The Philadelphia Phillies could use a left-handed bat at the trade deadline. A bullpen arm wouldn’t hurt either.

Much of the talk in baseball when it comes to bullpen arms has centered on Oakland flamethrower Mason Miller. The Phillies got a good look at the All-Star this past weekend when the Athletics came to town. He even hitched a ride with the Phillies to the All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas.

But he’s not the only reliever who could be on the trade market. There’s another who could be viable and just as effective.

Today in the US reported that the Phillies are “closely monitoring” Miami Marlins reliever Tanner Scott, a pitcher they know from NL East action. If the Phillies go this route, they’d get a more experienced arm — Miller is just a rookie — and likely pay less in return because Scott is a pending free agent.

Scott was also an All-Star and was in Arlington last week. The left-handed pitcher is having another solid season as the Marlins’ closer. He’s 6-5 with a 1.30 ERA, and if he were to maintain that ERA the rest of the season, it would be a career low. He also has 15 saves and is approaching his career high of 20 set in 2022.

This is his third year as the Marlins’ closer and he has 47 career saves to his name. Before that, he was with the Baltimore Orioles, who originally drafted him in 2014 and drafted him in 2017 to play middle reliever and setup man.

What a team gets out of Scott is swing-and-miss. In each of his previous two seasons, he struck out at least 12 batters every nine innings. This season, that percentage has dropped to nine. But he still strikes out more batters (46) than innings pitched (41.2).

If the Phillies have a hole to fill, it’s the back end of their bullpen. Among the Phillies who participated in the All-Star Game were relievers Matt Strahm and Jeff Hoffman.

With Craig Kimbrel in Baltimore, the closing role is primarily held by two pitchers.

Hoffman has had a few ninth-inning turns where he has been effective. He has completed nine of 12 save opportunities with a 1.09 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 41 innings.

It’s Jose Alvarado who worries the Phillies. Alvarado has been good, but not great. He’s converted 13 saves in 16 chances. He’s struck out 41 in 39.1 innings. But the most worrying thing is the ERA — 4.35.

If the Phillies feel they need at least one late-inning arm, Scott could be the answer. He’s been reliable all season, doesn’t give up many earned runs and has Hoffman’s strikeout efficiency.

The deadline for transactions is July 30.