Insider: Phillies linked to two elite relievers from same NL Central team
According to Pittsburgh sports insider Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan, the NL East leaders have had trade conversations with the Pirates about acquiring both David Bednar and Dennis Santana, two high-leverage relievers the Phillies desperately need.
The Phillies' bullpen struggles are well-documented. They rank 25th in baseball with a 4.55 ERA, lost lefty Jose Alvarado for 80 games due to a PED suspension that also prohibits him from pitching in the postseason, watched top free-agent acquisition Jordan Romano post a 7.28 ERA, and seen 2024 All-Star Matt Strahm regress with a 3.78 ERA and 1.230 WHIP.
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Bednar and Santana would provide a major boost for Philadelphia's bullpen, though it would cost significant prospect capital.
Bednar has turned his season around after a disastrous start that saw the Pirates option him following the first three games. Since returning April 19, he has a 1.79 ERA across 29 appearances (2.83 for the season). He hasn't allowed an earned run in June over ten innings and has 41 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings.
Santana has a 1.50 ERA in 36 appearances, allowing just six earned runs in 36 innings. He's not a strikeout pitcher but keeps batters off base with a 0.778 WHIP.
Both relievers remain under team control through 2026.
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If the Phillies want to make a serious postseason run, they need to bolster their bullpen. Trading for both Bednar and Santana would address that need and move them closer to a World Series championship.
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