If the Philadelphia Phillies have one roster area bookmarked for improvement at the trade deadline, it’s the bullpen.
Philadelphia’s bullpen was already a source of concern early in the season, then closer José Alvarado’s 80-game suspension changed everything. After a positive performance-enhancing drug test, Alvarado is ineligible for postseason play.
In Alvarado’s one-week absence so far, the Phillies have confirmed that Jordan Romano can’t be trusted to re-assume closer duties. That leaves them with options like Tanner Banks and Orion Kerkering, who are completely unproven in a ninth-inning capacity, to finish out close games.
One baseball writer believes that instead of continuing to fret, the Phillies should take action by landing a two-time All-Star closer from their in-state rival.
On Monday, Newsweek’s Drew VonScio named Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar as a top hypothetical trade target for the Phillies ahead of the Jul. 31 deadline.
“Bednar has allowed just five runs in his last 11 outings, totaling 9 2/3 innings. Being sent to Triple-A Indianapolis allowed him to reset, and the Pirates are seeing performances they are used to seeing from Bednar,” VonScio wrote.
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“The 30-year-old closer would be owed the remainder of $5.9 million by the Phillies this season before heading to his final year of arbitration next season. With the market likely to shift to a sellers’ market once again, the Phillies may have to give up more than they would like for Bednar or any closer.”
Bednar’s year has been insane so far. After three awful outings to begin the year, he found himself shockingly demoted to Triple-A. But since his return on Apr. 19, he has a 3.68 ERA/1.91 FIP in 14 2/3 innings, striking out 21.
Spotrac currently projects Bednar for a six-year, $87 million contract, but it’s hard to fathom he’d command that kind of money after his inconsistency and brief Triple-A demotion. The Phillies also wouldn’t have to worry about extending him immediately, if ever.
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