The Philadelphia Phillies entered Wednesday’s matchup against the Miami Marlins with a 43-30 record. While manager Rob Thomson is focused on securing wins in the immediate future, the team’s sights are set on postseason success. However, the recent suspension of reliever José Alvarado has complicated matters. With the MLB trade deadline just over a month away, bolstering a vulnerable bullpen has become a pressing need for the Phillies. Two relievers reportedly on their radar are Kyle Finnegan and Jake Bird.
Bird has been a rare bright spot on a struggling Colorado Rockies team that is on pace for a historically poor season. Prior to Wednesday’s games, the 29-year-old right-hander had logged 40 1/3 innings with an impressive 2.23 ERA — a noteworthy feat given that half of his appearances come in Coors Field, baseball’s most hitter-friendly venue.
Not only could Bird offer immediate help, but his contract status adds to his appeal. With three years of team control remaining beyond 2025, the Phillies could benefit from his presence in their bullpen for seasons to come, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
Finnegan, meanwhile, offers a profile similar to that of Jordan Romano. Following a 2024 All-Star campaign, the 33-year-old has remained effective in 2025, racking up 18 saves and a 3.21 ERA heading into Wednesday’s contest against Colorado.
The Washington Nationals have fallen out of the National League playoff race, making Kyle Finnegan a trade candidate drawing interest from multiple teams as the season reaches its midpoint.
With José Alvarado sidelined, Phillies manager Rob Thomson is left leaning on Taijuan Walker as his top bullpen option. Though Walker owns a respectable 3.54 ERA, he has recorded just one hold since moving to a relief role. Still, Philadelphia continues to rank among the league’s elite, despite internal tensions between Thomson and one of the team’s key players.
The Phillies are locked in a tight division battle with the New York Mets in the NL East. Both clubs are eager to make a deep postseason run after falling short in 2024. Adding a proven arm like Finnegan or Bird could give Thomson the boost his bullpen needs to help Philadelphia reach its full potential.
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