\u201cNothing in this series changes our thoughts,\u201d Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said. \u201cIf we play well, we\u2019re capable of beating anybody. So there\u2019s nothing that happened in this series that changes my view at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are 11 days until the trade deadline, a barometer for how president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski views this club\u2019s chances. Some of the strategy is crystallizing. The Phillies have told teams in recent weeks that they are searching for a No. 5 starter, according to several sources from rival clubs who were granted anonymity to disclose trade talks. That is no surprise. But, of late, the Phillies have been more willing to discuss higher-caliber arms \u2014 the kind of pitcher who would be capable of starting a postseason game.<\/p>\n
That would cost more in prospects than a filler fifth starter. But, as the Phillies have canvassed the dearth of hitting upgrades and considered their bullpen situation, all roads could lead to a bigger rotation addition as the piece that raises the bar the most.<\/p>\n
Shohei Ohtani is playing through a knee injury, when will he pitch again?<\/p>\n
Eno Sarris and Derek VanRiper<\/p>\n
Some of it is basic economics. At last year\u2019s deadline, very few of the pitchers traded were postseason-caliber starters. The pool is far better this summer. There are a handful of solid rental starters who could be available: Kevin Gausman, Robbie Ray, Freddy Peralta, Clay Holmes, Brady Singer, Shane Bieber, Foster Griffin and Trevor Rogers \u2014 to name a few. There might be more motivated teams than the Phillies \u2014 teams that need to fill a postseason rotation, not augment one. But this is a robust supply that could meet the demand.<\/p>\n
That list doesn\u2019t even include non-rentals who could be traded, such as Reid Detmers, Joe Ryan, Sandy Alcantara, Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo and Luis Castillo. Then there\u2019s some guy named Tarik Skubal<\/a>, a free-agent-to-be who is in his own category<\/a>.\u00a0But the Phillies would be challenged to create a prospect package that outbids others to land a controllable starter.<\/p>\n And, although a team can never have enough starting pitching, the Phillies have Cristopher S\u00e1nchez under contract through 2032, Jes\u00fas Luzardo through 2031 and Aaron Nola through 2030. Zack Wheeler has been dropping hints \u2014 first earlier this month to NBC Sports Philadelphia and then this week to USA Today \u2014 that he could pitch beyond 2027. In the past, Wheeler has stated that his current contract would be his last. He has decided nothing. But he is at least more open to pitching into his late 30s.<\/p>\n \u201cNever say never,\u201d Wheeler, 36, said Wednesday.<\/p>\n A better-quality rental, in theory, is a win-now move without having to sacrifice a top prospect. It could provide the Phillies with more insurance against the unthinkable \u2014 an injury to S\u00e1nchez, Wheeler or Luzardo. And, if the Phillies are in the postseason, that extra starter could provide cover in either the rotation or the bullpen.<\/p>\n There are plenty of affordable No. 5 types the Phillies could pursue. They will stay in rotation this weekend against the New York Yankees, which means someone has to pitch Saturday night. The Phillies could go with a bullpen game, then skip the spot next week with a scheduled off day if they have not procured a solution by then.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/USATSI_29434480-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n