Phillies Rumors: Philadelphia Looking for Outside Help

Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel indicated that his team is looking for outside help, reports Matt Gelbof the Philadelphia Inquirer. While Gelb notes that Manuel wouldn’t elaborate on what type of help they are targeting, Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com says the Phillies skipper hinted that his club is looking to acquire relief help.

Manuel indicated the team is looking for outside help. Would not elaborate.

— Matt Gelb (@magelb) June 8, 2012

While the Phillies have several areas of need this season, none may be larger or more evident than their bullpen.

For all the bad press it gets, the Phillies offense ranks in the top-half of the majors in runs scored, slugging percentage and total bases. Though Roy Halladay is on the disabled list and Cliff Lee has yet to win a game this season, Phillies starters are fourth in the league in WHIP and have registered the third most quality starts.

Phillies relievers are a different story. Philadelphia’s ‘pen has combined for the fourth worst ERA in the majors (4.32) despite having thrown the third least innings of any club. Before last night’s win, the Phillies had lost six games in a row after holding leads in each contest.

The Phillies haven’t said what caliber of reliever they are seeking, but there are several late-inning options that are likely to be had this summer, including Brett Myers of the Houston Astros, Grant Balfour and Brian Fuentes of the Oakland Athletics, Huston Street of the San Diego Padres and Matt Capps of the Minnesota Twins.