The Philadelphia Phillies bolstered their bullpen just before MLB's 6 p.m. trade deadline on Tuesday, acquiring left-handed reliever Tanner Banks from the Chicago White Sox. In exchange, Philadelphia sent infield prospect William Bergolla, ranked 11th in the organization by MLB Pipeline, to Chicago.
Banks, 32, has appeared in 108 games for the White Sox over the past three seasons, showcasing particularly strong numbers against left-handed hitters. Throughout his career, he's limited lefties to a .605 OPS. This season, left-handed batters are hitting just .184 against him, striking out 28 times in 83 plate appearances.
In 2024, Banks has posted a 4.13 ERA across 48 innings, striking out 55 and walking 15, with an ERA+ of 102. His career ERA+ stands at 109, indicating consistent effectiveness.
In a separate move before the deadline, the Phillies traded Gregory Soto to the Baltimore Orioles for right-handed pitching prospects Seth Johnson and Moisés Chace. Johnson, ranked as the eighth-best prospect in the Orioles' system by MLB Pipeline, was optioned to the Reading Fightin Phils in Double-A.
Soto, who was acquired from the Detroit Tigers in 2023, has made 112 appearances for the Phillies, recording a 4.42 ERA with 109 strikeouts and 42 walks during his tenure.