RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesPhillies trade rumors: Joe Ryan, Taylor Ward among 8 best options for Philadelphia at 2026 deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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Time is ticking on the current rendition of the Philadelphia Phillies .
While the Phillies have a talented enough core to continue competing in the years to come, after four straight postseason appearances that all ended short of a World Series title, pressure is as high as ever on president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. Philadelphia managed to avoid all-out disaster early in 2026, bouncing back after swapping Rob Thomson for Don Mattingly, but there's more work to be done.
Heading into the trade deadline, the Phillies have the recipe to be a big-time buyer, with an expensive, aging core but significant holes on the roster. Whether Philadelphia will actually be aggressive with its trade chips remains to be seen, but an outfield bat, a No. 5 starter and a high-leverage bullpen arm might all be needed for the team to make serious postseason noise in 2026.
Here's a look at eight players who could be a fit on the trade market for the Phillies.
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Phillies trade deadline targets
Robbie Ray, SP, Giants
The Giants are likely sellers at this year's deadline as a disappointing team with some big, expensive names. If there's one player from San Francisco's roster who could be an ideal fit for Philadelphia, it's left-handed starter Robbie Ray.
The Phillies' back end of the rotation has been a problem in 2026. When Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo are on the mound, the team looks like a World Series contender. But when it comes to Aaron Nola and the No. 5 spot — which began with former top prospect Andrew Painter but has now become a revolving door — Philadelphia surrenders a lot more runs.
Sure, the Phillies could go all-in on someone like Tarik Skubal, forming an elite 1-through-4 and giving them an All-Star arm for every potential postseason game. But in reality, a solid innings eater should suffice, bringing more balance to the rotation.
Ray would be a rental in the final year of his five-year, $115 million contract, which should make him a cheaper option than some of the other top starters on the trade market. The 34-year-old isn't the Cy Young-level threat he once was, but he's having his best season in years, owning a 3.33 ERA across 20 outings this season.
In Philadelphia, Ray could slot in as the second left-hander in the rotation alongside Luzardo, giving the staff much more stability to finish out 2026.
MORE: The 16 MLB players most likely to be traded at deadline
Casey Mize, SP, Tigers
Tigers starter Casey Mize falls somewhere in the middle of an "all-in" move between Skubal and a No. 5-type starter. A former No. 1 overall pick and top pitching prospect, Mize has had an up-and-down MLB career since his 2020 debut, including Tommy John surgery, but 2026 has been his best season yet.
The 29-year-old has a 2.70 ERA and has allowed just 19 walks in 16 games, putting him on track for a career-best campaign on a Tigers team that has struggled. Even if Detroit doesn't trade Skubal, it could still look to move Mize, who will be a free agent after the season.
Casey Mize finishes his season debut with nine strikeouts 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SIvN6Poh4i
— MLB (@MLB) April 1, 2026 The Tigers could get some value in return for Mize, rather than letting him walk this offseason. And for the Phillies, Mize could be the kind of high-upside, but rental swing who would make sense next to Wheeler, Sanchez and Luzardo.
Joe Ryan, SP, Twins
Chances are, Philadelphia isn't going to make a real play for Skubal. Assuming that's the case, the next-best option would be the Twins' Joe Ryan, who also likely won't be moved, but could be an elite rental option; he carries a mutual option for 2027.
Ryan has been one of the better starters across baseball this season. He has a 3.38 ERA and 131 strikeouts in 114.1 innings, coming off a 2025 season in which he finished with 194 strikeouts in a career-high 171 innings.
A trade for Ryan would be an all-in kind of move for Dombrowski, as he would make for a fourth Phillies starter with elite numbers who can miss bats. If the Phillies reached the postseason, as anticipated, they could send out an All-Star pitcher in each game.
Reports indicate that the Twins won't trade Ryan, meaning that a team will likely have to impress Minnesota — he wouldn't be cheap. But he's also the kind of arm who could push the Phillies over the top this trade deadline.
Lane Thomas, OF, Royals
The Phillies have had an outfield problem for quite some time. Brandon Marsh's emergence to All-Star status has helped mask it in 2026, but with Justin Crawford (.644 OPS), Derek Hill (.824 OPS) and Gabriel Rincones Jr. (.518 OPS) all platooning in the rest of the outfield in recent months following Adolis Garcia's injury, there's a severe lack of talent at the bottom of the lineup.
Philadelphia doesn't necessarily need to make a big offensive swing, but some kind of solid, capable outfield bat is critical — particularly a player who can get on base for a team with an MLB-worst .303 OBP.
Kansas City's Lane Thomas is having a fine 2026 season, hitting .230, but with a .727 OPS and 10 home runs in 92 games. At the very least, he'd represent the most proven outfield option for Philadelphia outside of Marsh, and against lefties, he could be in the lineup.
Leadoff Lane! 💥 pic.twitter.com/BpOF3RObMf
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) July 26, 2026 Like with the Harrison Bader trade in 2025 and signing Garcia to a one-year deal, Dombrowski has been patching the Phillies' outfield with low-cost moves. Thomas would be another, but still a welcomed addition.
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