PHILLIES UPDATE: Phillies are Building a Fortress With The Signing of MLB Top Red Hot Reliever With an Incredible Stats. In Another Blockbuster Trade

The Philadelphia Phillies may use a left-handed hitter at the trade deadline. A bullpen arm wouldn’t hurt either.

When it comes to bullpen arms in baseball, Oakland burner Mason Miller has received a lot of attention. The Phillies had a good look at the All-Star last weekend when the Athletics arrived to town. He even caught a ride with the Phillies to the All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas.

However, he is not the only reliever available for trade. There may be another option that is more feasible and equally effective.

According to USA Today, the Phillies are “keeping a close eye” on Miami Marlins reliever Tanner Scott, who they are familiar with from NL East activity. If the Phillies take this way, they will gain a more experienced arm – Miller is only a rookie — and will most likely pay less in trade because Scott is an upcoming free agent.

Scott was also an All-Star and visited Arlington last week. The left-hander is having another good season as the Marlins’ closer. He is 6-5 with a 1.30 ERA, and if he maintains that ERA for the rest of the season, it will be his career low. He also has 15 saves and is on track to match his career best of 20 set in 2022.

This is his third season as the Marlins’ closer, and he has 47 career saves. Prior to that, he was with the Baltimore Orioles, where he was chosen in 2014 and promoted to middle reliever and setup man in 2017.

What a team gets from Scott is hit-or-miss. In each of his previous two seasons, he struck out at least 12 batters per nine innings. This season, the rate is down to nine. However, he still strikes out more batters (46) than innings pitched (41.2).

If the Phillies need to fill a hole, it’s in their bullpen. Relief pitchers Matt Strahm and Jeff Hoffman were among the Phillies that played in the All-Star Game.

With Craig Kimbrel in Baltimore, the closing role has mostly fallen to two pitchers.

Hoffman has taken a few turns in the ninth inning and been effective. He’s converted nine of twelve save opportunities, with a 1.09 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 41 innings.

Jose Alvarado may have the Phillies anxious. Alvarado has been fine, but not outstanding. He’s made 13 saves in 16 chances. He has 41 strikeouts over 39.1 innings. Most worrying is the ERA of 4.35.

If the Phillies believe they need at least one more late-inning arm, Scott could be the solution. He has been consistent all season, gives up little earned runs, and has Hoffman’s strikeout rate.