The MLB Trade Deadline is just a week away, and the Phillies clearly need to make a move or two to make sure they will remain firmly in contention for an NL Wild Card spot. The good news is that there is no shortage of trade candidates available across baseball, but the Phils need to find the right value and contract situations to fit in their plans both for this year, and for the future. Here are 10 pitchers that the Phillies could target as we near the 2022 deadline:
Tyler Mahle – RHP, Cincinnati Reds
Mahle has not had a banner year in 2022, but who in Cincinnati really has? The Reds are absolutely floundering, and it’s expected they’ll have a fire sale at the trade deadline. That sale could include Mahle, who is only 27 and still has a cheap team-controlled deal for next season. He had a rough start to the year, and still has a 4.48 ERA, but he’s got a 3.51 ERA in his last 11 starts. This could be an opportunity to get a bargain deal on a pitcher currently playing below his watermark that could slot in to the middle of the Phils’ rotation.
David Robertson – RHP, Chicago Cubs
Yes, I know. We have the scars of David Robertson’s last tenure in Philadelphia still in the backs of our minds, but the 37 year old reliever is experiencing a resurgent season in Chicago. In 35 appearances so far this year, he’s posted a 1.83 ERA and has notched 14 saves, proving that he still has some high leverage innings in him. He also has a bevy of postseason experience to lean on during a playoff push or playoff series. Robertson is also on an expiring contract, so there’s very little risk involved with the move. He would be an automatic upgrade to the bullpen in Philly.
Martin Perez – LHP, Texas Rangers
The Phillies have seen first-hand exactly how good Martin Perez has been so far this year in the AL for the Rangers. He’s got himself firmly in the AL Cy Young conversation, and is set up to command a lot of interest as the trade deadline nears. He will be one of the more popular targets, which means he will cost more than most options available, but if the Phillies want to go all-in on the starting rotation, Perez could be the guy. With a 2.59 ERA in 118.0 innings, Texas could look to keep Perez, but if they sell, the Phils should absolutely put in a bid.
Matt Moore – LHP, Texas Rangers
Are you noticing a theme with relievers yet? Moore is another former Phillie that has gone on to have a banner year with his next team after leaving Philadelphia. Moore had a 6.29 ERA last year with the Phillies, and all he’s done this season is drop that to a miniscule 1.61. He’s been one of the better arms in the Rangers’ pen, and has a cheap expiring contract. He’s not the pitcher we saw last year coming out of the pen for the Phils, and he could help make that unit even better this season if the Rangers sell.
Chad Kuhl – RHP, Colorado Rockies
If the Phillies are looking for a 5th starter to cover for Zach Eflin’s injury issues, Chad Kuhl could very well be the guy. Kuhl isn’t a top end arm like Martin Perez, but his 4.48 ERA so far this year is a respectable mark for a back end starter. Now, the Rockies are not often sellers despite a lack of team success, so it’s possible that Kuhl will be harder to pry away than it looks, but at face value, it shouldn’t take much to get him in red pinstripes. As far as value back end starters go, the 29 year old might be the perfect balance for the Phillies to take a chance on.
Mychal Givens – RHP, Chicago Cubs
One word comes to mind when you look at Givens’ baseball reference page – consistency. He’s just one of those veteran relievers that you can ink into the setup role in a bullpen and expect results. The Cubs have not been good this year, but that’s no fault of Givens, who has a 2.87 ERA in 37.2 innings so far this season. Givens has spent time with Baltimore, Colorado, Cincinnati, and now Chicago in his career, and because of those team’s “low profiles” (general stinky-ness), he is one of the hidden gems of late relievers. Givens is certainly worth sniffing around if you’re Dave Dombrowski
