Mets, Phillies Reportedly Will Target 'High-Leverage' Relievers at MLB Trade Deadline

The New York Mets came into Thursday with a five-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East, and how that race for the divisional crown shakes out could be determined by how both teams handle the MLB trade deadline.

Expect an arms race between the two teams as each looks to bolster its bullpen.

Jim Bowden of The Athletic reported that, "According to industry sources, both organizations are focused on high-leverage arms and will be chasing similar relievers."

For the Phillies, it's a dire need.

While Orion Kerkering has been solid and Matt Strahm and Tanner Banks have been generally decent, the rest of the team's bullpen is an absolute mess, led by erratic closer Jordan Romano (7.40 ERA, two blown saves in 10 attempts). The Phillies let quality relievers Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez walk in free agency and lost José Alvarado to an 80-game suspension this season, and the result has been a bullpen that is shades of calamitous.

New York's bullpen has been far better, and it's needs are mostly depth-related. As Will Sammon of The Athletic noted, "the need for a trustworthy late-inning lefty and another even slightly above-average right-handed reliever appeared worth addressing ahead of the trade deadline."

If nothing else, adding another high-leverage arm would keep him away from the Phillies as the two teams battle for the division. Two birds, one stone.