Matt Higgins
If the Philadelphia Phillies want to make a World Series run this year, they need to upgrade their beleaguered bullpen, which ranks 25th in ERA at 4.63. Lefty Jose Alvarado is prohibited from pitching in the postseason as he continues serving an 80-game PED suspension, Jordan Romano — their top free-agent relief acquisition — is sporting a 6.28 ERA heading into Thursday’s game against the Houston Astros, and 2024 All-Star Matt Strahm has regressed this season. Here are five relievers the Phillies should target at the trade deadline.
Aroldis Chapman: Boston Red Sox
He might be 37, but Boston Red Sox southpaw Aroldis Chapman is still dominating hitters with his triple-digit fastball. He has a 1.36 ERA in 36 appearances, with 48 strikeouts in 33 innings and 14 saves, plus a 305 ERA+, 1.86 FIP and 0.818 WHIP. He’s appeared in 44 playoff games and won two World Series championships. Without Alvarado, the Phillies need a left-handed strikeout machine coming out of the bullpen, and Chapman fits that description.
Felix Bautista: Baltimore Orioles
The Phillies should eye Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista, who is returning to form after missing all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery. Bautista, an All-Star in 2023, has a 2.60 ERA in 28 appearances, with 16 saves and 38 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings, plus a 148 ERA+, 3.11 FIP and 1.120 WHIP. The hard-throwing righty has strong whiff and strikeout percentages — both at 33.6% — which rank in the 94th and 96th percentiles. However, Bautista’s high walk rate at 15% is concerning. He’s also under control through 2027, so the Phillies would have to dig deep to pry him from the Orioles.
Dennis Santana: Pittsburgh Pirates
Dennis Santana has turned into an elite reliever with the Pittsburgh Pirates after being acquired off waivers from the New York Yankees in 2024. Across 35 appearances this season, Santana has a 1.57 ERA, with a 269 ERA+, 2.37 FIP and 0.786 WHIP. He has one of the best walk percentages in baseball at 3.9% — good for the 97th percentile. Santana isn’t a strikeout pitcher, though. He has just a 20.3% strikeout rate, which ranks in the 38th percentile, and strikes out 6.9 per nine. Even though he might not be the flamethrower most teams want out of their bullpen, he gets the job done and keeps hitters off base. Santana won’t be a free agent until after the 2026 season.
David Bednar: Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates optioned David Bednar after a disastrous start three games into the season, where he managed just one inning across three appearances, allowing six baserunners and posting a 27.00 ERA. But the two-time All-Star has righted the ship since returning April 19. He has a 2.93 ERA over 39 games, striking out 39 in 27 2/3 innings, with a 145 ERA+, 2.17 FIP and 1.120 WHIP. Bednar allows plenty of hard-hit balls — 42.2% — but he has a strong strikeout percentage at 34.8%, good for the 96th percentile in MLB. He won’t be a free agent until after the 2026 season.
Jhoan Duran: Minnesota Twins
If the fading Minnesota Twins make him available, Jhoan Duran will be the most sought-after reliever at the trade deadline. He averages 100.2 mph on his fastball, strikes out 27% of the batters he faces and has a ground-ball rate of 71.3% — best in baseball. He’s sporting a 1.73 ERA in 38 appearances, with a 242 ERA+, 2.22 FIP and 1.101 WHIP. Duran won’t be a free agent until after the 2027 season.
