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The Philadelphia Phillies have done an incredible job of turning their season around after starting 9-19 and firing manager Rob Thomson.
Interim manager Don Mattingly has them playing at a high level, but the team requires some reinforcements ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
There are several weaknesses on the roster that have to be addressed if they want to make any noise in the National League playoff picture.
Their ineptitude when it comes to getting on base is going to be hard to address with only one move.
They also need help in the starting rotation, where the No.
5 spot has been a black hole and Aaron Nola hasnt performed too strongly as the No.
4.
A bullpen arm or two are needed as well.
Addressing all of those needs wont be easy with a farm system that isnt highly regarded.
But the Kansas City Royals are a team that could match up well with the Phillies, killing two birds with one stone.
Phillies, Royals match up well as trade partners On X, Alex Coll mentioned veteran starting pitcher Michael Wacha and outfielder Lane Thomas as players that Philadelphia could target to address their needs in the rotation and lineup.
Beyond those two, the Royals also have a familiar face in the bullpen, Matt Strahm, whom the Phillies could look to bring back despite his struggles this season.
Reunions are all the rage in Philadelphia, with Jeff Hoffman of the Toronto Blue Jays being another person they would love to bring back.
Kansas City also has Daniel Lynch IV in the bullpen who would address their need for a left-handed reliever, but his cost would be much higher than Strahm.
What has been a difficult season for the Royals, who were 43-62 entering play on July 25, was only going to get tougher with superstar shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.
on the injured list for the first time in his career.
If they werent viewed as a seller already, his injury all but cements that stance.
And it is one that Dave Dombrowski needs to do everything in his power to take advantage of.
Wacha would provide the Phillies with a reliable backend of the rotation innings eater.
He hasnt had an ERA over 3.86 in five consecutive seasons and would be a major upgrade over what Nola and the No.
5 starters have provided.
Thomas is someone that Philadelphia has expressed interest in previously.
He has a 107 OPS+ this season, bouncing back nicely from a tough tenure with the Cleveland Guardians.
Left-handed pitching has been crushed by him throughout his career, with a .287/.359/.485 slash line.
Sign up for our free newsletter to receive the latest news and updates! Kenneth Teape is an alumnus of SUNY Old Westbury and graduated in 2013 with an Honors Degree in Media Communications with a focus on print journalism.
During his time at Old Westbury, he worked for the school newspaper and several online publications, such as Knicks Now, the official website of the New York Knicks, and a self-made website with fellow students, Gotham City Sports News.
Kenneth has also been a site expert at Empire Writes Back, Musket Fire, and Lake Show Life within the FanSided Network.
He was a contributor to HoopsHabit, with work featured on Bleacher Report and Yardbarker.
In addition to his work here, he is a reporter for both NBA Analysis Network and NFL Analysis Network, as well as a writer and editor for Packers Coverage.
You can follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @teapester725, or reach him via email at [email protected].