The Philadelphia Phillies are once again in postseason contention — and the front office is determined to make sure their bullpen won’t be the reason they fall short. With Bryce Harper leading a high-powered offense and a strong rotation in place, the focus has shifted squarely to fortifying the back end of their pitching staff ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
General manager Dave Dombrowski has never shied away from aggressive midseason moves, and this summer appears to be no exception. Multiple insiders now suggest that the Phillies are exploring deals for impact relievers to complement their World Series ambitions, especially with Jose Alvarado ineligible for the postseason following his PED suspension.
“I expect they are going to be active for multiple relievers,” said Ken Rosenthal during an appearance on Foul Territory. “They need a big one, there’s no question about that. Alvarado is coming back in August, but he won’t be eligible for the postseason after the PED suspension.”
Who are the Phillies targeting?
According to Rosenthal, Philadelphia is eyeing several high-leverage arms from clubs that appear to be sellers. Among the names mentioned are Emmanuel Clase, closer for the Cleveland Guardians; Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax of the Minnesota Twins; and David Bednar of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Emmanuel Clase #48 of the Cleveland Guardians delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on July 13, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Griffin Quinn/Getty Images)
All of them have something in common: they remain under team control beyond 2025, which fits with the Phillies’ long-term vision of building a sustainable bullpen to support their championship core.
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What would these moves mean for October?
Adding one or more of those arms could give manager Rob Thomson the flexibility and firepower needed in high-pressure October matchups. With Craig Kimbrel now gone and uncertainty surrounding other bullpen pieces, acquiring proven late-inning options could be the difference between another deep playoff run — or another early exit. As the trade deadline nears, expect the Phillies to be at the center of bullpen activity.
Survey What Kind of Reliever Do the Phillies Need Most?
What Kind of Reliever Do the Phillies Need Most?
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