Last week, Bryce Harper said the Phillies could use both pitching and hitting help at the trade deadline.
His comments were not well received by interim manager Don Mattingly, but it seems like Dave Dombrowski is trying to give him what he wished for. The Phillies reportedly acquired Luis Arraez from the San Francisco Giants and are now eyeing one of the Giants' starting pitchers.
"San Francisco Giants veteran starter Robbie Ray is also on the Phillies' radar after already pulling off one big trade together," MLB insider Bob Nightengale reported on Monday.
Arraez will represent a huge upgrade to the Phillies' offense. He will play second base, moving Bryson Stott to third base, Alec Bohm to first base and Bryce Harper to right field. Adding Ray would bolster an already great rotation and set the Phillies up to make a deep run.
Ray is not the same pitcher he was in 2021 when he won the American League Cy Young Award. However, he has a 3.08 ERA this season and has made 21 starts. He pitched behind an opener once this season as well.
The veteran pitcher has 106 strikeouts this season and has gotten great results with his offspeed stuff. Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo have had great seasons, but the last two spots in the rotation could use an upgrade. Aaron Nola has a 5.61 ERA, and the No. 5 spot has been a mess all season. Ray could be the Phillies' No. 4 starter in the Phillies four-man October rotation.
Ray being the last guy in the rotation would put the Phillies in a great spot. In the National League, it's all about beating the Los Angeles Dodgers. Adding Arraez is a huge step in that direction, but adding Ray could give the Phillies a real chance.
The Giants are clear sellers, and Ray is a rental who is almost a lock to be dealt by 6 p.m. EST on Monday.