MLB trade rumors: How Padres’ Brad Hand could be season-changing Phillies trade target

The Phillies need bullpen help. San Diego’s Brad Hand could be had. Here’s why a deal could go down.

When the Phillies arrived for spring training, a new mantra was enacted: Be Bold.

So far, so good on the hope from the team’s new manager, Gabe Kapler. At 38-33, the Phillies sit just one game out of a playoff spot and will send Jake Arrieta to the mound on Wednesday with an eye on win No. 39. Last year, the Phillies didn’t win their 39th game until the final day of July.

But if the Phillies are going to truly make a run at a postseason spot this summer, upgrades will be needed. That’s especially the case in a bullpen that’s sprung leaks around stud rookie fireman Seranthony Dominguez.

Prior to Tuesday’s game, Phillies general manager Matt Klentak seemed open to improving the team–including the potential for a long-term piece.

Klentak: “What we’ve said all along is that if we can come out of June in a good position and get ourselves on a roll in July, then that will hopefully put ourselves into position to make additions. That could come in the form of years of control or the form of rentals” #Phillies

— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) June 19, 2018

If the Phillies look to make a deal that improves the team in 2018 and beyond, San Diego Padres star reliever Brad Hand could be the perfect fit.

Here’s how.

Dominant: Hand should be a household name among baseball’s best relievers. Since the start of 2016, Hand owns a 2.51 ERA across 204.2 innings. That dominance has come with 11.8 SO/9 innings for the Padres lefty. With a strikeout rate over 13.0 this season, the 28-year-old is getting better.

Options for Kapler: Hand, after bouncing from starting pitching prospect to reliever, has settled into a closing role for the Padres. But the southpaw has experience pitching across all innings, opening up the potential for the Phillies to use him in a variety of ways now and in the future.

Hand closing and Dominguez in his current fireman role? No dedicated “closer” but rather a dominant lefty-righty tandem that’s flanked by pros like Tommy Hunter and Pat Neshek? Anything could go, and benefit the Phillies bullpen.

Long-term security: Hand is under team control from 2018-2020 (including an option year for the 2020 season) at just over $24.5M. For a pitcher of this caliber, it’s a steal of a contract.

Depth and prospects to deal: Here comes the hard part. Hand is going to be expensive in terms of player cost. Very expensive.

#RedSox interested in upgrading bullpen, but in order to acquire San Diego LHP Brad Hand, source says the #Padres‘ likely asking price would be a young everyday player, such as Rafael Devers. @MLBNetwork @MLB

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) June 19, 2018

Fortunately for the Phillies, a combination of young, cost-controlled everyday players (Nick Williams? Cesar Hernandez?) could be surrendered. While neither are in the same upside class of Devers, the Phillies could supplement by adding a top prospect in the system (Mickey Moniak? Jhailyn Ortiz?) to sweeten the pot.

Machado to Phils?

If the Phillies pass on the big cost, Hand could land in a pennant race with the Red Sox, Yankees or Astros.

Joe Giglio may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.