The Phillies have scouts at Saturday’s Cubs/Diamondbacks game, and are likely hoping Craig Kimbrel makes an appearance.
According to Audacy MLB Insider Jon Heyman, Philadelphia is in on the Chicago reliever, who transformed back into an All-Star this season. The Phillies bullpen has been a glaring shortcoming for the team in recent years, and with the team just four games behind the injury-riddled Mets for first place in the NL East, the Phillies could decide to buy at the deadline and make a push for a playoff berth.
Philadelphia is 6-4 in its last 10 to improve to an even 48-48 on the season.
Chicago is looking like sellers ahead of the deadline, and could have other bullpen pieces that interest the Phillies, including Andrew Chafin and Ryan Tepera. But Kimbrel is the big fish from that bullpen, logging 22 saves this season and pitching to a 0.51 ERA through 35.1 innings, striking out 61 batters along the way.