The Philadelphia Phillies must improve their bullpen performance if they hope to reach the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. As of Sunday, the team was 14-13, 4.5 games behind the hot New York Mets, and tied with two other teams for the third National League Wild Card spot. One of the key reasons for the Phillies’ slow start is their underperforming bullpen.
Their bullpen ERA of 5.46 ranks 18th out of 30 MLB teams, their 1.55 WHIP is 28th, and opponents’ batting average of .285 places them at the bottom. The Phillies’ relievers have secured just seven saves, five of which belong to closer Jose Alvarado, who has not blown a save opportunity. However, Alvarado has allowed 13 hits in 12 2/3 innings and walked two batters, showing that he can’t carry the bullpen alone.
As a result, according to USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is exploring a trade for Ryan Helsley from the St. Louis Cardinals. Helsley, a 30-year-old veteran with seven seasons of experience, had a career year last season, saving an MLB-best 49 games and making his first All-Star appearance. With the Cardinals focused on rebuilding, Helsley is expected to be traded by the deadline, although the Phillies have made it clear they won’t include top prospects Andrew Painter or Aidan Miller in any deal.
Painter, a right-handed pitcher regarded by MLB Pipeline as “one of the best high school arms in the 2021 draft class,” is currently the Phillies’ top prospect. Miller, selected 27th overall in the 2023 draft out of J.W. Mitchell High School in New Port Richey, Florida, is a power-hitting shortstop and the Phillies’ No. 2 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Helsley, who is on a one-year, $8.2 million contract with the Cardinals, will become a free agent at the end of the season. Despite his strong past performance, the 2015 fifth-round pick from St. Louis has had a rocky start this season, already blowing two saves in six opportunities.
