MLB trade rumors: Luzardo to bullpen? Suarez top target? Here's the latest Phillies news

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5 days ago

The Philadelphia Phillies are in contention again as the MLB Trade Deadline nears.
With the deadline approaching, the Phils are neck-and-neck atop the National League East standings with the New York Mets — the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last season.
After falling short of a World Series despite reaching the postseason each of the last three years, will the Phillies finally break through this year to earn the franchise's third World Series championship?
To do so, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and the front office likely will have to make some moves to improve the team at the deadline.
Which players might the Phils target? Here are the latest rumors:
MLB Trade Deadline: If Phillies weigh trading prospects like Andrew Painter, they can't repeat these mishaps
When is the MLB Trade Deadline?
The 2025 MLB Trade Deadline is July 31 at 6 p.m. ET.
What is the MLB Trade Deadline?
The trade deadline is the last point during the season at which players on 40-man rosters can be traded from one club to another.
After this date, players on any team's 40-man roster must first pass through waivers before being traded.
Any player must be in a team's roster by Aug. 31 to be eligible for the postseason.
National League East standings
Team
W
L
PCT
GB
Mets
62
46
.574
-
Phillies
61
46
.570
0.5
Marlins
51
55
.480
10
Braves
45
61
.425
16
Nationals
44
63
.411
17.6
* As of July 30
NL Wild Card standings
Team
W
L
PCT
GB
Cubs
62
45
.579
+3.5
Phillies
61
45
.570
+2.5
Padres
59
49
.546
-
Reds
56
52
.519
3
Cardinals
55
54
.505
4.5
Giants
54
54
.500
5
* As of July 30
Phillies team needs
Dombrowski and the Phils front office likely will be targeting relief pitchers and outfield depth to sure up the roster before a postseason run.
This season, bullpen depth has been an issue after the free-agent departures of Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez, who left for the Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals, respectively.
The bullpen also took a hit when left-handed reliever José Alvarado was suspended for 80 games in May for violating MLB's PED policy.
To help fill the void, the Phils recently signed veteran right-handed reliever David Robertson after he sat out the season following a strong 2024 season with the Texas Rangers. Robertson has spent two other stints with Philadelphia, including during the team's 2022 World Series run.
Outfield has also been a concern for much of the year, with free-agent addition Max Kepler struggling to provide offensive stability. While he has improved at the plate as the summer has progressed, center fielder Brandon Marsh, along with outfielders Nick Castellanos and Johan Rojas, has been inconsistent offensively this season.
The Phils might also need a third base with hot corner mainstay Alec Bohm possibly out for several weeks with a rib fracture.
Phillies top trade candidates
With relief pitching and outfield depth issues in mind, here's a look at some players that have been linked to the Phillies, according to media reports:
Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez, a pending free agent who is among the league leaders in home runs. According to MLB.com reporter Mark Feinsand, the Mariners, Cubs, Tigers and Phillies are considered the primary teams in the race for the All-Star third baseman.
White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. has come up in trade discussions at the last few deadlines and is again being discussed by several teams, including the Phillies, reports KPRC 2 Houston's Ari Alexander.
Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan recently came up in trade rumors involving the Phils, which would have an immediate need for the two-time All-Star who is under arbitration control for another two seasons, according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post.
St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley, one of the best in the NL, is on the Phillies radar and in high demand among other teams as well, according to Mark Feinsand of mlb.com.
Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Duran is another reliever rumored to be available at the deadline who the Phils could be interested in acquiring, but according to Jayson Stark of The Athletic, the Twins want Phillies top prospect Andrew Painter, which would be a dealbreaker. The Phillies are turning their attention to Twins reliever Griffin Jax.
Athletics closer Mason Miller, the young, fireball-throwing right-hander, is another elite relief option who could be available if a team throws enough prospects at the A's.
Jesus Luzardo moving to the Phillies bullpen?
According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the Phillies are looking at a closer, but the cost of Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar, who is under team control until 2026, is too high. The Phillies are interested in Minnesota relievers Duran and Griffin Jax, but the Twins may wait until the offseason to deal either pitcher. The Phillies may be pivoting to the Cardinals' Helsley. However, the closer, who is a free agent after the 2025 season, is being considered by several teams.
If the Phillies don't get any of the closers, Gelb wrote, there's the possibility of moving Luzardo to the bullpen once Aaron Nola returns from the injured list. The switch would bolster the Phils' bullpen while limiting Luzardo's innings, which have already surpassed his career high.
MLB trade deadline candidates
According to MLB.com, here are notable players who might get moved at the deadline:
Starting pitchers
Sandy Alcantara (Marlins)
Tyler Anderson (Angels)
Edward Cabrera (Marlins)
Dylan Cease (Padres)
Zach Eflin (Orioles)
Zac Gallen (Diamondbacks)
Andrew Heaney (Pirates)
Adrian Houser (White Sox)
Mitch Keller (Pirates)
Merrill Kelly (Diamondbacks)
Charlie Morton (Orioles)
Joe Ryan (Twins),
Luis Severino (Athletics)
Michael Soroka (Nationals)
Tomoyuki Sugano (Orioles)
Relief pitchers
David Bednar (Pirates)
Anthony Bender (Marlins)
Jake Bird (Rockies)
Emmanuel Clase (Guardians)
Danny Coulombe (Twins)
Jhoan Duran (Twins)
Pete Fairbanks (Rays)
Kyle Finnegan (Nationals)
Seth Halvorsen (Rockies)
Ryan Helsley (Cardinals)
Raisel Iglesias (Braves)
Griffin Jax (Twins)
Kenley Jansen (Angels)
Andrew Kittredge (Orioles)
Phil Maton (Cardinals)
Mason Miller (Athletics)
Dennis Santana (Pirates)
Victor Vodnik (Rockies)
Position players
Nolan Arenado (Cardinals)
Harrison Bader (Twins)
Josh Bell (Nationals)
Willi Castro (Twins)
Yandy Díaz (Rays)
Jarren Duran (Red Sox)
Adolis García (Rangers)
Ke'Bryan Hayes (Pirates)
Starling Marte (Mets)
Yoán Moncada (Angels)
Cedric Mullins (Orioles)
Brandon Lowe (Rays)
Ryan O'Hearn (Orioles)
Marcell Ozuna (Braves)
Luis Robert Jr. (White Sox)
Jesus Sanchez (Marlins)
Eugenio Suárez (D-backs)
Taylor Ward (Angels)
Greg Giesen contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: When is the MLB trade deadline? Latest Phillies trade rumors