The Philadelphia Phillies likely need to deal some of their top prospects at the trade deadline after failing to adequately
The Philadelphia Phillies likely need to deal some of their top prospects at the trade deadline after failing to adequately upgrade their bullpen during the offseason. They will have to make some tough decisions on prospects like Andrew Painter, Justin Crawford and Aidan Miller, and whether they should part with them to go all-in this season.
The Phillies have been linked to two high-leverage relievers from the Pittsburgh Pirates — David Bednar and Dennis Santana. However, The Athletic’s MLB analyst Jim Bowden wouldn’t include Justin Crawford in a trade package for the pair.
“Crawford, 21, is slashing .340/.413/.447 in Triple A and is an elite defensive center fielder. The Phillies shouldn’t give up on him yet,” Bowden states. “I like Bednar and Santana and think they should pursue a deal for both, but that’s a steep price for just a year and half of two relievers. (Both will be free agents after the 2026 season.) The Phillies should be able to get them for a lesser prospect package.”
The Phillies selected Crawford — the son of former MLB All-Star Carl Crawford — with the 17th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. He has an .859 OPS and has scored 54 runs in 68 games, but his biggest issue is that he puts the ball on the ground too often. He also has only two home runs on the season.
Bednar and Santana would upgrade a beleaguered Phillies bullpen that ranks 23rd in ERA at 4.42.
Santana has turned into an elite reliever since the Pirates acquired him off waivers from the New York Yankees last year. He has a 1.60 ERA in 39 appearances in 2025, allowing just one home run. Bednar has rebounded from an abysmal start to the season where he was sent back to Triple-A. The two-time All-Star has a 2.70 ERA and 12 saves in 34 appearances, striking out 43 batters in 30 innings.
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