ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan wrote in his early trade deadline preview that Pete Fairbanks is the best trade fit for the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen. Fairbanks is currently the Tampa Bay Rays closer. The Phillies need a closer following the suspension of José Alvarado. The bullpen was already a need, but the suspension increased the urgency to improve it. Alvarado is not eligible to play in the postseason if the Phillies were to get there. For the past few years, Alvarado has been relied upon in the postseason.
Regardless of how it is done, the Phillies need to upgrade their bullpen. Passan wrote that should be the Phillies’ primary trade deadline focus as well. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is willing to make moves. However, he needs to be cautious to ensure the team does not give up rising prospects in the process. The cost for rental relief pitchers at the 2024 trade deadline was notable. Dombrowski arguably overpaid for a relief pitcher, Carlos Estévez, at the deadline last year.
Trade discussions have begun, and to commemorate the arrival of deadline season, I took a look at all 30 teams to see how they plan to operate between now and July 31. Free and unlocked at ESPN, the available players, teams’ needs and where they align: https://t.co/YqY4VDoGNM
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 3, 2025
Pete Fairbanks is the Best Trade Fit for Phillies Bullpen
Current State of the Bullpen
The Phillies shuffled their bullpen to bring up a fresh arm. Seth Johnson was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. José Ruiz was designated for assignment. Ruiz is out of minor league options. Additionally, Taijuan Walker is moving to a high-leverage relief role full-time after previously moving in and out of the starting rotation. Mick Abel will make a spot start on Wednesday. He will likely fill in as a starter until Aaron Nola comes back and then return to Triple-A. Nola is currently on the injured list with a hamstring strain. Jordan Romano and Matt Strahm are currently handling the closing duties. Romano has eight saves this season, and Strahm has two.
What Fairbanks Would Bring to the Phillies Roster
In 23 games this season, Fairbanks has a 3-1 record with a 2.05 ERA and 10 saves. He also has a 2.71 FIP along with a 1.83 K/BB rate. Notably, Fairbanks has not allowed a home run this year. Opposing batters have a .183 average and a .250 BABIP against him this season, and he has a career-best 1.7% barrels allowed rate. Trading for Fairbanks would help shore up the right-handed side of the Phillies bullpen. He is now in the last year of a three-year $12 million contract that has a team option for 2026. The Rays’ pitching is good and the team sits at 30-29 entering Tuesday’s action. However, the team is expected to trade Fairbanks because of his contract being up.
Other Potential Option
Passan also mentioned Washington Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan as a trade candidate for the Phillies. He was considered a trade candidate for the Phillies last year as well. In 21 games this season, Finnegan has a 0-1 record with a 2.61 ERA and 16 saves, along with a 2.64 FIP and a 2.25 K/BB rate. Like Fairbanks, Finnegan has not allowed a home run this year. He has a 6.7% barrels allowed rate this season. Passan did write that it is a possibility the Phillies trade for both Finnegan and Fairbanks. Finnegan is scheduled to be a free agent after this season and the Nationals are largely out of contention.
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