As the trade deadline on July 30 approaches, the Philadelphia Phillies are expected to be active buyers, aiming to strengthen their roster for the playoff push.
Thanks to years of diligent work by Dave Dombrowski and his front office, the Phillies have relatively few gaps to fill. However, contending teams always benefit from additional pitching depth, and the Phillies are exploring the reliever market to bolster their bullpen.
Their current bullpen is solid, ranking 10th in the league with a 3.59 ERA entering Thursday’s game, but adding more options is prudent, especially with the constant threat of injuries to pitchers. Consequently, the Phillies are compiling a list of potential targets, and according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, they have shown interest in Miami Marlins star reliever Tanner Scott.
Heyman reports, “Four World Series favorites — Yankees, Orioles, Phillies, and Dodgers — are interested in the lefty who hasn’t allowed a run in 18 consecutive outings and holds opposing hitters to a .140 batting average.”
Scott has had an impressive season as Miami’s closer, converting eight out of ten save opportunities. His acquisition would provide flexibility for Phillies’ manager Rob Thomson to use Jose Alvarado in various high-leverage situations. Given Scott’s upcoming free agency, his status as a rental could lower the trade cost, but with other teams also in the mix, the Phillies may face a competitive bidding situation to secure him.