The Philadelphia Phillies’ bullpen has been one of the worst in baseball this season. They are reportedly looking for bullpen upgrades before Thursday’s trade deadline.

 

Jose Alvarado received a PED suspension earlier in the season and is ineligible to pitch in the postseason. Adding a closer should be a real focus for the Phillies as they gear up for a deep run. Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter proposed this trade that would bring the Phillies an All-Star closer from the Pittsburgh Pirates and another reliable arm:

• Phillies receive: David Bednar and Dennis Santana
• Pirates receive: Hendry Mendez (Phillies No. 14 prospect) and Gabriel Rincones Jr. (Phillies No. 9 prospect)

Bednar is a two-time All-Star closer. He led the National League in saves in 2023. He struggled last season and was not great to start this season. He was sent to Triple-A, but since returning has been great. He has a 1.70 ERA and 16 saves since coming back to the big leagues.

Bednar could slot in as the closer right away. Santana has a 1.36 ERA this year in 46 games. He and Bednar are both under club control past this season, making them slightly expensive in a trade. However, the Phillies cannot afford to go into October without a reliable closer, so they may be willing to pay the price.

“Both pitchers are controllable through 2026, so this would also serve as more than just a temporary Band-Aid like the Carlos Estévez trade a year ago,” wrote Reuter.