Phillies

Report: Phillies “Among the Most Aggressive Teams” in Search of Relief Pitching

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Jul 30th, 2025 · 10:32 AM EDT

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ESPN put out a combo Jeff Passan and Buster Olney story with nuggets and observations ahead of Thursday’s MLB trade deadline. Here are some of the relevant tidbits:

• Olney: Phillies “need a high-end bullpen pitcher but are also in the mix for Luis Robert Jr.“
• Passan: Phillies “are among the most aggressive teams in the relief market and will add an arm..“
• Passan: “The chance of the Guardians moving (Steven) Kwan is higher than teams believed a week ago. The Phillies and Mets are being very aggressive.“
• Olney: “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.“

They also list the Phillies among the best fits for Cedric Mullins, Adolis Garcia, Ramon Laureano, Taylor Ward, Pete Fairbanks, Helsley, David Bednar, Cade Smith, Jax, Jhoan Duran, Jarren Duran, Kwan, and Eugenio Suarez.

Aggression is good, but are they aggressively going after high-level arms or aggressively rummaging through the dumpster for rentals? That’s the real question here. They absolutely need a reliever (or two) and an outfielder as well, but do they land Kwan and Bednar, or do they send cash considerations to the Mariners for some guy posting a 4.56 ERA for the Tacoma Rainiers? Not to be confused with Reinier De Ridder, who defeated Robert Whittaker at UFC Abu Dhabi recently.

All eyes on Dave Dombrowski. What’s he cooking up?

update: Gelb has some intel over at The Athletic (now with ads). He Mentions Bednar and Helsley.