Phillies Mailbag: McFarlane, Trade Targets, State of Team

We are back with the 97.3 ESPN Philllies Mailbag.  Each week we take your questions and answer them on The Sports Bash with Mike Gill.  Tune in each Tuesday afternoon to hear your questions answered on the air.

What words do you use to describe the Phillies at this point of the season?
~Ed

The Phillies started out slow, and then rebounded nicely.  But I think we are at a certain leveling-out point.  I would say now that the Phillies are "treading water".

The Phillies the last couple weeks have been somewhat of a .500 team.  Much of that has to do with the Aaron Nola starts that the club cannot seem to win even when pitching well, and the Alan Rangel spots that have not worked out so great.

Who is the fifth starter right now?  I have no idea.  Could it be Brian Keller?  Could it be Kolby Allard?  I have no idea.

The offense has quited some - partially due to Brandon Marsh struggling some, including an 0 for 17.  Both Marsh and the Phillies has a whole had an encouraging Monday night against the Dodgers.

And of course, Brad Keller has been ruled out for this season and probalby much of next.  That in itself makes the whole bullpen feel insecure.

I think the Phillies are treading water partially because of the starting rotation, bullpen, and the fact that they are tiring has the Phillies feeling very .500ish right now - or treading water.

I think that a signficant move - or two - prior to the trade deadline will give the Phillies the jolt of energy that they need.  They will do something.  Much like acquring Jhoan Duran last year was a boost, I think significant additions will do the same.

But until then, it's almost as if they are in a holding pattern.

What should the Phillies expect from Alex McFarlane after skipping Triple-A?
~Vince

At Double-A Reading, Alex McFarlane has been mostly lights out.  With an ERA of 2.12 and a fastball that exceeds 100 miles per hour at times.   He's walked 13 but struck out a little over one-third of the batters he has faced in his 34 innings.

It's not surprising that someone throwing 100 miles per hour would get a lot of swing and miss in the lower minor leagues.

But with that many walks, McFarlane might be a little effectively wild.

I think that McFarlane is not a sure bet for the Phillies roster.  A this time, it would be good to work with Caleb Cotham and the pitching staff some.  And, it gives the Phillies about two weeks of a look ahead of the August 3 trade deadline.

McFarlane is a 40-man roster member and already appeared on the major league roster for a hot minute this season.  So he gets the first look after Alan Rangel was optioned to Triple-A.

I tend to think he might get to pitch this time, especially with the bullpen a little overworked last night.

Who is a realistic Phillies trade target and who is a dream trade target?
~Danny

As previously mentioned, the Phillies have some moves to make.  The bullpen is without its most expensive arm.  The offense continues to struggle versus left-handed pitching at times.  And there is no fifth starter.

I'll break this into three categories - a reliever, a starter, a bat.

Starting Pitcher:
Dream target: Tarik Skubal
Realistic target: Reid Detmers

It's possible that the Detroit Tigers will trade their ace Tarik Skubal.  It's far from a guarantee, but a free agent-to-be, the Tigers could get a really big haul from an acquiring team.  If he leaves as a free agent, they'll get nothing.

So I think that with at least two aces already and Jesus Luzardo behind them, I think they'll focus more on the back-end.

Some reports have the Phillies making a trade imminently.  I think it would be someone like Reid Detmers, who is 3-6, with a 4.16 ERA.  The acquisition cost would be lower, and new Angels GM John Mozeliak will be looking to make some trades.

Bulllpen Arm:
Dream target: Mason Miller
Realistic target: Erik Miller

"Phillies trade for Miller" could be a headline in the coming two weeks.  But I think that more than Mason Miller, Erik Miller is the more likely option.

Mason Miller is of course a dominant closer.  The San Diego Padres just paid a king's ransom of prospects to get him.  But A.J. Preller is used to making bold moves.  He traded for Juan Soto, then also traded Soto.

I think the same could happen with Mason Miller.

Like Skubal, the Phillies would be forced to pay a high price.  I don't think that the Phillies have the ability to pay a high price and fill all holes.

Therefore, I think Erik Miller is a good option.  He is a left-handed relief option, pitching to a 3.18 ERA for the San Francisco Giants.  He would be under team control for a few years after this one.

Therefore, the Phillies might feel better trading a prospect to acquire Erik Miller.

He would be a nice pick up for the Phillies.  He may be largely anonymous to Phillies fans right now, but he could be the lefty arm the bullpen really needs with the struggles of Jose Alvarado and Tanner Banks before hitting the injured list.

Right-handed Bat:
Dream target: Wilyer Abreu
Realistic target: Lane Thomas

Wilyer Abreu is not actually a right-handed bat.  However, he hits like one, with "reverse splits" that show he hits much better against left-handed pitching.  As of today, Abreu has compied a 3.9 WAR with two and a half months to go in the season.

While the Red Sox have outfielders to trade, it sounds like they are no likely to part with Abreu.  The Red Sox are probably sellers, but Abreu might be a long-term fixture in the Red Sox outfield, unless someone blows them away.

I do not think the Phillies are in a position to blow them away.

Lane Thomas, currently of the Kansas City Royals, might be the right-handed platoon bat type the Phillies have picked up in recent years.

Like Austin Hays or Harrison Bader, Thomas can pick up at bats against left-handed pitching.  He can be a right-handed outfield option over Edmundo Sosa, who could then play the infield against left-handed pitching.

While it would be nice for a sexy name like Duran last year, I think we are looking at a deadline of complementary pieces.  But that is OK; if the Phillies can fill out the roster, that would be important.  A second reliever would not surprise me, either.