Phillies Seek Bullpen Reinforcements Amid MLB Trade Deadline

The Philadelphia Phillies are actively seeking to strengthen their bullpen ahead of the July 31 trade deadline despite recently signing veteran reliever David Robertson. Their bullpen ranks 22nd in the majors in ERA, and the suspension of closer Jose Alvarado has left them shorthanded for late-inning pitching. The Phillies are in a tight NL East race with the New York Mets, who recently improved their own bullpen by acquiring left-handed reliever Gregory Soto from the Baltimore Orioles, a move that potentially strengthens their playoff chances against Philadelphia. Meanwhile, the Phillies' offense has shown strong performance recently, with stars like Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber hitting well, contributing to the team's competitive position. The New York Yankees, meanwhile, continue to struggle with their bullpen, which has undermined their chances despite offensive and lineup improvements, highlighting the increasing demand for reliable relievers across contending teams. Overall, bullpen reinforcements remain a critical focus for the Phillies and other NL East contenders as the trade deadline approaches.