Phillies linked to pair of All-Star pitchers as trade targets for monetary reasons

The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to be buying at the 2026 MLB trade deadline, and while they need the bullpen and outfield after the season-ending injuries to Brad Keller and Adolis Garcia, the rotation desperately needs help.

There are plenty of interesting pitchers the Phillies could go after, including Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers. But two other All-Star pitchers are a lot more realistic options for the Phillies this summer.

ESPN's Jesse Rogers linked the Phillies to San Francisco Giants' Robbie Ray and Toronto Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman due to the two starters on large expiring contracts that could allow the Phillies to take on salary and part with less in a trade to acquire.

Phillies linked to Gausman, Ray as trade targets for $110M-plus reasons

"Philadelphia can likely take on some salary in the form of players on expiring deals, such as Robbie Ray or Kevin Gausman," Rogers writes. "Either of those pitchers can be a No. 4, which makes them extremely enticing."

While the Phillies really only need a better No. 5 starter, if they could upgrade from Aaron Nola's spot in the process of swinging a deadline deal, it'd be a big win.

Ray would be such an upgrade, as the 34-year-old left-hander has a 3.16 ERA this season with a 9-6 record and 1.7 bWAR in 116.2 innings with 101 strikeouts. He does lead the NL in walks with 56, but his 126 ERA+ is reason to believe he'd be a good option.

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Gausman is a 35-year-old right-hander who has a 4.51 ERA this season with a 4-10 record and 1.1 bWAR in 121.2 innings pitched with 123 strikeouts and a 99 ERA+. His 3.58 FIP indicates he's better than his ERA shows.

With Ray's $115 million deal and Gausman's $110 million deal both coming to an end after the 2026 season, the Phillies could acquire them, taking on the remainder of their contracts this season, and part with significantly less in a trade due to the financial impact.

Philadelphia needs to upgrade the rotation this summer, and adding Gausman or Ray would make a lot of sense. Both are readily available for trade, and they'd be a significant upgrade over their current No. 5 starter options.

More MLB news:

• Yankees are ‘leading candidate’ to trade for Twins’ Ryan Jeffers
• Red Sox ‘would love’ to trade for Angels’ Zach Neto or Astros’ Jeremy Pena
• Padres likely not to trade Mason Miller amid latest update
• Tigers expected to trade Tarik Skubal but still try to contend without him
• Mets ‘desperate’ to trade Luis Robert Jr. after trade failure