The Philadelphia Phillies kicked off January with a quietly significant trade.
Phillies acquire standout relief prospect for veteran lefty
Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports that the Phillies traded one of their backend rotational pitchers to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for a promising young minor league talent.
“CHICAGO — The White Sox kicked off the new year by acquiring Tyler Gilbert from the Phillies for Minor League right-hander Aaron Combs. To make room for Gilbert on the 40-man roster, infielder Braden Shewmake was designated for assignment,” wrote Merkin.
Combs will bring nasty array to Phillies’ farming system
In six appearances during the 2024 season, Combs recorded a flawless 2-0 record with a perfect ERA and 13 strikeouts over 7.2 innings. Michael Fisher of That Ball’s Outta Here noted the following about the 6-3 pitcher on Thursday:
“Combs, 23, is known for having one of the game’s ‘most disgusting curveballs,’ as described by Craig Smith of A to Z Sports, who also calls the right-hander ‘nasty,’” Fisher wrote.
Combs will bring his dominant curveball, efficiency, and winning experience from his college career—highlighted by SEC and College World Series titles with the Tennessee Volunteers in 2024—to the Phillies’ developmental system. Philadelphia will look to further refine his skills, hoping he’ll be ready for a promotion in the near future.
Phillies send out Gilbert after short stint in Philadelphia
Gilbert, a 31-year-old from California, has had standout moments in his four-year MLB career, including throwing a no-hitter in his debut on August 14, 2021. During his time with the Phillies, he improved his ERA significantly, dropping it by almost two runs from 2023 with the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 3.24 ERA and a 1.440 WHIP over six appearances in 2024. He’ll now bring his skills to the White Sox as they finalize their roster this winter.
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