The Phillies acquired an additional relief pitcher just before the trade deadline ended.
Despite securing one of the top relief pitchers on the market, Carlos Estevez, the Philadelphia Phillies didn’t stop there in strengthening their bullpen. Just before the 2024 MLB trade deadline, the Phillies traded for Tanner Banks from the Chicago White Sox, according to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb.
The Phillies plan to utilize Banks as a multi-inning reliever, with the potential to transition back into a starting role, per Gelb. The 32-year-old left-hander has a 2-2 record this season, with a 4.13 ERA, 1.292 WHIP, and 55 strikeouts across 48 innings.
Banks made his MLB debut with the White Sox in 2022, where he recorded a 3.06 ERA, 1.132 WHIP, 8.3 K/9, and an ERA+ of 131. He is earning $755,050 this year and is under team control through 2027, his age-35 season.
In exchange for Banks, the Phillies sent 19-year-old middle infielder William Bergolla to the White Sox, according to MLB insider Jayson Stark. Bergolla is hitting .295/.350/.385 with the A+ Winston-Salem Dash and is now ranked as Chicago’s 15th best prospect.
Although the Phillies’ starting pitching has been outstanding this year, the team saw the need to bolster their bullpen before the trade deadline. Philadelphia’s relievers rank in the top three in K/9 (second in MLB), strikeout percentage (third), and fWAR (second), but are middle-of-the-pack in ERA (15th overall), saves (14th), holds (16th), batting average against (19th), WHIP (17th), and WPA (10th).
The Phillies upgrade bullpen at the trade deadline
The addition of Estevez significantly strengthens the Phillies’ bullpen. Estevez has been outstanding this season, posting a 2.38 ERA, a 0.735 WHIP, an ERA+ of 181, 20 saves, and 1.7 WAR across 34 appearances. With Banks now in the bullpen, the Phillies have a formidable weapon against left-handed hitters. Banks has struck out 34 percent of lefties he’s faced this season, fanning 28 of 83, with left-handers managing just a .184 average and one home run against him, as reported by Jayson Stark of The Athletic on X.
The Phillies, bolstered by these bullpen upgrades and the acquisition of outfielder Austin Hayes from the Baltimore Orioles, have a strong argument as the most complete team in baseball. They currently hold the best record in MLB, though the Cleveland Guardians have closed the gap and are just half a game behind.
Conversely, the White Sox are struggling, sitting 55 games below .500 and expected to be major sellers at the trade deadline. They did move some key players, including shortstop Paul DeJong to the Kansas City Royals, outfielder Tommy Pham and starter Erick Fedde to the St. Louis Cardinals, and reliever Michael Kopech to the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, they held onto two major assets, starting pitcher Garrett Crochet and center fielder Luis Robert Jr. Robert Jr. is currently injured, and Chicago’s high asking price for Crochet may have dissuaded potential suitors. Both players could be on the trading block during the offseason.
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