Reds rumors: Philadelphia Phillies interested in Tanner Roark

The Reds rumors are sure to be heating up over the next couple of days. The latest reports have the Philadelphia Phillies interested in Tanner Roark.

We’re bound to see more and more Reds rumors as the July 31st deadline inches closer. A report yesterday suggests that the Philadelphia Phillies are interested in starting pitcher Tanner Roark. With Roark in the final year of his deal, a trade for the right-hander may be in order.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that the Phillies are looking at Roark. Heyman suggests that  Philadelphia is in the market for a pitcher who is more than just a rental, but players like Trevor Bauer and Noah Syndergaard are going to come with a very high price tag.

What Roark could fetch is anyone’s guess. The 33-year-old has been a solid piece of the Cincinnati Reds rotation this season. Roark is 6-6 with a 3.95 ERA this season and may be just what the Phillies need to get over the hump in the National League East. Philadelphia currently trails the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals, but is just one game back of the final spot in the Wild Card.

With Alex Wood coming back this Sunday and Lucas Sims proving that he deserves a shot in the rotation, there may be no better time to open up a slot in the starting rotation. Tyler Mahle, who’s currently on the 10-day injured list, could also fill in Roark’s spot should the veteran be dealt before the deadline.

With a 46-55 record this late in the season, the Reds look to be running out of time. Cincinnati is 3-7 in their last 10 games and sit 8 games back in the NL Wild Card. While a game better than the floundering Pittsburgh Pirates, the Reds are 9 games back the division-leading Chicago Cubs.

The Reds were thought to be buyers earlier this summer, but a string of poor performances are likely to shift the front offices’ mindset. Players like Roark, Scooter Gennett, Yasiel Puig, and anyone that this team does not foresee as part of the long-term plan for the Reds should be up for grabs.

Could the Reds get a mid-level prospect for Roark? Probably. The Phillies have several players in their farm system who are likely to garner some attention. Philadelphia’s minor leagues are stacked with talented catching prospects and left-handed pitchers, both are areas of need for the Cincinnati Reds.

Tanner Roark, who was acquired this offseason from the Washington Nationals for Tanner Rainey, has been a nice compliment to Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray this season. However, if the Reds do not plan to re-sign him in the offseason, he should be dealt. We don’t want to see another Matt Harvey situation.

If the Reds do decide to hang onto Roark, I’m okay with that. I think Cincinnati could swing a 2-year/$25M deal for the right-hander and feel good about where their rotation is heading into 2020. But, that’s just me. We’ll see if the latest Reds rumors are true soon enough. There’s only one trade deadline this season and it’s approaching quickly.