The Philadelphia Phillies are about to have the most important second half in the team’s history since 2011 when they were the NL and NL East kings. Or when they blew a playoff opportunity in 2018. Or 2019. Or 2020. Anyways, the point is not to harp upon those things. 

The team sits at 49-43. The top end of the rotation looks formidable with Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola. Both pitchers are currently in the top 20 amongst all starting pitchers in ERA with each posting below 3.15. Besides them two carrying the staff, the rotation has been average at best. This is why I’ll give a brief outlook on five starting pitchers options for the Phillies to target at the trade deadline. 

First up is Johnny Cueto. Now playing with the Chicago White Sox and at 36 years old, Cueto is over the hill of his prime. The deceptive right-hander has good stats this season despite my comments regarding his age. Cueto posts a 4-4 record in 74.2 innings pitched, 11 games started, a 2.80 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 58 strikeouts. 

Cueto has been a top-end starter for the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants over his career where he’s been named to the All-Star team twice. Cueto’s ability to get guys out in a variety of ways and his experience pitching in big games would be a nice subtle pickup for the Phillies. 

Merill Kelly of the lowly Arizona Diamondbacks is target number two. A big right-hander, standing at 6’2, has a presence on the mound. From what I’ve seen, Kelly looks to be more of a contact pitcher. Kelly throws his sinker with movement to saw-off hitters and that seems like his best pitch. 

The 33-year-old is only in his fourth MLB season, all with Arizona. The 2022 season has been his best so far. Kelly is 9-5 in 110.1 innings pitched, 19 starts, 3.26 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 89 strikeouts. Kelly would be a valuable addition to the club and maybe could be gotten for cheap due to his age and Arizona’s position in the playoff hunt. 

Chad Kuhl of the Colorado Rockies could be an enticing piece to bring on to the pitching staff. Another low-risk type of trade with one of the teams in baseball that are already out of it. In 2022 Kuhl is 6-5 in 92 innings pitched, 17 starts, 4.11 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 65 strikeouts. 

Another sinkerball thrower that we’re profiling here. The haul for Kuhl should not be big because of his middling stats on a non-playoff team that plays in a hitter’s park. If the Phillies can get him for their price, then it is worth looking into. 

The fourth option is shooting higher. It is Tyler Mahle of the Cincinnati Reds. The 6’3 right-hander can really have some eye-popping stuff when he is on. Sadly that is not the case this season thus far. Mahle is 3-7 in 92.1 innings pitched, 17 starts, 4.48 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 102 strikeouts. 

Mahle possesses a 95+ mph fastball with a changeup and slider to compliment it. There are a few obstacles working against the Phillies in their possible pursuit of Mahle. Mahle is just coming off the injured list with a strained right shoulder, he is under team control until after next season and he is one of the more popular names to be mentioned in trade rumors. Despite that, the Phillies need to still pursue Mahle. 

The fifth and final target is Martin Perez of the Texas Rangers. A complete longshot in my opinion but The Athletic’s Keith Law had Perez as a possible trade candidate in general. So if he’s able to be gotten then the Phils should go try to get him. 

Perez is coming off his first All-Star selection this past week. Perez certainly had All-Star numbers as he is 7-2 in 111 innings pitched, 18 starts, 2.68 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts. The 31-year-old is a free agent after the season so maybe the Phillies can woo Texas with a slight overpay for the lefty. Perez would be a tremendous complimentary third starter with his ability to just simply get guys out. 

If the Philadelphia Phillies want to break their playoff drought the team will need to acquire starting pitching. Allowing the team to power through the grinding dog days of August and race to the finish that September is. Surely, we’ll just have to wait and see for Jim Salisbury’s breaking news tweets about any Phillies moves.