10 relievers for Phillies to consider at trade deadline

Bullpens win championships.

We are just under a week away from the July 31st MLB trade deadline, and after weeks of no movement, the stove started heating up late Thursday night.

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Josh Naylor was traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for two pitchers. Meanwhile, the New York Mets acquired old friend Gregory Soto from the Baltimore Orioles on Friday.

Once the first couple of dominoes fall, the rest follow. Hopefully, we’re in for an exciting and busy week, especially from the Phillies.

Now a half-game behind the Mets for first place in the NL East, it’s become increasingly apparent that the Phillies need at least one or two arms at the deadline, even after signing David Robertson for a third stint in red pinstripes.

They need a bat, too, but it appears they are prioritizing the bullpen this time around, because after all, pitching wins championships.

Unfortunately, they’ll be competing with multiple teams for their services.

Because of this, the Phillies will need to explore all of their options and be willing to meet the likely high asking prices of these arms.

Whether the Phillies’ championship window is closing or not is up for debate, but the pressure is certainly on for the club to make a deep playoff run and bring home a World Series title. Typically, assembling a championship roster isn’t easy, and it often requires difficult decisions.

Here are 10 of the best reliever options on the market that president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski could consider.

1. Mason Miller, Athletics

   The Phillies have coveted Miller for quite some time, and for good reason. He’s one of the hardest throwers in the league, throwing a 104.1 mph pitch just yesterday against the Astros. While the 26-year-old hasn’t been as dominant this season as last, he boasts a 3.86 ERA and has converted 20 of 23 saves, striking out 58 and walking 18 in 37.1 innings in 2025.

2. Ryan Helsley, Cardinals

   Another flamethrower is Helsley, a two-time All-Star who saved 49 games last season for the Cardinals. This year, the 31-year-old has a 3.09 ERA along with 20 saves in 25 opportunities. His fastball velocity averages 99.4 mph, and although his WHIP is up from previous seasons (1.40), he still has upside, striking out 39 in 35 innings.

3. Jhoan Duran, Twins

   If it weren’t obvious already, the Phillies would benefit from adding a high-velocity arm out of the bullpen. Duran fits the bill perfectly, as he’s consistently been one of the hardest and most underrated throwers in MLB. He has a 1.94 ERA this season, saving 15 of 17 games and fanning 51 in 46.1 innings, alongside a 1.14 WHIP.

4. Emmanuel Clase, Guardians

   Clase has been one of the most dominant closers in the league for some time now, especially last year when he had an insane 0.61 ERA in 74 games and collected 47 saves in 50 chances. However, the 27-year-old stumbled in the postseason, posting a 9.00 ERA in seven appearances. This season, he has a 2.74 to go along with 23 saves and a 1.20 WHIP.

5. Aroldis Chapman, Red Sox

   I don’t like Chapman, and I don’t trust him, but he is an option we must address because he’s available. And given Dombrowski’s ties to the Red Sox, it wouldn’t be surprising if a deal came to fruition. Plus, he is having a resurgent year in his age-37 season, with a 1.34 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 40.1 innings.

6. Griffin Jax, Twins

   While his 4.09 ERA is somewhat deceiving, Jax possesses elite swing-and-miss stuff, generating a 40.7% chase rate and a 39% whiff rate, resulting in 68 strikeouts in 44 innings this season. In 2024, the 30-year-old had a 2.04 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP across 72 games with Minnesota. Although his walk rate has increased, he offers a nasty sweeper and changeup as part of his pitch arsenal.

7. David Bednar, Pirates

   After posting an uncharacteristic 5.33 ERA in 2024, Bednar is back to being his dominant self in 2025. The 30-year-old has a 2.31 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 48 strikeouts across 35 innings. A two-time All-Star, he’s also 15-for-15 in save opportunities. Unfortunately, the veteran has no postseason experience, and being a Pittsburgh native, he may want to remain loyal to his hometown club.

8. Dennis Santana, Pirates

   It’s been a rollercoaster of a career for Santana, who’s finally breaking out in his age-29 season. After being bounced around among the Dodgers, Rangers, Mets, and Yankees, he finally landed with the Pirates in June 2024, where he has looked like a different pitcher. Perhaps it’s the lack of pressure, because he has a 1.49 ERA and 0.80 WHIP in 42 games, with 11 holds and a 44.9% groundball rate, allowing minimal hard contact.

9. Phil Maton, Cardinals

   Perhaps having a Maton on the team is the key to the Phillies’ success. He’s certainly not the best option on this list, but the 32-year-old has a 2.41 ERA and 1.15 WHIP alongside 19 holds, and 47 strikeouts in 37.1 innings this season. His best tenure was with the Astros, where he posted a 3.67 ERA over 162 appearances. That said, he does have a temper, punching a locker after allowing a single to his brother, Nick, thus ruling him out for the entirety of the 2022 postseason. Let’s hope he’s learned his lesson.

10. Pete Fairbanks, Rays

    Fairbanks’ name has been floated as a possible deadline pickup for most of the season, and although he’s been struggling lately, he would be a fantastic option. The 31-year-old has a 2.84 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 39 games, with 17 saves in 20 chances. He’s held opponents to a .196 batting average.

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Which of these relievers would you most want the Phillies to trade for at the deadline? Is there another name they should be eyeing? Let me know if I missed anyone, and stay tuned for more deadline content ahead of July 31.