Phillies trade deadline rotation search may go bigger as Yankees hunt bat
The Phillies are reportedly weighing a higher-end starter, while the Yankees may add an outfielder as Aaron Judge remains out.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
The Phillies trade deadline rotation hunt may be getting bolder with Major League Baseball’s Aug. 3 cutoff less than two weeks away, according to reports from The Athletic and CBS Sports.
CBS Sports reported that Philadelphia, back in contention under interim manager Don Mattingly, has been expected to look for starting-pitching help. The twist is the level of arm the club may now be discussing.
The Athletic reported that the Phillies had recently told other clubs they were searching for a No. 5 starter, citing several rival-club sources granted anonymity to discuss trade talks. More recently, according to The Athletic, Philadelphia has shown more willingness to talk about starters good enough to take the ball in a postseason game.
What do the Phillies want at the trade deadline?
The Phillies appear to be looking beyond back-end innings, according to The Athletic’s reporting. A postseason-level starter would be a pricier play than a depth arm, especially in a market CBS Sports described as likely to have a limited number of sellers.
Philadelphia’s rotation already has a strong front three in Cristopher Sánchez, Zack Wheeler and Jesús Luzardo, CBS Sports reported. The concern sits behind them, with CBS Sports pointing to thinner depth and Aaron Nola’s continued struggles as reasons the club could chase another starter.
Dave Dombrowski, Philadelphia’s lead decision-maker, has a reputation for aggressive roster moves, according to CBS Sports. The Phillies may need that approach if they try to add a starter who could matter in October while also chasing the Braves at the top of the National League East.
The cost would be the catch. CBS Sports noted that a higher-end starting pitcher would require a stronger prospect or player package in return, with the price potentially pushed up by a thin seller pool before the deadline.
How could Aaron Judge’s injury affect the Yankees?
The Yankees have their own shopping list, and Aaron Judge’s continued absence may have added another item. ESPN reported that New York could be looking for a right-handed-hitting outfielder as Judge remains sidelined.
Judge, the reigning MVP, has been out since the end of May because of a ribcage injury, according to ESPN and CBS Sports. CBS Sports reported there is still no clear timetable for his return.
That uncertainty comes with New York in a tight American League East race against the Rays, while the Red Sox have also pushed back into the picture, CBS Sports reported.
Catcher remains the Yankees’ top deadline priority, according to CBS Sports. The club is also among the contenders looking to strengthen the bullpen, with the possible right-handed outfield bat now tied directly to Judge’s injury situation.
The next stretch should show how bold both clubs are willing to be. Philadelphia is weighing whether rotation depth is enough, while New York is trying to cover a superstar-sized hole without knowing when its biggest bat will be back.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.