Categories: Rumors

3 relievers have reportedly ‘piqued the Phillies’ interest’

Tanner Scott is the closer for the Marlins. (Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire)

A trio of names appear to be emerging as the Philadelphia Phillies attempt to improve their bullpen in advance of the July 30 trade deadline.

Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote Thursday that Carlos Estévez of the Los Angeles Angels, Kyle Finnegan of the Washington Nationals and Tanner Scott of the Miami Marlins have “piqued the Phillies’ interest.”

This is the second report in as many days linking the Phillies to Finnegan. Matt Gelb of The Athletic

reported Wednesday that the Phillies were interested in both Finnegan and Nationals outfielder Lane Thomas.

Meanwhile, both Jon Heyman of The New York Post and Bob Nightengale of USA Today have previously reported that the Phillies have interest in Scott.

This is the first report officially linking the Phillies to Estévez, but it’s not particularly surprising considering the 31-year-old has 20 saves and a 2.38 ERA in 34 games this year for the Halos.

Coincidentally, I wrote a piece yesterday looking at three reliever/outfielder trades the Phillies in the coming days could make to solve their two biggest needs. The three relievers explored in that piece? Estévez, Finnegan and Scott. Since then, it’s become clear that the Phillies are interested in all three of the relievers, and at least one of the outfielders mentioned.

What’s worth considering here is that of the trio of relievers, Finnegan is the only one who wouldn’t be a rental, as he has one remaining year of arbitration eligibility. Estévez and Scott can both become free agents after the season.

That may very well mean that Finnegan comes with the highest asking price of the three. Of course, the Phillies would have him for two postseason runs potentially if they could swing a trade with the Nationals for his services.