The Philadelphia Phillies are contemplating a potential trade involving veteran pitcher Joe Ross as they approach the trade deadline. This decision comes in light of his underwhelming performance this season; Ross has recorded a 4.98 ERA over 34.1 innings and has mainly appeared in low-leverage situations. The Phillies’ bullpen has also struggled, holding a 4.50 ERA—ranking as the sixth-worst in Major League Baseball.
Given the competitive landscape of their division, particularly with the New York Mets as formidable rivals, the Phillies may feel pressured to make swift changes to improve their bullpen’s effectiveness. The team is reportedly looking into options for long-relief pitchers and could consider moving on from Ross if his performance does not improve in the near future.
This potential shift reflects the Phillies’ commitment to enhancing their roster for a successful postseason run. With their eyes set on the playoffs, the team’s management is aware that strengthening their bullpen will be crucial to maintaining competitiveness in the division.
The emphasis on improving bullpen performance could serve as a catalyst for the Phillies to regain momentum as they strive for a spot in the postseason. Clearly, decisive action may be on the horizon as they seek to bolster their roster.