The case for adding a reliever at the trade deadline

The Philadelphia Phillies bullpen entered Sunday’s game with the fourth best bullpen fWAR in the Majors at 3.7. They’ve been a top ten or top five unit for most of the season and have been the most consistent part of a team that has struggled with consistency. Craig Kimbrel has been dominant (Sunday’s hiccup aside), Jeff Hoffman has been a real find (again Sunday aside), Yunior Marte has shown flashes, and Gregory Soto has had great stretches separated by slumps.

Their bullpen depth has allowed them to weather the storm of various injuries to two of their best arms in Jose Alvarado and Seranthony Dominguez. Both have been on the injured list for extended periods this year and the Phillies…