By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor
Though he's in the midst of a career year for the Philadelphia Phillies, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says that two other Phillies' relievers are more likely to be traded before the August 1 non-waiver trade deadline than closer Jeanmar Gomez.
"As for relievers, Andrew Bailey and David Hernandez are more likely to go than Jeanmar Gomez, whom the Phils probably value more than other teams do. He [Gomez] has an extra year of control."
Gomez, 28, has stepped up for the Phillies as a closer this season, converting on 24 of 26 save attempts. While the Phillies certainly should listen to Gomez, most teams probably view him as a set-up man, rather than a closer, which would reduce his value in a trade. So it makes sense for general manager Matt Klentak to consider offers, but if nothing impressive comes for Gomez, he's under team control for next season and could either continue as a closer or move back into a set-up role.
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While the Phillies probably signed Hernandez hoping he would be their closer and have a higher trade value, he's pitched in 40 games this season and can become a free-agent after the season, so he seems likely to be moved. Though some of his advanced statistics are a little friendlier (FIP and xFIP specifically), Hernandez has a 4.61 ERA this season, so the Phillies are unlikely to get much in return for the 31-year-old.
Bailey doesn't throw as hard as he did at his peak, but as a seventh inning reliever he could still draw some interest. He would cost next to nothing in terms of a financial or prospect commitment, though he also has a 4.61 ERA this season and carries an injury risk.