The Philadelphia Phillies pulled off a massive trade early on the morning of the trade deadline, landing infielder Luis Arraez from the San Francisco Giants.
But Philadelphia didn’t stop there, also trading for pitcher Brooks Raley of the rival New York Mets. Both moves were made to bolster this team’s chance to win, and it doesn’t seem like the Phillies are done yet.
Phillies Targeting Robbie Ray
According to MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Phillies are looking into trading for Giants starter Robbie Ray. Ray has been on the trade block for some time now, and the two teams could link up once again.
San Francisco Giants veteran starter Robbie Ray is also on the Phillies’ radar after already pulling off one big trade together.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 3, 2026
The Phillies have wanted to add more depth to their starting rotation ahead of the deadline, and Ray could be a nice option. The left-hander has put together a strong season for the Giants, and he’s exactly the type of starter to bolster this group.
Why Robbie Ray Makes Sense For Phillies
Ray has made 22 appearances (21 starts) for the Giants this season, posting a 3.08 ERA and throwing 122.2 innings. The left-hander has proven that he can go deep into games this year, which could help ease any burden of taxing the bullpen down the stretch.
The Phillies have been looking for a middle-of-the-pack option for the rotation, and Ray may be the best available still. The veteran could slide right into the rotation very easily, giving Philadelphia a strong combination to throw out the rest of the way.
Having Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez, Jesús Luzardo, Aaron Nola, and Ray would offer the Phillies one of the deeper rotations in the National League. This is a group that could keep up with other elite teams, helping to close the gap in terms of talent.
One of the bigger knocks on Ray has been his postseason performances, with the veteran starter struggling in limited appearances. Overall, Ray owns a 0-3 record with a 7.43 ERA and 19 strikeouts in six playoff appearances.
This could make teams like the Phillies wary of trading for the left-hander, but the hope would be for his issues to be behind him. Ray hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2022 as a member of the Seattle Mariners, and since then, he’s shown more consistency on the mound.
Ray could be a piece of the puzzle, and given the need for another starter, the left-hander could work out well. The lefty will be a free agent at the end of the year, which could play into what Philadelphia may give up for him.
But after trading for Arraez and Raley, the Phillies front office shouldn’t stop there. Adding a starter like Ray could help this team, giving them a better chance to compete for a World Series.
The Phillies have taken their season back after a slow start, and the front office owes it to the players to go all-in. This is a veteran group that has made the World Series before, and with the right tweaks, another appearance could be in the cards.
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