Phillies Seek Trades to Address Bullpen Weakness Ahead of Deadline

The Philadelphia Phillies are performing well this season but continue to struggle with bullpen reliability, especially at the closer position, where new acquisition Jordan Romano has underperformed. With one of MLB’s worst bullpen ERAs, experts suggest the Phillies should pursue a trade for a proven closer, such as Ryan Helsley from the Cardinals, or consider options like Miami’s Anthony Bender and Washington’s Kyle Finnegan, both of whom could provide valuable set-up or closing help. Bender is particularly attractive due to his strong underlying metrics and several years of team control, while Finnegan’s solid start to 2025 and pending free agency make him a low-risk target. The Phillies have also been linked to potential trades for outfield help, including Luis Robert Jr. from the White Sox and Cedric Mullins from the Orioles, though concerns about Robert’s injuries and performance may temper that interest. The Orioles, with their depth, could be a logical trade partner for the Phillies again, potentially offering Mullins if they fall out of contention. Overall, addressing the bullpen and possibly upgrading center field remain key priorities if the Phillies hope to capitalize on their current window of contention.