The Philadelphia Phillies are absolutely desperate to be trade deadline buyers this season, and with the August 3 deadline just weeks away, their bullpen issues are screaming for help. While Jhoan Duran is doing his thing, Brad Keller is likely done for the season, and let’s be real, their other relievers just haven’t been consistently getting it done. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale dropped a bomb, reporting the Phillies “would love” to trade for New York Mets right-hander Luke Weaver, who’s currently rocking a sweet 2.03 ERA on his $22 million deal.
Philly’s Bullpen Blunder and Weaver’s Numbers
Nightengale didn’t hold back, saying the Phillies “would love to acquire Mets reliever Luke Weaver, but the price tag may be too high.” You can see why they’re so keen. Weaver’s numbers are legit this season: a stellar 2.03 ERA, 1.6 bWAR, 43 strikeouts in 40 innings pitched across 38 appearances. That’s a serious arm, exactly what a team pushing hard needs to stabilize things. It’s no wonder they’re eyeing him up as one of the better relievers available.
The Price is Right… For the Mets
Here’s the rub: pulling off a deal for Weaver is gonna be a nightmare. First, you’ve got the whole NL East rivalry thing , trading with the Mets is never simple. But the real kicker? That price tag. Weaver isn’t just a rental, he’s under contract through the 2027 season thanks to his two-year, $22 million deal. Yeah, that’s the same deal Brad Keller got, and clearly, the Mets’ version of that contract has been way better. The Phillies might “love” him all they want, but realistically, they’re probably gonna have to pivot. Guys like A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley from the Mets bullpen make a lot more sense. They’re both left-handers, unlike Weaver, and as rentals, they’d cost way less. A blockbuster for Weaver is looking less and less likely this summer because of that hefty price.
It’s going to be a wild few weeks leading up to August 3 as the Phillies try to figure out how to patch up that bullpen. Will they bite the bullet on Weaver or go for a cheaper, albeit different, option? We’ll see how it shakes out for them.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Leave a Reply