Philadelphia Phillies Linked as Potential Trade Suitor for Cubs Ace

The Philadelphia Phillies have been listed as a top suitor for the Chicago Cubs ace at the MLB trade deadline.

Kade Kistner | Jun 1, 2023

Philadelphia Phillies Linked as Potential Trade Suitor for Cubs Ace /

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Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies need rotational help.

That much is clear.

On Thursday against the New York Mets starter Taijuan Walker went just 4.0 innings pitched and allowed three earned runs. He attributed the performance to fatigue. How a starter can average just under five innings pitched per start can suffer fatigue is beyond us.

But here we are.

With that knowledge, and the fact the Phillies have no real fifth start, the team will likely need to add a starter at the MLB trade deadline.

That's where Marcus Stroman enters.

Inside the Cubs has linked Stroman to the Phillies as a likely landing spot.

Stroman owns a 2.59 ERA with a miniscule 0.986 WHIP through 73.0 innings pitched. He also boasts a 7.6 K/9 ration, which is impressive considering he is known for being a groundball pitcher.

Additionally, out his 12 starts this season, 10 have been quality starts, one of which was a one-hit, complete game shutout.

If Philadelphia added him, the team would bring on a reliable ace-level pitcher who could help them in their pursuit of another World Series appearance.

Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler haven't performed to their usual levels this season after a long year in 2022. Add in the fact that they don't have a reliable or healthy starter beyond them and the need for a pitcher like Stroman is apparent.

As a rental, Stroman won't come at an exorbitant prospect cost, but the Phillies will need to deal at least a top prospect to make it happen.

Add in the fact that Philadelphia will have exclusive negotiating rights with Stroman and the move could be a massive coup for Philadelphia.

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Published Jun 1, 2023

KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.