Phillies' get good news on starting pitching trade deadline need

The Philadelphia Phillies have three clear trade deadline needs this season, with right-handed hitting outfield and a high-leverage reliever being two major needs.

But another huge need is in the starting rotation, despite how good their top three starters are. A good fifth starter might be the difference between an NL East title and a Wild Card spot.

Fortunately for the Phillies, they got some good news on this trade deadline need, as ESPN's Buster Olney revealed that there should be "a lot of good options" this summer.

Phillies should have 'a lot of good options' to upgrade starting rotation

"... but the teams most aggressively in need of a starting pitcher -- we're looking at you, Cubs, Phillies and Braves -- should have a lot of good options," Olney writes.

The Phillies should be able to find a solid starting pitching trade target this summer by the August 3 trade deadline, as there should be plenty of options available.

Some early options are Freddy Peralta, Clay Holmes, Robbie Ray, and maybe even Kevin Gausman if the Toronto Blue Jays falter a bit.

But, between now and the trade deadline, more names should emerge as options for the Phillies. Dave Dombrowski and company should have plenty of choices this summer for rotation upgrades.

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Considering how barren the right-handed-hitting outfield market is, it's a good thing that the Phillies will have an abundance of options in the rotation.

While they might have to compete with the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves, along with likely the Milwaukee Brewers and many other contenders in this market, the Phillies should be able to find someone who works for their team at the deadline.

The Phillies don't need to explore the likes of Joe Ryan or Tarik Skubal in the trade market, as they don't need an ace, but rather a stable back-end starter. That market should be robust, giving the Phillies plenty of good options this summer.

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