Philly Leader

The Phillies made four trades before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline, acquiring Orioles outfielder Austin Hays, Angels closer Carlos Estévez, White Sox left-hander Tanner Banks, and Orioles pitching prospects Seth Johnson and Moisés Chace. In exchange, they traded Gregory Soto, Seranthony Domínguez, Cristian Pache, and prospects George Klassen, William Bergolla, and Samuel Aldegheri.

President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski provided insights into the trades on Friday and Saturday. He discussed the acquisitions of Hays and Estévez extensively. On Tuesday, he elaborated on the Banks and Soto trades.

Regarding Tanner Banks, Dombrowski stated: “We’ve liked Banks for a long time. Our people have pushed for him. We like his stuff. He’s really been effective vs. left-handed hitters this year. He’s been one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball in that regard. So we thought he was a better fit for our 'pen at this time than Soto was.”

On Seth Johnson, who is now the Phillies’ No. 10 prospect, Dombrowski commented: “He’s coming off of surgery a couple years ago. So he’s bouncing back from Tommy John. He was a high pick. He was the 40th pick in the Draft at one time (2019). He had a high pedigree coming out of college. So he’s got good stuff. He throws in the mid-90s. He’s a good, solid pitcher. He’s been more limited in the innings that he’s thrown, but he is a starting pitcher and we project him to be a starting pitcher in the future.”

About Moisés Chace, now ranked as the Phillies’ No. 25 prospect, Dombrowski said: “Great arm, great arm. A developing pitcher. We just saw him pitch a couple days ago against our (High-A) Jersey Shore club and he threw the ball really well. He’s pitched exceptionally well recently—a really good arm with starter potential.”

When asked why Gregory Soto did not work out with the team as expected, Dombrowski explained: “He pitched overall OK when you look at his numbers... I think a lot of times he envisions himself as a closer... But the way we use our 'pen... I'm just not sure there ever was a way that he felt comfortable in that regard.”

Dombrowski also touched on their strategy regarding top prospects: “We have some guys I really didn't want to trade... And that's why I am absolutely thrilled we made the moves that we made... We feel like we really have a good ballclub and our farm system continues to get better.”

Discussing high prices for relievers during this period, Dombrowski noted: “In some ways what it's showing you right now—the emphasis on getting into the postseason is you almost always need a reliever... There is a high price on it because of the number of clubs competing to try to get into the postseason."

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