The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to be among the busiest teams before the MLB trade deadline, and while adding a right-handed hitter remains a priority, it is far from the only move the front office has in mind. With the club surging back into contention, President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski is reportedly exploring multiple avenues to strengthen a roster that has become one of the hottest teams in baseball.
The transformation has been dramatic. After falling 10 games below the .500 mark during April, the Phillies steadily climbed back into the playoff race and reached double digits above .500 before the calendar turned to July. Strong performances across the roster have positioned the team as undeniable buyers ahead of the deadline, with expectations that Dombrowski will aggressively pursue upgrades.
Much of the speculation surrounding Philadelphia has focused on finding a right-handed hitting outfielder. That need has become increasingly obvious given the lack of offensive production from right field throughout the season. A dependable bat capable of balancing the lineup against left-handed pitching remains one of the organization’s top priorities.
However, according to ESPN MLB insider Buster Olney, the Phillies’ shopping list extends beyond improving the lineup. Speaking on the Just Baseball Show, Olney revealed that the club is also actively searching for another starting pitcher to reinforce the rotation.
Olney suggested Philadelphia is targeting a back-end starter who can provide reliable innings while hinting that Dombrowski is unlikely to ignore conversations involving bigger names on the market.
“They’ll both get starting pitchers,” Olney said while discussing the Phillies and Braves. “The Phillies are looking for a backend of the rotation type guy, but you know Dombrowski, he’ll probably be involved in the conversations that happen about Skubal.”
Although Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal would undoubtedly strengthen any rotation, completing such a blockbuster appears unlikely. The reigning two-time American League Cy Young Award winner is expected to attract interest from numerous contenders, many of whom possess deeper farm systems than Philadelphia. That reality makes it difficult for the Phillies to assemble the most competitive trade package if the Tigers decide to entertain offers.
A more realistic approach would be acquiring a dependable mid-to-back-end starter capable of stabilizing the rotation for the remainder of the season.
The need has become more apparent after top pitching prospect Andrew Painter struggled in the majors and was sent back to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. His departure forced the Phillies to rely on Alan Rangel and several bullpen-heavy games to fill the vacancy, an arrangement that is difficult to sustain over a lengthy postseason race.
Veteran Aaron Nola has also failed to provide the consistency Philadelphia has come to expect. Since the beginning of the 2025 season, his ERA ranks among the worst in Major League Baseball for pitchers who have logged at least 150 innings, making his starts increasingly unpredictable.
Despite those rotation concerns, the Phillies have continued piling up victories thanks to strong performances from the rest of the roster. Their ability to remain firmly in the playoff hunt while receiving inconsistent production from multiple starting spots highlights the overall depth and resilience of the team.
If Dombrowski succeeds in adding both a productive right-handed bat and a reliable starting pitcher before the deadline, Philadelphia could emerge as one of the National League’s most dangerous contenders during the second half of the season and enter October with legitimate championship aspirations.
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