Report: Phillies have expressed some level of interest in Tanner Scott

With a struggling lineup that’s been hampered by injuries, coupled with uncertainty at the back end of the bullpen the first-place Philadelphia Phillies certainly have some needs to address ahead of the July 30 MLB trade deadline.

According to The Athletic MLB Staff, the Phillies are one of the playoff contending teams that have expressed some level of interest in Marlins closer Tanner Scott. 

The Athletic staff points out that the Phillies, like the other suitors for Scott, could pair him with their current bullpen arms.

Ditto for the Phillies, who already boast multiple ninth-inning options, and could use Scott in tandem with lefty José Alvarado. Scott earned two saves against the Phillies over the weekend, both times pitching perfect innings.

The Phillies currently sit eight games above the Atlanta Braves at 55-29 holding a 8-game lead in the National League East. Philadelphia has had outstanding starting rotation, which ranks No. 1 in MLB with a 2.96 ERA from their starting pitchers and is second in the majors with 49 quality starts.

However, the Phillies’ exceptional starting pitching has been contrasted by their bullpen, which could use another back end arm. Scott has been lights out this season with a 1.54 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 36 strikeouts in 35 innings (34 appearances) saving 11 of 13 save opportunities The Phillies bullpen has a team ERA of 3.34 in 259 innings pitched this season.

The Phillies have used multiple pitchers in the ninth inning role with righty Jeff Hoffman and lefty José Alvarado, who have combined for 18 of the teams 22 saves this season. Getting Scott would allow the Phillies to use Alvardo in the role he has been in the previous few years, as a lefty specialist in key moments of the game.