While Matt Klentak remains cautious in his trade deadline comments to the media, the Phillies remain in the rumor mill.
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According to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the Phils and Indians have discussed a deal for starting pitcher Trevor Bauer.
Bauer, 28, is 9-7 this season with a 3.49 ERA, 10.6 SO9, 3.03 SO/W. In 2018, Bauer reached his first all-star game, going 12-6 with a 2.21 ERA. Bauer is currently amid a one-year, $13 million contract.
The Indians are 58-42, 3.0 games back of the Twins in their division and currently in the top AL Wildcard spot. Cleveland would likely be looking for a bat to help them make a playoff run this season. The Indians are just 20th in MLB with a .247 team batting average and 3rd in MLB with a 3.81 team ERA. With ace Corey Kluber set to return from injury in the near future, the Indians have the pitching depth to be a rare team with the capability of buying and selling at the deadline.
The Phillies are 53-48, 0.5 game back of the second NL wildcard spot and 6.5 games back of the Braves in the NL East.
On Tuesday's 94WIP Morning Show, Jon Heyman said he doesn't believe Bauer will get traded.
Klentak was in Detroit to watch Tigers lefty Matthew Boyd pitch on Tuesday against the Phillies. Heyman reports that the Tigers are asking for a "haul" for Boyd.
When addressing the media before Tuesday's 15-inning 3-2 win, Klentak sounded reluctant to heighten expectations for a big Phillies trade.
"I think the big reality that we need to recognize is that we're seven and a half games out of the division race," he said. "We're a half-game out of the wild-card race, which puts us squarely in the mix for the playoffs. But I think when you're seven and a half games behind in your division, that's going to lend itself to a slightly different approach than when you're seven and a half games up in your division."
