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Phillies Eye 'Surprising' Reliever as Top Bullpen Target Before Trade Deadline
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- Phillies Eye 'Surprising' Reliever as Top Bullpen Target Before Trade Deadline
Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The Philadelphia Phillies have one day to fix a bullpen that ranks among the worst in the league if they want to win their first World Series championship since 2008. After failing to adequately upgrade a bullpen that lost two high-leverage arms in the offseason, the Phillies will be forced to use top prospects to acquire a swing-and-miss arm — and a Hall of Fame MLB writer has revealed Philadelphia's primary target.
The Athletic's MLB senior writer Jayson Stark revealed on 97.5 The Fanatic that the Phillies have set their sights on acquiring Minnesota Twins reliever Griffin Jax , who has elite swing-and-miss stuff — striking out 72 batters in 46 innings.
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"I know this would be surprising to people. I honestly think that their top target has become Griffin Jax, who is actually the setup man for Jhoan Duran in Minnesota," said Stark.
Jax would immediately improve a bullpen that ranks 24th in ERA (4.33), 27th in strikeouts (333) and 23rd in batting average allowed (.252).
Minnesota might not be keen on moving Jax, though.
"But it really doesn't sound like they want to trade him. He's got two-and-a-half years of control," said Stark.
Stark added that if the Phillies wanted to add Duran, it would require trading top pitching prospect Andrew Painter , who has been off-limits.
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"If they trade Jhoan Duran, it sounds to me like they're being asked for Andrew Painter and I just don't see that," said Stark.
Stark also noted that the Phillies have inquired about Athletics closer Mason Miller , but would most likely have to deal Painter to make that trade happen.
"I can't see them paying that price," Stark said.
The Phillies aren't willing to part with Painter, but they are reportedly open to dealing top prospects Aidan Miller and Justin Crawford.
If the Phillies want to acquire a premier reliever before the July 31 deadline, they're going to have to part with one of their top prospects.
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