Phillies Fans Name Reliever as Top Target at MLB Trade Deadline

Phillies Fans Name Reliever as Top Target at MLB Trade Deadline originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Philadelphia Phillies are going to be buyers at the MLB trade deadline. Whether they spend top-dollar on the best players or target middle-of-the-pack players is still unknown. But, whatever direction the Phillies take, they’ll be targeting two main spots: relief pitching and outfield.

In a poll done by SB Nation’s The Good Phight, Phillies fans voted on what position the team should target at the MLB trade deadline. The article from Evan White of The Good Phight revealed the percentage total from Phillies fans, 60 percent of whom called the bullpen the position to prioritize at the deadline.

White wrote that, “The majority of you believe that adding a reliever is the thing the Phillies need to do with the utmost importance in July, something I’d happen to agree with.”

Outfield help was split between center and left field additions, with 21 percent calling center field and 18 percent calling left field the position to prioritize at the deadline.

The Phillies’ bullpen is the most important thing to fix come the MLB trade deadline. Whether it’s by calling up prospects, trading for relievers, or picking up scraps off the waiver pool, the Phillies need to make adjustments in the bullpen.

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson hands the ball to pitcher Orion Kerkering during the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park.Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

On the season, the Phillies’ cumulative bullpen ERA sits at 4.52, eighth worst in baseball, and the lowest among all teams currently in postseason spots. That high ERA is in part due to the issues Jordan Romano, Carlos Hernandez, and Jose Ruiz have had for the Phillies in 2025.

Hernandez and Ruiz are no longer Phillies, while Romano has had his ups and downs in 2025. But the Phillies spent $8.5 million on Romano, so his spot in the bullpen is likely secure barring a complete collapse.

Regardless, while Orion Kerkering, Matt Strahm, and Tanner Banks have shown decent stuff for the Phillies, there is a dire need at the position, especially for a closer.

Jose Alvarado was suspended for 80 games for PED use, and Romano hasn’t been great. The two main closers for the Phillies haven’t played well or are out for a significant portion of the season. That makes the need in the bullpen clear.l

Philadelphia needs to add a reliever or two, and according to the poll done by The Good Phight, Phillies fans agree. The Phillies need help in the bullpen. Not only do the Phillies know that, but the fans are well aware of that need.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.

Phillies Fans Name Reliever as Top Target at MLB Trade Deadline

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