Reds pitcher Tyler Mahle rumored to be drawing trade interest from this NL East team

According to Jason Stark of The Athletic, the Philadelphia Phillies have backed off the idea of adding bullpen help at this year's trade deadline and have turned their attention to starting pitching.

Among the starters who've piqued the Phillies' interest is Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Tyler Mahle. The California native has started 19 games for Cincinnati this season and was on the hill Saturday for what might have been the final time in a Reds uniform.

These Reds rumors come with a caveat, as the Phillies may not be willing to part with some of their upper-tier prospects. If that's the case, Cincinnati is unlikely to swing a deal with Philadelphia.

Latest Reds rumors see RHP Tyler Mahle as a target of the Phillies.

Tyler Mahle might register as a close third behind Luis Castillo (who was traded to the Seattle Mariners) and Oakland Athletics' starting pitcher Frankie Montas. There are whispers of Miami Marlins' Pablo Lopez, Los Angeles Angels starter Noah Syndergaard, and San Francisco Giants' left-hander Carlos Rodon being available in a trade as well.

Regardless of how you slot the group of available starters at the trade deadline, Castillo's deal certainly upped the price tag. The Reds snagged two Top 100 prospects (Noelvi Marte and Edwin Arroyo) from the Mariners and any team with a viable starter will be looking for a similar type of return.

Tyler Mahle, just like Luis Castillo and Frankie Montas, will not become a free agent until after next season. Stark cites that as something that should be appealing to Philadelphia Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski. Matt Gelb of The Athletic suggests that if the Phillies are unwilling to include one of their top prospects, they'll be outbid for Mahle's services.

With these latest Reds rumors having revealed Philadelphia's interest in the Cincinnati starter, it's only going to increase the return for Mahle's services. There are other teams who've already voiced their interest in the right-hander, including the Minnesota Twins.