Phillies Target Pirates Reliever Santana to Boost Bullpen Depth

The Philadelphia Phillies are actively seeking to bolster their roster ahead of the MLB trade deadline, with particular focus on addressing weaknesses in the outfield and bullpen. Outfielder Max Kepler, signed this offseason for $10 million, has underperformed and may be traded due to his disappointing stats and inconsistent playing time. The Phillies are also targeting relief pitching, showing primary interest in Pittsburgh Pirates breakout reliever Dennis Santana, who boasts a 1.46 ERA and is under team control through 2026. Meanwhile, the Phillies recently lost minor league reliever Joel Kuhnel, who opted out of his contract and signed with the New York Yankees' Triple-A affiliate following a solid Triple-A campaign. In addition to trade options, the Phillies could sign veteran free agent David Robertson to fill their late-inning bullpen void, given his strong track record and versatility. These moves underscore Philadelphia's intent to remain competitive and shore up key roster gaps for the postseason.