Well, that was pretty much the worst imaginable result for a Phillies-Mets series. New York sweeps the Fightins at Citizens Bank Park for the first time since 2006, while the Phils' bullpen suffers a meltdown spanning over all three games. Mercifully, they're off today, in case your heart/liver/spouse/pet needed a break.
Unfortunately, once they pick up again on Friday, the bullpen troubles figure to linger. Philadelphia is dead last in the Majors with a 5.59 ERA in relief -- the next closest is Milwaukee with a 4.77. The average is 3.65. In the process, they've racked up eight losses, tied for the highest number.
The question becomes not what can the Phillies do, but who can the Phillies get to correct course?
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CSN's Corey Seidman looked at a few potential trade candidates yesterday, determining even prior to last night's ritual drubbing of Kyle Kendrick that outside help will be required to turn the ship around. Among the relievers who could be on the block are Oakland's Grant Balfour (1-1, 4.70) and Brian Fuentes (2-0, 3.46), or the Cubs' Carlos Marmol (0-1, 5.06).
It's admittedly early, and it's hard to tell who exactly will be available when the July trade deadline approaches. It's not too early for scouting though, especially with increasing doubts the team will still be in the thick of a pennant race or even a wild card hunt by then.
The trouble of course is all three have significant salaries, and the A's and Cubs would probably want prospects in return. The Phils have enough holes on their roster that further mortgaging the future for an expensive reliever may not provide enough of a boost.
Hard as it is to swallow right now, it's also possible the current crop of Phillies can turn this around to some degree. Just about everybody in the pen is pitching well below career averages, so it's reasonable to assume several of them will level out along the way. The reality is the front office may have no other choice but to hope that is the situation here.
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What would your move be? If you would target additional relief at whatever cost, provided the team is in it by the time you could swing a deal, would it be one of the names above, or is there somebody else who could make a bigger difference?
