The Philadelphia Phillies have needed a high-leverage bullpen arm for a while now. It was viewed as a hole that needed to be filled back to the start of the offseason. The issue became even more prominent when closer Jose Alvarado was suspended for PEDs.
As the July 31st trade deadline quickly approaches, there have been countless rumors connecting the Phillies to bullpen arms. The main connection has been with a fellow Pennsylvania team, the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Pirates have mightily struggled this season, but they have a couple of bullpen pieces that they will certainly look to sell high on. Closer David Bednar and setup man Dennis Santana have been linked to the Phillies multiple times as of late.
Both Santana and Bednar have had excellent seasons in Pittsburgh. Santana has a minuscule 1.46 ERA in 37 innings pitched. Philadelphia has reportedly thought highly of him for quite some time. Bednar has a 2.73 ERA and is a perfect 12/12 in save opportunities. He has shown the ability to be an elite closer in the league, but has been somewhat inconsistent in previous seasons.
Bednar had a shaky start to the season, completing just one inning in his first three appearances and allowing three runs. Since then, he has allowed just five runs in 30 appearances. He has not allowed an earned run since May 23rd. Santana has been much more consistent, dominating hitters all season long. With a 0.78 WHIP, his consistent ability to keep runners off base would be an excellent addition to the Phillies’ bullpen.
Bedard would be able to fit right into the closer role for Philadelphia. Since the Alvarado suspension, the Phillies have tried multiple options in the ninth inning this season, including Jordan Romano, Matt Strahm, and Orion Kerkering.
Romano has been extremely inconsistent since signing with Philadelphia in free agency. Strahm has not been as great as in previous seasons, specifically in the ninth inning. He has been good as the setup man, and it appears best for him to remain in that role.
Kerkering has shown the most as a closer, earning his first save a couple of weeks ago, and he has not looked back. Since May 1st, his ERA is 0.81. The 23-year-old seems primed to make a push for the role, but it may be too early to lean on him full time. Bedard would give the team a reliable veteran at the back of the bullpen to lock down the ninth inning.
Santana would add another high-leverage righty to the back of the bullpen. This would allow Romano to go to a mid-inning role, and Kerkering to jump to the closer full-time. Santana doesn’t have a ton of experience as a closer, so it may be best to keep him as a setup man.
The Phillies’ bullpen has lacked back-end talent for most of the season. Romano, earlier in the season, showed potential as a closer, but the struggles quickly returned. Adding Bednar would give Philadelphia a full-time closer they have been looking for.
Santana would be an excellent addition, as the team needs a consistent high-leverage arm that won’t allow a ton of baserunners. He would be able to face the top of the lineup hitters and allow Rob Thomson to make Orion Kerkering the permanent closer. Santana would also give them another ninth-inning arm for the games where Kerkering is not available. If the Pirates and Phillies can complete a deadline trade, it would make Philadelphia an even larger threat than it currently is.
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our newsletter here. Check out Stadium Rant Original shows on our Youtube channel and subscribe! Give our socials Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok a follow for more great content!
