Key Takeaways:
– Philadelphia Phillies has the best record in MLB before May 20 play
– The Phillies could add “reinforcements” at the deadline, according to David Murphy of The Philadelphia Inquirer
– Pittsburgh Pirates’ David Bednar is among possible trade options for the Phillies
– Bednar could bring in an elite closer element to the Phillies
– Alvarado, Hoffman, Kerkering and Strahm are other bullpen options for the Phillies
– Oakland Athletics’ Mason Miller may be available, but his acquisition cost could be high
The Philadelphia Phillies, with the finest record in Major League Baseball (MLB) before May 20 play, are expected to enhance their team with ‘reinforcements’ at the deadline, as per The Philadelphia Inquirer’s David Murphy. One of their potential targets includes the Pittsburgh Pirates’ stellar player, David Bednar.
Trading Game Scenarios
Regarding Murphy’s article titled “Ten potential Phillies (rental) trade targets to monitor before the MLB deadline,” he mentioned that four teams that had qualified for the 2023 postseason were at least four games below .500 on May 19. This dismal performance is an indicator for a prospective robust rental market by July 30.
This is promising news for the Phillies. Their requirements for short-term reinforcements could include a corner outfield, a backup catcher, and reliever at the back of their bullpen.
An Elite Closer Addition: David Bednar
While the Pirates’ closer had a rough start, Bednar has recently shown a promising 2.04 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) in his last seven games, including four saves. Murphy speculates that Pittsburgh might be inclined to deal if Bednar continues in this upward trajectory.
Currently, the Phillies bullpen holds the ninth-highest ERA in the major leagues. Despite stellar individual performances, the bullpen as a whole has had its struggles. Having Bednar on board could mean landing an elite closer for the Phillies.
The Phillies’ current closer, José Alvarado, could be assisted by adding Bednar into the mix, allowing Alvarado to surge as the setup man. Murphy said Bednar, in his prime, has had a magnificent three-year stretch with 226 strikeouts in 179 innings and allowed merely 12 home runs with a 2.25 ERA.
Further, Bednar has been an all-star for two consecutive seasons. He’s showing signs of improvement with a 7.85 ERA and ten saves for the season. His noteworthy performance includes acquiring a save in five out of seven recent outings and permitting only two runs in this period.
Additional Contenders in the Phillies Bullpen Mix
Alvarado, with a 3.72 ERA, has excelled with eight saves. Hoffman, Kerkering, and Strahm have teamed up for 11 holds, displaying an impressive ERA of 0.90, 0.95 and 1.98 respectively.
Differentiating between the two segments of the reliever market, Murphy points out that the Phillies must consider anyone. These segments are those who will become free agents post-season (pure rental players) and the late-prime players from small-to-mid-market non-contenders with a year or two of club control.
As Bednar is not up for a free agency until 2027, he stands as more than just a rental for the Phillies. While other possible relievers are set to hit free agency post-season, they may not hold a pivotal role for the future, including Oakland Athletics’ Mason Miller. He may be available, but a costly acquisition, a fact acknowledged by Murphy.