.jpg)
9 hours ago
1
The Philadelphia Phillies are one of the best teams in all of Major League Baseball, but they are missing a key piece to their roster.
When the game gets late, many Phillies fans start to hold their breath because the back end of their bullpen has been a disaster this season.
According to Inside The Pen, the Phillies' bullpen ranks 25th in the MLB, which is not ideal if they want to compete in the World Series.
Philadelphia must trade for a closer by next month's trade deadline, and Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan from ESPN think Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista would be a fit for the Phillies.
"The Mountain is back from Tommy John surgery and looking like his former self. A dominant June -- 8 innings, 1 hit, 3 walks, 12 strikeouts, 0.00 ERA -- has seen him induce more popups than line drives allowed," McDaniel and Passan wrote. "He has another two years before free agency, and with the Orioles planning on contending between now and then, landing him will take more than most teams are willing to give."
Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp
Bautista, a one-time All-Star in 2023, has a total of 64 career saves over 148 games and has been one of the best closers in the MLB when healthy.
Bautista, 30, has two more years of control after this season, so Philadelphia would be able to get three postseason runs out of the star pitcher.
More MLB: Red Sox could cut ties with $19 million player in trade with Dodgers per MLB insiders
English (US)