3 Starting Pitcher Trade Targets For Philadelphia Phillies

With the Philadelphia Phillies in on the top starting pitcher sweepstakes until the very end, here are three other targets they could pursue this offseason.
3 Starting Pitcher Trade Targets For Philadelphia Phillies
3 Starting Pitcher Trade Targets For Philadelphia Phillies /
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After the Philadelphia Phillies re-signed Aaron Nola to a massive contract that likely keeps him with the team through the remainder of his career, there was little conversation about them going after other high-profile free agents left on the market.

Until the report came out that they were not only pursuing Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but that they had offered him an aggressive contract.

This came on the heels of Dave Dombrowski saying their starting rotation was set with five pitchers penciled in for Opening Day.

Maybe after the pursuit of Yamamoto ended with nothing, they are ready to shut down their chase of adding other players.

But maybe Dombrowski is still looking for upgrades like he has done since taking over this role with the Phillies.

If the front office wants to add another starter, here are three targets they could go after.

Framber Valdez

It was surprising when reports circulated that the Houston Astros are taking phone calls on their ace. After all, Framber Valdez has been one of their best pitchers and has had a major role during their playoff success.

If this trade package is all it would take to land the left-hander, then Philadelphia should jump at this opportunity with no hesitation.

Logan Gilbert

The Seattle Mariners might look for a massive return to trade Logan Gilbert, but they also are in desperate need of hitters to help out their roster right now and in the future. The Phillies could put together a package of prospects to land the righty that has four years of affordable club control remaining before hitting free agency.

His career ERA of 3.76 across 88 starts and back-to-back seasons of a sub-four ERA suggests that he's continuing to get better in his young career. He could be a great back-end pitcher with Philadelphia for years to come.

Shane Bieber

This would be more of a one-year type of addition for the Phillies. Shane Bieber is hitting free agency after this year and his production has continued to decline since he won the AL Cy Young in 2020. However, he still is a top starter in the MLB, posting an ERA+ of 110 in 2023 with a season-long ERA of 3.80 in 21 starts. Bieber would improve this rotation in 2024.


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Brad Wakai
BRAD WAKAI

Brad Wakai graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Journalism. While an undergrad, he did work at the student radio station covering different Penn State athletic programs like football, basketball, volleyball, soccer and other sports. Brad currently is the Lead Contributor for Nittany Lions Wire of Gannett Media where he continues to cover Penn State athletics. He is also a contributor at FanSided, writing about the Philadelphia 76ers for The Sixers Sense. Brad is the host of the sports podcast I Said What I Said, discussing topics across the NFL, College Football, the NBA and other sports. You can follow him on Twitter: @bwakai