Phillies Identified as Potential Trade Fit for Orioles All-Star Felix Bautista
Phillies Identified as Potential Trade Fit for Orioles All-Star Felix Bautista originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Philadelphia Phillies are setting up to be one of the most aggressive teams at this year's MLB trade deadline. Firmly entrenched in the Wild Card race and 4.5 games behind the New York Mets in the NL East, the Phillies are expected to be in the market for relief pitching.
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While closer Jose Alvarado serves an 80-game suspension and is no longer eligible for the postseason, the team has turned to Jordan Romano with frustrating results. In 23.1 innings, the former All-Star has struggled, allowing 28 hits and 12 walks, leading to a 7.71 ERA. As a whole, the bullpen ranks 25th with a 4.56 ERA, proving further why adding one or two pieces will be crucial to keep Philadelphia in a crowded NL playoff hunt.
Sports Illustrated's Dylan Sampson recently listed relief pitcher Felix Bautista as a potential fit for the Phillies' bullpen.
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Felix Bautista (74) throws a pitch against the Athletics during the ninth inning at Sutter Health Park.Dennis Lee-Imagn Images
Once a core player to a hopeful Baltimore Orioles perennial playoff contender, Bautista is one of the hottest names on the trade block. While Baltimore is not a confirmed deadline seller, trading Bautista may further strengthen their farm system, setting up the potential for star-caliber acquisitions in the offseason.
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Although Bautista's star has fallen slightly after Tommy John Surgery cost him the entire 2024 season, he has rebounded well. In 21.2 innings of work, the 30-year-old has posted a 3.32 ERA, 28 strikeouts, and 12 saves in 2025.
His fastball velocity has dipped post-surgery, but the former All-Star still has the track record any team would want come time for the playoffs. In 2023, Bautista notched 33 saves and 110 strikeouts over 61 innings en route to an All-Star game nod. While he may not be the same player, banking on Bautista in a late-inning role is the aggressive move Phillies' president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, is known to make.
Related: Phillies Make Major Zack Wheeler Announcement Ahead of Cubs Series
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
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