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The World Series is there for the taking, and the Philadelphia Phillies have to step up and make a big move this week.
Philadelphia is in a title window, with a World Series appearance and two deep playoff runs in the last three years. But with most of their core approaching their mid-30s, the Phillies know time is running out.
That’s why it’s so crucial that before Thursday’s trade deadline, the Phillies have to plug their most obvious roster hole: the bullpen.
With no clear closer all season long, the Phillies would do well to either land a proven ninth-inning option or another high-leverage arm to add to the mix of Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm.
On Wednesday, ESPN insider Buster Olney predicted that the Phillies would make the “biggest impact” of any single trade deadline move by landing a top-level relief pitcher to support their pennant chase.
“Whichever late-inning reliever is acquired by the Philadelphia Phillies — whether it be Ryan Helsley or Griffin Jax or someone else — Rob Thomson will have to rely on that pitcher heading into the postseason. Jose Alvarado is sidelined in October because of his PED suspension,” Olney wrote.
Helsley is an example of a tried and true closer who would only be in Philadelphia for half a season — much like Carlos Estévez last season. Jax is quite the opposite. He doesn’t have a save yet this year, but he’s got incredible stuff and he’d be under contract through the end of 2027.
It’s still not entirely clear which relievers are available, but what is clear is that the Phillies need to shoot for the top of the market. But the clock is ticking.
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