guys get hot (and) guys get cold. You’re constantly sort of feeling that out and trying to make sure that you put guys in the right spot where they’re going to be successful or where you think they’re going to be successful and making sure you’re not overusing guys or underusing guys. It’s a constant battle just to try to create that balance.” -Rob Thomson (via NBC Sports Philadelphia)
MLB Trade Deadline Targets
Dombrowski didn’t deal his most seasoned postseason reliever during a midseason bullpen slump to stand pat through the MLB Trade Deadline.
Jayson Stark mentioned three potential targets for the Phillies.
Kyle Finnegan will rank toward the top of most contending teams’ trade lists. The 32-year-old right-hander has steadily developed into a legitimate closer for the Washington Nationals since his MLB debut in 2020.
His career season in 2024 could drive up the asking price for the rebuilding Nats. However, consider that the Phillies already acquired their outfield bat without touching their prospect cupboard. Losing Dominguez was part of a larger shake-up, and Pache had minimal value as a package sweetener.
Tanner Scott has reinvented himself with 50 saves in 63 chances (79.3%) the last three seasons for the Miami Marlins.
His fastball averages 96.6 miles per hour, ranking in the 91st percentile of MLB pitchers according to Baseball Savant. He also lands near the top of the majors in whiff rate and strikeout rate.
Carlos Estevez trudged through six seasons with the Colorado Rockies from 2016-2022. His 4.59 career ERA didn’t look too appealing, but Coors Field also hasn’t been too friendly to pitchers.
The right-hander has dropped his ERA to 3.36 in two seasons with the Los Angeles Angels. His 0.74 WHIP ranks third among qualified MLB relievers in 2024.
Dombrowski spoke comfortably about the rotation Thomson has used this season without the official closer designation.
Although Finnegan, Scott, and Estevez have considerable save totals, they’d most likely join the competition for high-leverage postseason innings that will go to the Phillies relievers in the best rhythm.
Obstacles For Dave Dombrowski
While all three relievers have the stuff and the regular-season track records to help the Phillies, consider two possible drawbacks to a potential deal.
The Phillies dealt one of their most experienced postseason relievers to a contending American League team. Finnegan, Scott, and Estevez have combined to pitch a grand total of 1⅓ innings in two postseason appearances.
Bob Nightengale also emphasized the seller’s market at the MLB Trade Deadline when he joined Philly Sports Tonight on July 25.
Playoff expansion has kept teams in the hunt later into the MLB season, creating more prospective buyers and fewer clear-cut sellers. Virtually all contending teams also look to add bullpen arms gearing up for a World Series run.
Arguably the most successful active baseball front office executive has had some trouble in the past when it comes to relievers. He might have another World Series ring if Joaquin Benoit didn’t surrender a grand slam to David Ortiz in the 2013 ALCS.
He might’ve brought the World Series trophy back to Philadelphia if he hadn’t decided Craig Kimbrel could lock down the back of the bullpen last October.
Don’t expect him to sit around and wait for another contender to swipe the top bullpen arms off the market before July 30.
“Bullpen has haunted Dave (Dombrowski) forever.” –Bob Nightengale on 97.5 The Fanatic
97.5 The Fanatic will evaluate potential trade options for the Philadelphia Phillies ahead of the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline on July 30.
11 Worst Trades in Philadelphia Phillies History
11. Von "541" Hayes
December 9, 1982
Phillies Get: Von Hayes
Cleveland Indians: Manny Trillo, George Vukovich, Julio Franco, Jay Baller, Jerry WillardPete Rose coined the infamous “541” nickname when the Phillies acquired Von Hayes in 1982. Paul Owens gave up the haul for someone he thought was worth it.
Hayes might’ve clicked better with the Philadelphia fan base without the high expectations. He had a decent nine-year stretch, and he even finished eighth in MVP voting after a career season in 1986. However “541” was all anybody focused on.
Manny Trillo bounced around the majors in his later years after the trade. George Vukovich, Jay Baller, and Jerry Willard didn’t ultimately make the Phillies regret their decision.
Julio Franco somehow haunted the Phillies into the early 2000s. He stuck with the Braves into his 40s and retired in 2007 after 23 MLB seasons with eight teams.
10. Saying Goodbye To Chase Utley
August 19, 2015
Phillies Get: Darnell Sweeney, John Richy
Los Angeles Dodgers Get: Chase Utley, cashThe Phillies kept franchise heroes like Chase Utley around a little too long after 2011. They probably could’ve gotten a better return a year or two sooner.
Utley’s knees had pushed him out of his prime by 2015. Darnell Sweeney hit under the Mendoza line in his only 37 major league games, all with the Phillies. John Richy never made it to the show.
Was Utley in his prime when he went to Los Angeles? No, but they certainly didn’t expect to get 386 games out of a veteran with a World Series pedigree.
Acquiring one of the best heads-up players in MLB history helped the Dodgers win four NL West pennants in Utley’s four seasons, even if he wasn’t the main cause of their success.
9. A Sharp Turn And A Twist Of Irony
December 20, 2002
Phillies Get: Kevin Millwood
Braves Get: Johnny EstradaJohnny Estrada filled in well for MIke Liberthal in 89 games in 2001. However, it made sense to trade a young catcher who wasn’t going to overtake an established veteran in front of him.
Acquiring Kevin Millwood from the Braves looked like it could help solidify the starting staff of a team that had just signed Jim Thome.
The league finally had to take the Phillies seriously in 2003, and Millwood got the city excited with a no-hitter at Veterans Stadium less than a month into his tenure. Lieberthal legitimized the trade with a career best .313 average.
The outlook on the trade took a fast, wild turn in 2004. Millwood struggled at the top of the rotation in his final season with the Phillies. The fan base made him the whipping boy of an underperforming squad.
Estrada, meanwhile, earned a National League All-Star appearance and the Silver Slugger honors. Lieberthal started declining at age 32.
A frustrating Phillies team took heat for their inability to drive in runners in scoring position. Estrada ironically excelled with a newfound strength in that very category.
Estrada only spent one more season with the Braves after 2004. He was out of the majors by 2008. However, Phillies fans can never fully shake the irony of a trade that looked one-sided in their favor before the pendulum swung so drastically.
8. The Flyin' Hawaiian
July 31, 2012
Phillies Get: Josh Lindblom, Ethan Martin, player to be named later (Stefan Jarrin)
Los Angeles Dodgers Get: Shane VictorinoThe Phillies waited too long to send Chase Utley to the Dodgers after the fallout from the 2011 playoff loss. They didn’t wait long enough to send Shane Victorino.
The Flyin’ Hawaiian was a dynamic talent who won two Gold Gloves in Philadelphia. He was only 31 years old at the time of the trade. The Phillies simply didn’t get enough in return for a player with plenty of good baseball left.
Ethan Martin made only eight career starts, and Stefan Jarrin never played in the major leagues. Josh Lindblom had some potential as a reliever, but the Phillies only kept him for the remainder of the 2012 season.
Victorino celebrated his second World Series the next season as a member of the Boston Red Sox.
7. Mysterious Medicals For Freddy Garcia
December 6, 2006
Phillies Get: Freddy Garcia Chicago
White Sox Get: Gio Gonzalez, Gavin FloydThe Phillies traded two pitching prospects to the White Sox for Freddy Garcia entering the 2007 season. Landing an expected ace was a big part of the reason Jimmy Rollins spoke so confidently about “the team to beat” in the NL East.
It turned out to be one of the worst trades in franchise history. Garcia pitched 11 games in his only season in Philadelphia. The injuries that kept him off the mound very well might’ve existed before the trade.
Lauded top prospect Gavin Floyd never developed well in the Phillies system. He recovered for a career as a serviceable starter in the middle of a solid major league rotation.
It was Gio Gonzalez who really irked Phillies fans who looked back on the trade.
The Phillies lost in the 2011 MLB Playoffs and quickly realized their lack of a farm system. Meanwhile, the Washington Nationals seized control of the NL East.
Gonzalez broke out in 2012 to help put the Nats on the map. He finished third in NL Cy Young voting in a career season.
He cooled off as an ace, but he still helped anchor the Washington rotation for a long stretch of his MLB career.
The Freddy Garcia trade strangely landed the Phillies Tadahito Iguchi in an indirect handshake agreement between Kenny Williams and Pat Gillick later in the 2007 season.
6. An Unnecessary Unload: Cliff Lee Part I
December 16, 2009
Phillies Get: Phillippe Aumont, Tyson Gillies, J.C. Ramirez
Seattle Mariners Get: Cliff LeeThe Phillies acquired Cliff Lee in July 2009 in one of the best deals in franchise history. They dealt him to the Seattle Mariners for three unimpactful prospects less than six months later.
Ruben Amaro Jr. acquired Roy Halladay on the same day, but he shifted his eyes to the future after giving up top pitching prospect Kyle Drabek. The moves were interconnected, but trading for Halladay didn’t directly require trading away Lee.
The nonchalant lefty helped the Texas Rangers to an appearance in the 2010 World Series with another outstanding postseason run.
J.C. Ramirez later bounced around the majors as a reliever, but he only pitched in 18 games with a 7.50 ERA for the Phillies.
Tyson Gillies never played a big league game, and Phillippe Aumont disastrously struggled to harness a loaded arsenal of pitches. He floated back and forth from Lehigh Valley from 2012-2016 without any substantial major league success.
Lee stunned the world, especially the New York Yankees, when he reunited with the Phillies entering the 2011 season.
4. Losing Curt Schilling
July 26, 2000
Phillies Get: Vicente Padilla, Omar Daal, Travis Lee, Nelson Figueroa
Arizona Diamondbacks Get: Curt SchillingThe move to land Curt Schilling for Jason Grimsley in 1992 looked like a steal. The fortune caught up to the Phillies, as the Diamondbacks made one of the best trades in their franchise history.
The Phillies spiraled downward into futility after 1993 as Schilling rose into his prime. By 2000, it became obvious that they couldn’t keep their ace any longer.
Schilling won two World Series and finished second in Cy Young voting three times after the Phillies traded him at age 33. He continued to develop his reputation as one of the fiercest competitors in all of sports.
He and Randy Johnson formed an unhittable duo on the memorable ride to the World Series in 2001. Arizona’s victory over the New York Yankees came with all of America watching just weeks after the 9/11 tragedy. The pair of aces split the MVP.
Former second-overall pick Travis Lee could’ve developed as the centerpiece, but he never lived up to his draft status. Omar Daal and Nelson Figueroa didn’t amount to much with the Phillies.
Former GM Ed Wade did land Vicente Padilla in the trade. The Nicaraguan righty spent six seasons in the middle of the starting rotation for Philadelphia. He ended up pitching 14 MLB seasons.
3. Wondering What Could've Been
April 21, 1966
Phillies Get: Adolfo Phillips, John Herrnstein
Chicago Cubs Get: Ferguson Jenkins, Bob Buhl, Larry JacksonThe Phillies brought Ferguson Jenkins up to the majors for seven appearances in 1965, but they didn’t give the young right-hander much of a chance in 1966.
A franchise nearing 100 years of existence in brutal futility just two years removed from the epic collapse of 1964 traded away a future Hall of Famer for two players who barely made a footnote in Phillies history.
Jenkins won the 1971 NL Cy Young as the highlight of his prime seasons with the Cubs. He also spent time with the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox as part of a 19-year career.
Philadelphia was left to wonder what could’ve been.
2. A Memorable Sendoff & A Forgettable Trade
July 31, 2015
Phillies Get: Jered Eickhoff, Jorge Alfaro, Nick Williams, Matt Harrison, Jake Thompson, Alec Asher
Texas Rangers Get: Cole Hamels, Jake DiekmanProfessional sports is an unforgiving business. Athletes don’t usually know when their last game in a particular uniform will come.
Cole Hamels, however, was all but certain the Phillis would move him before the MLB Trade Deadline in 2015.
He might’ve known that July 25, 2015 would be the last day he’d start a game for the Phillies, but he didn’t know about the unforgettable farewell that was about to take place.
The 2008 World Series MVP threw his only career no-hitter at Wrigley Field. His teammates swarmed him in an emotional moment in Phillies history.
The goodbye, unfortunately, became way more significant than the return package in the ensuing trade. Hamels was only 31, and he pitched four more substantial MLB seasons.
The early return on Jered Eickhoff, Jorge Alfaro, and Nick Williams didn’t look too bad. However, none of the six players the Phillies acquired stuck around too long.
Making matters worse, Ruben Amaro Jr. also sent Jake Diekman to Texas. A reasonable case can be made that the journeyman reliever alone has provided more value than any of the six players in the return package.
That’s right. The Phillies would’ve lost the trade even if Hamels wasn’t part of it.
1. An Easy Choice In The Top Spot
January 27, 1982
Phillies Get: Ivan de Jesus
Chicago Cubs Get: Ryne Sandberg, Larry BowaPaul Owens and Bill Giles made one of the worst mistakes in franchise history in 1982. Trading Larry Bowa was never going to make Philadelphia happy to begin with. He was the scrappy catalyst of the 1980 World Series team, a five-time All-Star, and a player who identified with the city like very few others could.
The Phillies wouldn’t let sentimentality keep a 36-year-old around. They sent Bowa to the Cubs for a reunion with former manager Dallas Green.
Green insisted that the Phillies included a middle infielder as a pot sweetener. Ryne Sandberg spent 15 seasons with the Cubs. He made 10 consecutive All-Star appearances from 1984-1993 and established himself as one of the best players in the history of a storied franchise. The accolades landed him in the Hall of Fame.
The Phillies only gave him six plate appearances in 13 major league games before the deal. A bizarre twist of fate landed him back in Philadelphia as the manager from 2013-2015 during a forgettable era.
Ivan de Jesus played 158 games in 1983 for a team that advanced to the World Series. However, his underwhelming play in three seasons only poured salt on the wound of the worst trade in Phillies history.
