The rumors are flying, so here’s a place to discuss them. The Phillies and Blue Jays are supposedly in a bidding war for Richard Rodriguez. The Phillies talks are thought to involve 22-year-old catcher Rafael Marchan. In 250 minor league games, he has a .659 OPS and no home runs, so he seems like a good fit. There’s plenty of interest in Tyler Anderson, who’s scheduled to start tonight.
This will be updated if there’s further news.
UPDATE 3:44 PM: The Pirates are close to trading Tyler Anderson to the Phillis, per Robert Murray.
Sources: Phillies close to acquiring Tyler Anderson from Pirates.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) July 27, 2021
Jayson Stark says he could be dealt for two second-tier prospects.
LHP Tyler Anderson is scheduled to start for the #Pirates tonight. But multiple sources say that's not likely to happen.
The Pirates are in serious conversations to trade him to the Phillies for 2 second-tier prospects.
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 27, 2021
UPDATE 3:49 PM: Anderson has been scratched from his start tonight. Mike Persak also reports that the Pirates will be activating Rodolfo Castro and Cody Ponce tonight.
The Pirates are activating Rodolfo Castro and Cody Ponce before tonight's game.
Tyler Anderson has been scratched.
— Mike Persak (@MikeDPersak) July 27, 2021
UPDATE 4:07 PM: Jason Mackey reports that the Pirates have traded Anderson to the Phillies for Cristian Hernandez and Abrahan Gutierrez.
Sources: Tyler Anderson traded to Phillies for Cristian Hernandez and Abrahan Gutierrez. It's final.
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) July 27, 2021
Hernandez is a 20-year-old right-handed pitcher, turning 21 at the end of September. He’s been pitching in Low-A this year as a starter, with a 3.49 ERA in 56.2 innings, and a 74:22 K/BB ratio. Baseball America released their updated Phillies top 30 list today, ranking Hernandez 25th in the system. He sits 93-94 MPH with his fastball, along with a plus curve, and a changeup and slider which are average, along with average command.
Gutierrez is a 21-year-old catcher in Low-A, repeating the same level he was at in 2019. His numbers are much better this time around, with a .285/.418/.424 line in 213 plate appearances. He’s seen a noticeable jump in his power production and his walk rate, while cutting down on strikeouts. That’s especially notable since the Phillies’ A-ball affiliate transferred to a more pitcher friendly atmosphere in Florida. Gutierrez was rated 27th by BA.
UPDATE 6:05 PM: Ken Rosenthal reports that the deal is being held up due to an issue with one of the players coming back to Pittsburgh.
The Pirates’ trade of Tyler Anderson to the Phillies has been held up because of an issue (presumably medical) with one of the two players going back to Pittsburgh, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Unclear where talks stand, whether player will be replaced.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 27, 2021
UPDATE 11:59 PM: Jeff Passan and Ken Rosenthal are both reporting that Anderson has been dealt to Seattle, pending physicals. We’ll have details in a new post.
