Aug 1, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Kyle Gibson (44) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia Phillies were a trade deadline puzzle right down to the final hours of Friday afternoon. Would they buy? Would they sell? Could they pull off a coup? Would anyone want what they had to offer?
Ultimately, the Phillies both underwhelmed and over-performed at the deadline. How is that possible? Because they’re the Phillies. For the last decade, they’ve lived in the middle, that’s how they manage to be really good and perplexingly bad every year since their last division title in 2011.