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Phillies Trade Idea Brings Former No. 10 Pick to Rescue Bullpen

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated May 29, 2025 1:07 PM ET

When all is said and done, veteran pitcher Reid Detmers may look back fondly on moving to the bullpen—if only because it may free him from the Los Angeles Angels.

After four seasons in the Angels’ rotation, Detmers permanently moved to the bullpen earlier this year. The new role could prove to be his salvation, with the 25-year-old lefty already becoming the subject of trade rumors.

CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson is all aboard the Detmers-trade train, proposing the Philadelphia Phillies pursue the 2020 No. 10 pick ahead of the July 31 deadline. Although Detmers exclusively pitched out of the rotation in his first four seasons, Anderson believes—and rightfully so—that any contender would continue using him in a relief role.

“Other teams are going to try to buy low on Detmers, making this a matter of if/when the Angels decide they’ve had enough,” Anderson wrote.

The trade makes more sense than one might think. Detmers has three seasons of team control remaining, and the Phillies are desperate for another reliever after losing José Alvarado to an 80-game PED suspension.

Although Alvarado can return this summer, he’s ineligible to pitch in the postseason. Every team, especially one with legitimate World Series hopes, needs a reliable lefty reliever in the postseason.

Phillies fans might be turned off by Detmers’ 6.85 ERA, but it’s important to note most of his problems came in a short period. Detmers allowed a staggering 12 runs and only recorded one out during a three-game stretch from April 30 through May 7.

2024 PitchingNinja Award for Crap-Your-Pants Curveball (called strike).

Winner: Reid Detmers pic.twitter.com/z9NcAFe1eD
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) November 21, 2024

Otherwise, Detmers has been solid in his new role. He opened the year posting a 2.57 ERA and 14-5 K-BB ratio in his first 14 relief innings. Then came the period that Detmers, and anyone who had him on their fantasy team, likely prefer to forget.

Detmers has allowed only one run over his last eight innings, striking out 11 and walking five.

At 25-30, the Angels likely won’t wave the white flag and look to 2026 just yet. However, if and when the Angels begin selling, don’t be surprised if Detmers finds a new home within the coming weeks.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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