Shortly before the trade deadline on Monday, it was announced that the Milwaukee Brewers would be trading reliever David Phelps to the Philadelphia Phillies. According to multiple sources, the Phillies are sending three low-level prospects for the strong reliever.
Phelps’ Career
Phelps, only 33, has a 2.77 ERA and 0.69 WHIP in his 12 appearances with the crew this season. In 13 innings of work, he’s struck out 20 and only walked two. In 171 appearances since 2016, Phelps has a 2.85 ERA. Bringing Phelps to Philly would bring some much needed help to a struggling bullpen.
The Phillies’ bullpen has a cumulative 7.01 ERA, 1.89 WHIP and .329 opponent batting average. With Phelps’ 2.77 ERA, he would be a strong relieving arm to have in their pen. When healthy, Phelps is consistent, though some injuries have held him back from performing his greatest.
This will be the third time in just four years that Phelps has been traded. In 2017, he went from the Marlins to the Mariners. He missed all of 2018 due to injury but then was dealt from the Blue Jays to the Cubs in 2019. Now in 2020, he’ll head to Philadelphia after spending a little time in Milwaukee. The deal will also reunite him with Joe Girardi, who was manager of the Yankees when Phelps was there from 2012-2014.
What Does This Mean for Milwaukee?
Although it may seem unfortunate that the Brewers are losing a good arm in their bullpen, pitchers such as Devin Williams, Brent Suter, Alex Claudio, and Drew Rasmussen all contribute greatly to the pen and are young arms that have a lot of potential yet.
The players from the Phillies have yet to be named, but more information will be posted as it is received. The deadline has come, but teams do make moves even after the deadline hits.
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