The Phillies continue to search for a pitcher.
Philadelphia has “investigated the possibility of trading for” Diamondbacks ace Zack Greinke, according to a report from NBC Sports Philadelphia.
The 35-year-old right-hander holds a 10-4 record with a 2.95 ERA in 20 starts so far this season. He has struck out 114 and walked just 16 in 128 innings pitched.
Greinke, a six-time All-Star, signed a massive six-year, $206.5 million deal with the Diamondbacks in December 2015. He has also pitched for the Royals, Brewers, Angels and Dodgers over his 16-year career.
The 37th pitcher to reach 2,500 career strikeouts.
— MLB (@MLB) May 22, 2019
#TipOfTheCap , Zack Greinke. pic.twitter.com/6bE9e07PzC
The Diamondbacks entered play Thursday with a 49-47 record. They trail the Dodgers by 13 1/2 games in the National League West and are just a 1/2-game out of the second wild-card spot.
The Phillies, meanwhile, came into the season with high expectations, however, they’ve been inconsistent so far.
Philadelphia has reportedly been “in contact with every team that has pitching available,” but 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.”
The Phillies have been linked to the Rangers’ Mike Minor, Tigers ace Matthew Boyd and Giants lefty Madison Bumgarner, as well.