The Philadelphia Phillies‘ continued search for bullpen help hit a snag when Emmanuel Clase was placed on leave under an MLB gambling investigation.
So the Phils will need to pivot, and that’s why ESPN’s Eric Karabell suggested Philadelphia go get reliever David Bednar — along with journeyman right-handed reliever Dennis Santana — from its in-state rival Pittsburgh Pirates ahead of Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline.
The Phillies bullpen has been in shambles for much of the season, and they did address it by signing David Robertson to a one-year, prorated contract last week. Jose Alvarado has been suspended due to a positive PED test that will cost him 80 games and makes him ineligible for the postseason.
Why Should The Phillies Trade For David Bednar?
The Phillies’ bullpen woes have been well-documented, and they are not for the faint of heart. Jordan Romano, who Philadelphia acquired from Toronto in the off-season, lost his closer spot in May and sports an unwieldy 6.99 ERA and minus-0.9 bWAR. The Phils rank 22nd in bullpen ERA (4.26).
As Pirates closer, Bednar has been arguably their best relief pitcher — though Santana could also stake a claim to that title — and Bednar and Santana are the clear Nos. 1-2 behind ace starter Paul Skenes, even with Mitch Keller’s solid year.
Bednar has a team-high 17 saves and a 2.37 ERA in 47 appearances and has the third-best FIP among relievers in baseball (1.96), according to FanGraphs. Santana’s 1.39 ERA is fourth-best among relief pitchers and he is tied for 15th in fWAR (1.1).
Karabell floated the Phillies acquiring both for No. 4 prospect Eduardo Tait, since they need additional relief depth beyond just Bednar’s ninth-inning prowess.
“Pittsburgh trades both right-handers for catcher Eduardo Tait,” Karabell wrote. “The Phillies are not merely one relief pitcher short. Bednar, a Pennsylvania native who even attended college (Lafayette) in the state, turned his season around after a rough April (and rougher 2024). Santana is a journeyman.”
Karabell compared Tait to one of the best catchers in Phillies’ recent history, yet cited the need to act boldly due to their bullpen holding back a chance to win their third-ever World Series and first since 1980.
“Perhaps 18-year-old Tait is the next Carlos Ruiz (both from Panama), but this franchise cannot wait three or four years,” Karabell wrote. “It must act now.”
What Would The Phillies Need To Give Up To Get David Bednar?
Karabell floated a two-relievers-for-Tait package, but according to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the asking price may have gone up, especially with the drama surrounding Clase.
“Per league sources, the asking price for Bednar has included, at minimum, an organizationâs top-five prospect,” Hiles wrote. “While for some relievers this could be viewed as an ambitious goal, one league source suggests this to be a fair starting point for a player of Bednarâs caliber.”
Hiles reported the Phillies, Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers are all interested in acquiring Bednar.
“With an additional year of club control â along with a perhaps slimmer market due to Emmanuel Clase being placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through the end of next month as a part of MLBâs investigation into sports gambling â Bednarâs value is likely higher than most other relievers known to be available at this yearâs deadline,” Hiles wrote.
Tait, alone, covers this asking price. But if the Phillies wanted both Bednar and Santana, who likewise has one more year of team control, it could require an additional prospect or multiple prospects to sway Pirates general manager Ben Cherington.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Phillies Urged To Acquire Two Relievers, including 17-Save Closer From NL Rival appeared first on Heavy Sports.