Overview

• The Phillies bullpen ranks 25th in MLB with a 4.63 ERA and a .259 opponent batting average, intensifying front-office urgency
• Left-hander José Alvarado’s suspension for violating MLB’s drug policy removes a key high-leverage arm from postseason contention
• Analysts propose acquiring veteran Aroldis Chapman on a one-year deal, potentially packaging outfielder Rob Refsnyder for prospect Mick Abel
• Other projections favor a trade for Pittsburgh’s David Bednar, who has posted a 2.03 ERA and 11 saves since returning from Triple-A and carries one year of control
• Dave Dombrowski faces the challenge of upgrading the bullpen before July 31 without trading away top prospects needed for the future