Here are the 4 players the Phillies should target by MLB trade deadline

Maybe the Phillies will be buyers by the July 30 MLB trade deadline, after all.

Having won four consecutive series, the 47-45 Phillies are only two games behind the National League East-leading New York Mets with 70 left heading into a two-game series at Yankee Stadium that begins Tuesday night.

On John Clark’s “Takeoff” podcast, Phils president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said he doesn’t plan to be a seller, barring a long losing streak between now and July 30.

“We are contending and we genuinely have a chance to win,” he said. “… We’re in a position where we’re in this and we’re going to try to make our club better.”

While the Phillies would be 8½ games back of the Brewers if they were in the NL Central and 11 behind the Dodgers in the NL West, Dombrowski believes anything can happen once the Phils reach the playoffs, which hasn’t happened since 2011.

“In any short series, if you go in there with (starting pitchers Zack) Wheeler, (Aaron) Nola and (Zach) Eflin all throwing well … you can beat anybody,” said Dombrowski, who has shown he's not afraid to make deadline moves in the past.

Here are four potential Phillies’ trade targets (in order) that would increase their postseason chances:

Kris Bryant, CF

The versatile Bryant, who has played all three outfield positions and third base for the Chicago Cubs this season, would probably be a center fielder in Philadelphia and add some pop to the Phillies’ lineup.

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The 2016 NL MVP, Bryant made his fourth all-star team in 2021, but his $19.5 million contract expires at the end of this year. The Cubs are expected to rebuild and don’t plan on giving a big-money, long-term contract to the 29-year-old Bryant. He has 16 home runs and his .497 slugging percentage only trails Bryce Harper’s .519 among Phillies’ regulars.

It’s unclear what prospects the Phillies would have to give up to land Bryant. He’d almost surely be a three-month rental and not somebody the Phils would be willing to commit nine figures to. Plus, plenty of other contenders, such as the Mets, Dodgers and Brewers, would want to boost their lineup with Bryant.

Richard Rodriguez, reliever

The Pirates’ closer is having a career year, with 13 saves, a 0.80 WHIP and 2.65 ERA after a nondescript MLB career that didn’t begin until he was 27. The Phillies could use at least one more bullpen arm and Rodriguez is only making $1.7 million, with arbitration-eligible seasons in 2022 and ’23.

Since Pittsburgh is 36-57 and in rebuilding mode, the Pirates would benefit from picking up a prospect or two.

Michael Pineda, starter

Pineda would bolster the back end of a rotation that consists of Matt Moore and the maddening Vince Velasquez. Another impending free agent, the 32-year-old Pineda is 3-5 with a 4.11 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 12 starts with the 39-53 Twins this season.

He shouldn’t cost more than a mid-level prospect or two and would be another arm in the mix.

Starling Marte, CF

After Marte turned down a three-year, $30 million extension, according to reports, the Marlins are expected to trade him. He has seven home runs, 22 RBIs and an .831 OPS, which is topped only by Harper (.899) among Phillies’ regulars, despite missing 36 games from mid-April until late May due to a fractured rib.

Marte is 11 for 26 (.423) in six games at Citizens Bank Park this season. He’s also a two-time Gold Glove winner and has stolen 19 bases in 22 attempts.

The Yankees, Astros and others figure to be interested in the 32-year-old Marte.

As for former Phillies’ World Series MVP Cole Hamels, who worked out for 20 teams Friday, I’m not sure how much of an upgrade he would be over No. 4 and 5 starters Moore and Velasquez at this point.

Hamels is 37, only pitched 3⅓ innings in 2020 and his velocity was down across the board during Friday’s session. It would also undoubtedly take at least a month for him to be ready to pitch at the major league level.

Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes.com; @TomMoorePhilly