The Philadelphia Phillies seem to have figured something out since they fired manager Rob Thomson and promoted Don Mattingly to the position. They are now 31-29 and just one game back of the Arizona Diamondbacks for the third National League wild card spot.
They won the NL East last year and fell short in the NLDS. They have a lot of ground to make up if they want to win another division title, but the wild card is very much in play. In that case, they should be a team that looks to add at the trade deadline.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic notes that the Phillies could be an interesting fit for Tarik Skubal. However, there is one thing that might complicate a potential deal.
“They have luxury tax issues like the Dodgers, so you’re effectively paying double in salary for what you will be getting here,” Rosenthal said. “You have to pay the penalty, so I don’t know if they would actually do it when they would have other needs.”
“I just don’t rule out Dombrowski and Middleton in a situation like this,” says @Ken_Rosenthal.
Phillies Skubal Link Comes With Catch
Obviously, there are possible issues here. The Phillies have luxury tax problems and would have to pay the penalties, which could complicate things. At the same time, Skubal is a free agent at the end of the season, and the Phillies would have to weigh the risks of acquiring a pitcher for just a half season and giving up several prospects for him, especially when Skubal is on the injured list and has a long history of arm issues.
However, he did throw a simulated game earlier this week and is recovering quite well after having surgery to remove bone chips in his pitching elbow, so if he can come back healthy, then the Phillies would have a clear reason to go out and acquire him, regardless of luxury tax issues.
The Phillies are a team that likes to make big moves, and as Rosenthal notes, owner John Middleton and general manager Dave Dombrowski are not afraid to pay a hefty price in order to land what should be the top pitcher on the trade market this summer.
The Phillies are right back in the thick of the playoff race despite a slow start to the season, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they do end up making a play for Skubal as they try to reach the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year.
Phillies, Tigers Have Link
It also can’t hurt that Dombrowski once worked as the general manager for the Tigers, so he has contacts within the organization and would be making a deal with an organization that he is very familiar with. That would be a good place to start if he wants to add some starting pitching to the mix.
The Phillies have the proper prospects to get a deal done, so it will be interesting to see if Dombrowski is willing to make a deal with his old team and land their best pitcher in a blockbuster.
Phillies Called Possible Fit for Tarik Skubal, But There’s a Catch