Following what many consider a lackluster MLB trade deadline, the Philadelphia Phillies have continued to face difficulties on the field.
Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly, evaluating each team around the league, described the Phillies as “frozen.” Despite adding relievers Carlos Estévez and Tanner Banks, and outfielder Austin Hays, Kelly noted that Bryce Harper’s call for “superstars to show up” rings true. With a 3-9 record since the All-Star Break and a 10-14 mark in July, the Phillies need to “cowboy up,” as Harper put it.
There was considerable speculation about Philadelphia acquiring major players before the deadline. Names like Luis Robert Jr., Tanner Scott, and even rival Cody Bellinger were frequently mentioned by the media and fans.
While Estévez, Banks, and Hays might provide some help in the latter half of the season, their additions feel more like temporary fixes rather than significant upgrades. The Phillies’ bullpen has been struggling, with a 6.14 ERA over the past 30 days, placing them 27th in MLB during that period.
The team did trade away Seranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto, two of the bullpen’s main issues. However, Jose Alvarado has been even worse, and Matt Strahm hasn’t performed much better. While Estévez is on a hot streak, it’s uncertain if he can make a substantial difference. Banks, the other addition, is unlikely to have a significant impact.
Missing out on Tanner Scott might prove more detrimental for the Phillies as the season progresses.
The offense has also struggled. Hays, expected to address inconsistencies in the outfield, has posted a .234/.289/.362 line over the past month. Although he performs well against left-handed pitchers, he hasn’t significantly improved the team’s performance.
Despite the underwhelming trade deadline, the onus is now on the stars to turn things around. With an already talented roster, the challenge remains how to elevate that talent and address the shortcomings that were not adequately addressed through trades.