The Phillies' Most Likely Solution to the Painter Problem
Andrew Painter's 2026 season has been a massive disappointment, and following yet another rough outing, the Phillies sent him back to Triple-A Allentown.
Painter lasted just two innings, allowing six runs on six hits while striking out three and walking two. The loss dropped his record to a dismal1-8 with a 7.06 ERA across 65 innings this season.
Whether Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski should have traded the once highly touted prospect, or whether the organization should have seen warning signs after Painter posted a 5-6 record with a 5.26 ERA in Triple-A last year, is open for debate. Regardless, this is where the Phillies find themselves — and it's far from an ideal situation.
The immediate reaction from fans is simple: "Trade for a starter. We're in a pennant race." I actually said it to myself last night.
The problem is that it may not be that easy.
For starters, there is a reason pitching trades rarely happen in mid-June. Most teams aren't looking to move starting pitching this early in the season, even back-end rotation arms. Clubs are still evaluating their own playoff chances, and few are willing to part with pitching before the trade market fully develops closer to the deadline.
Another problem is that the Phillies' farm system isn't exactly overflowing with trade chips. Whatever prospects they are willing to move closer to the deadline would be better spent addressing a more pressing need: acquiring a right-handed outfield bat following the loss of right fielder Adolis García.
Perhaps the biggest issue is that the Phillies would essentially be giving up prospects for a fifth starter who likely wouldn't even factor into a postseason rotation. In October, the Phillies will use a four man rotation, making it difficult to justify paying a premium for a pitcher whose role would be significantly reduced when it matters most.
Given the circumstances, the Phillies are likely to solve this problem one of two ways: either by using a bullpen game every fifth day or by turning to Alan Rangel, who is already on the 40-man roster, or veteran Bryse Wilson.
A bullpen game every fifth day sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. It may work as a short-term fix for a start or two, but relying on it over an extended period will cook the bullpen by late August.
Some fans have even suggested bringing back Taijuan Walker. Personally, I want absolutely nothing to do with that option.
Take it to the bank: the Phillies are going to turn to Rangel or Wilson. With the need for a right-handed outfield bat looming, they simply can't afford to burn any prospects on a temporary fifth-starter solution. Any trade assets they are willing to move will be reserved for addressing the outfield, making an internal option the most likely path forward.
