When a team is considered a buyer before the trade deadline, there are often high hopes that they will acquire top-tier talent, making their roster look like an All-Star team. Fans of the Philadelphia Phillies were dreaming of big acquisitions like Randy Arozarena, Luis Robert Jr., or Jazz Chisholm, hoping for a major splash.
Nevertheless, the Phillies did make some significant improvements to their roster. They added former All-Star Austin Hays, star closer Carlos Estevez, and reliever Tanner Banks, while also replacing two underperforming pitchers.
During this period of underperformance, Philadelphia’s owner conveyed a message to the team.
“I think we did what was necessary: we brought in a right-handed bat for the outfield and strengthened our bullpen. Now it’s up to the players,” John Middleton told Destiny Lugardo of Phillies Nation.
This message is not lost on the players, who are acutely aware of their close proximity to winning another World Series and are determined to achieve that goal this season.
Despite what many saw as a disappointing trade deadline for the Phillies, the team has continued to struggle on the field. Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly described the Phillies as “frozen” when summarizing the league’s teams.
For months, there was speculation about the Phillies acquiring major players like Luis Robert Jr., Tanner Scott, and even rival Cody Bellinger. The Phillies’ bullpen has been particularly problematic, with a 6.14 ERA over the past 30 days, ranking 27th in MLB.
Estevez has joined the team during an impressive hot streak, but it remains uncertain if he will make a significant difference. Banks, the other new addition, is unlikely to have a major impact.
Missing out on Tanner Scott could prove to be a bigger issue for the Phillies as the season progresses. Meanwhile, the team’s offensive struggles have only worsened.
