The Phillies apparently want to beef up their pitching staff before the July 31 trade deadline.
Philadelphia general manager Matt Klentak has been “in contact with every team that has pitching available,” MLB insider Jim Bowden reported Tuesday during an appearance on CBS Sports HQ.
The Phillies came into the season with high expectations but have been inconsistent so far. They entered play Tuesday with a 48-46 record and have lost four of their last six games.
While Philadelphia is tied for the second wild-card spot, president Andy MacPhail said the team might not be willing to trade top prospects for frontline players.
“Hard for us to make the judgment now that we're one trade away from the World Series,” MacPhail told reporters last week, via MLB.com. “We don't believe that. I don't believe that. So, as a result, you're going to have to be more judicious with your playing talent. It doesn't mean you can't make a different type of deal, doesn't mean you can't make a deal where a component is taking on somebody's salary.”
Blue Jays ace Marcus Stroman and Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner are expected to be available while the Indians could consider moving Trevor Bauer. The Phillies, however, may not be willing to meet the asking price for any of those players.
“Our ownership has been pretty clear, and they've demonstrated by their actions, that salary is not something that is going to be ... it has to make some sense, but that's not going to be something that's going to hold us back,” MacPhail said. “I think from my standpoint, I'm going to be more judicious.
"We win seven in a row ... I might feel differently. Given our current circumstances, I think I'm going to be a little judicious and careful about what talent's walking out the door.”
The Phillies are interested in Orioles reliever Mychal Givens, according to an earlier report from MASN.