What the Phillies Could Do to Address Bullpen Struggles?
The Phillies' bullpen has yet again become an issue for the team in its latest series against the Mets. Ironically, it was earlier this season against the Mets where the same bullpen struggled, which caused the Phillies to get swept. The team has yet to make a move and has even lost their most reliable piece of the bullpen in Jose Alvarado to a suspension. The Phillies have the pieces to make a move in their farm system, with Andrew Painter, Justin Crawford, and Aiden Miller being at the top of teams' lists. With the Phillies sitting at a record of 46-31, which puts them tied for first in the NL East, the team needs to jump on an opportunity at the upcoming trade deadline if they want to contend for a championship. Some players are a possibility of being on the move, and here’s why each player would make sense for the Phillies.
Felix Bautista
The first name being discussed is Orioles’ flame-throwing closer, Felix Bautista, who returned from an injury this year after missing all of 2024. The Orioles currently sit last in the AL East with a 33-44 record and have to go to arbitration with Bautista this offseason, which could make him available for trade. The Phillies would be a perfect home for Bautista as he would be able to slide right into the closer spot in the bullpen. This season, Bautista has performed well for the Orioles with a 2.70 ERA to go along with 16 saves up to this point. Not only that, but Bautista has been lights out during his eight appearances in June. In those appearances, Bautista has not allowed a single run and has picked up six of his 16 saves during that time. Looking for Bautista to potentially be on the move to Philadelphia or another top contender in the MLB.
Pete Fairbanks
Sticking with the AL East, another target the Phillies could look to acquire is Pete Fairbanks from the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays currently sit second in the AL East with a record of 43-35; however, the team owes Fairbanks seven million dollars next season before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2027. Traditionally, the Rays have opted not to pay some of the players a high dollar amount, which could cause Fairbanks to be on the market. This season, Fairbanks has been a reliable piece in the Rays' bullpen as a closer with 13 saves. Fairbanks has been used often in the bullpen with 29.1 innings of work, where he has accumulated a 2.15 ERA. Like Bautista, Fairbanks could slide right into the Phillies' bullpen in the role of a closer, which is something the Phillies desperately need.
Mason Miller
Mason Miller has been a name thrown around for the Phillies to target the past few seasons and offseasons, so yet again, he is being pitched for the Phillies. Miller is one of the top relievers in the MLB due to the way he pitches in the triple digits. Currently, the Athletics sit at a record of 32-48, which puts them at the bottom of the AL West amid their rebuild. The Athletics additionally have to go to arbitration with Miller this offseason, where Miller will potentially look for a lot of money. With this development, the Phillies could be a perfect place for Miller to join and look to get a payday from. On the mound, Miller has struggled at times with a 5.02 ERA and only 14 saves, but the potential is there. Miller is only 26 years old and proved in 2024 that he can be a dominant piece due to his 2.49 ERA in 65 innings of work. Look for Miller to be on the Phillies' radar as well as other contenders in the MLB.
Kyle Finnegan
Switching to the NL, one piece that the Phillies can look at is Kyle Finnegan from the Washington Nationals. Finnegan is in the last year of his contract with the Nationals, who are amid a rebuild that makes him available to trade for. Finnegan has been very solid for the Nationals this season during his 27.1 innings of work. During those appearances, he has earned a 2.96 ERA and 18 saves. Outside of this season, Finnegan has proved to be a solid piece throughout his entire MLB career, with an ERA under four each of the last four seasons in over 60 innings of work. Like many others on this list, Finnegan would yet again slide into the closer role in Philadelphia, like he is with the Nationals. With Finnegan being in the last year of his contract, it could prove to be an easier way to get him off the Nationals and into the Phillies organization.
