Jun 7, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Felix Bautista (74) throws a pitch against the Athletics during the ninth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images Dennis Lee
Félix Bautista — a star closer that many have speculated upon as trade target for the Phillies — could remain with the Baltimore Orioles beyond the July 31 trade deadline.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic wrote Thursday that while the Orioles aren't hanging up when teams call on Bautista and LHP Trevor Rogers, Baltimore doesn't anticipate trading either one:
The Orioles are listening on Rogers, just as they are listening on closer Félix Bautista, who is under club control for two additional seasons. A source briefed on the team’s plans, however, said it was unlikely either would be traded. The Orioles have nearly a dozen potential free agents to work through, including All-Star designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn. Trades involving some or most of those players will be the priority.
That may be true, and considering Bautista has two remaining years of arbitration and the O's surely would like to contend in 2026 after a disastrous 2025 campaign, there's definitely an argument for keeping Bautista.
But you can just as easily argue for selling high on the righty reliever.
Bautista was the Mariano Rivera Award winner in 2023 as the American League's top reliever. He then missed all of 2024 recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 30-year-old does have 18 saves in 19 attempts and a 2.41 ERA this season, but relievers are so volatile. If an offer emerges that allows the Orioles to potentially acquire multiple long-term pieces, they would have to consider it, even if they are hesitant to trade Bautista.
It’s officially trade SZN. Here are four major Phillies storylines to monitor.
— Tim Kelly (@timkellysports.bsky.social) July 17, 2025 at 12:34 PM
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From the Phillies' perspective, the right offer probably wouldn't be that different from the one we discussed previously in a potential deal for Cleveland Guardians' closer Emmanuel Clase. A deal headlined by shortstop Aidan Miller and RHP Mick Abel would be one that the O's would have to consider. And Baltimore general manager Mike Elias has made his name off of a great eye for young talent, so it's not hard to imagine him finding a third piece in the Phillies' system that's undervalued now but shoots up prospect lists in 2026.
To get any of these teams to part with controllable arms that could change the outlook of your bullpen, the Phillies are going to need to give up a package of young talent that makes fans uncomfortable. But they let both Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez walk in free agency last offseason, Jordan Romano has largely been a bust and José Alvarado will be ineligible for the postseason because of his failed PED test. The Phillies need to make a major move or two to remake their bullpen if they want to have a chance in October.
