Phillies Urged to Target Rockies’ Breakout Reliever Jake Bird for Bullpen Help originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Philadelphia Phillies are positioned to be among the most aggressive buyers at the 2025 MLB trade deadline, with bullpen help sitting squarely atop their wish list. Their relief corps has been a major weakness this season, ranking 25th in the league with a 4.56 ERA.
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The urgency to add reinforcements has only intensified following the suspension of closer José Alvarado, who was handed an 80-game ban and is no longer eligible for postseason play. In his absence, the Phillies have turned to former All-Star Jordan Romano, but the results have been troubling. Romano has struggled mightily, posting a 7.71 ERA across 23.1 innings while allowing 28 hits and 12 walks.
Despite the bullpen issues, Philadelphia remains firmly in the thick of the playoff hunt, just 4.5 games behind the first-place New York Mets in the NL East and well-positioned in the Wild Card race. But if they want to survive the second-half grind and make a legitimate push in October, upgrades are essential.
One potential solution? Jake Bird of the Colorado Rockies.Â
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jake Bird (59) throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning at Oracle Park.Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Sports Illustrated’s Dylan Sampson recently identified the 29-year-old right-hander as a logical fit for the Phillies. Bird has been a bright spot in an otherwise underwhelming Rockies bullpen. Although he will not fill the need for a closer, he can provide pivotal middle-relief innings to bridge the gap to whoever is locking down late innings for Philadelphia at the time.
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Bird is having a breakout season with Colorado, totaling a 1.49 ERA and 45 strikeouts across 36.1 innings. Even his splits grade out well with a 0.45 ERA at Coors Field and a 2.76 ERA on the road. He may not be the biggest name or the most sought-after, but Bird has the making of a top under-the-radar at this year’s deadline.
Related: Phillies’ Rising Starter Labeled an ‘Intriguing Trade Chip’
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.