The Philadelphia Phillies have been quiet as of 1:10pm today as the 4:00pm trade deadline approaches. It’s no secret that they desperately need some pitching help, both in the rotation and bullpen. The only move made so far, is the acquisition of minor-league LHP Braeden Ogle from the Pirates.

At 1pm today, reports started coming in linking the Phillies to Rangers’ starter Kyle Gibson. Gibson is having a great season with the Rangers. He’s 6-3 with a 2.87 ERA. He has a 1.18 WHIP with 94 strikeouts and 41 walks over 113 innings.

Looks like the Phillies are currently in talks with a few teams about getting more help in the pitching department. Other teams, however, seem to be wanting a deal focused around the very few prospects that the Phillies have. Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott, and Mick Abel have been reported as pieces that would required to make any big trades before the deadline.

We are under three hours from the trade deadline so Dave Dombrowski and Sam Fuld need to wake up and get things moving for the Phillies. I understand it would be hard to give up any credible prospect in a depleted Phillies’ farm system, but if you take a step back and look at it, the Phillies in general have been less than stellar at scouting and developing prospects. The National League East is there for the taking this year and the Phillies can’t sit idle at the deadline.

Imagine if the Phillies do absolutely nothing. What will this team think? Bryce Harper surely won’t be happy. He’s been on record countless numbers of times stating that the Phillies need help pitching and how he believes in the Phillies’ lineup as constructed. If Dave Dombrowski and Sam Fuld don’t do anything, I would imagine some backlash from players and fans in Philadelphia.

Less than three hours to go, Uncle Dave. Time to make some magic happen.

QUICK UPDATE:

“Kennedy” would be Ian Kennedy from the Rangers. Kennedy isn’t a true closer but can certainly fit that role if needed. The best part about him, is that he’s a relatively cheap option. If the Phillies can get both Kennedy and Gibson from the Rangers, that’d be a very successful deadline. In 32 appearances this season, Kennedy has a 2.51 ERA with 35 strikeouts and a 1.05 WHIP in 32.1 innings of work.