Philadelphia Phillies: 3 most obvious trade deadline needs emerging
By Tim Boyle
Trade deadline talk? In May? That’s like eating dinner at 3 pm. Alas, even with the trade deadline way out in the distance, the greatest needs for the Philadelphia Phillies are glaringly obvious.
The Phillies look exactly how many people thought they would. They are hanging around .500 and going through stretches where they play up to their opponent and win or play down and take a bunch of losses.
This club is very capable of making the postseason, but it’s going to take some improvements from current members of the roster and some additions midseason. They may, however, find themselves out of the playoff picture sooner than they’d like. In which case, a whole different kind of trade deadline need emerges.
The Philadelphia Phillies bullpen needs help, again.
The Phillies bullpen hasn’t been good since they were the Quakers. At least, that’s how it feels with this club. Regularly the Achilles heel over the last few years, the additions the club brought in over the offseason haven’t panned out perfectly.
While there have been positive moments from closer Corey Knebel, he looks like a one-year buy to move on from. He is not a solution at the closer spot, nor should anyone expect him to be. Jeurys Familia has been fine for middle relief innings when you just need someone to get you through a game. Then there’s Brad Hand, whose control has been an issue despite some other positive numbers.
Yet again, the Phillies need to add some relief pitchers at the trade deadline. It’s not entirely uncommon for any club. Relief pitchers are the toughest to predict on a yearly basis. If all you need is to improve your bullpen in July, your club is in pretty good shape.
The Phillies could definitely use a few other upgrades, but realistically, it’s the bullpen they’d be most apt to improve. There is, however, one position on the field they should be in the trade market for.