Phillies Trade Rumors: Luis Robert Jr. and Taylor Ward could emerge as top candidates ahead of the trade deadline

Baseball's best team this season, the Philadelphia Phillies (63-36), is in the market for an outfielder with multiple candidates emerging in the likes of Luis Robert Jr., and Taylor Ward. Miami Marlins' center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. was also on the list but MLB Insider Bob Nightengale dismissed this notion in his latest report.

According to Nightengale, the Phillies are no longer interested in Chisholm Jr., have halted their pursuit of going after Tommy Pham of the Chicago White Sox and don't believe Oakland Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker is the right fit either.

Earlier, Zach Pressnell mentioned the Phillies among the teams to be in active pursuit of the A's outfielder. Rooker, who is slashing .294/.372/.579 with 22 homers, is on a career year and could use a postseason-bound team like the Phillies. However, it seems the negotiations hit a snag.

Another name that has joined the rumors is Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. The outfielder is equipped with both power and speed. He is batting .227 with 11 home runs and 11 stolen bases on the season.

LA Angels' Taylor Ward can also be on the Phillies' radar, though it's yet not clear whether the Anaheim club would trade him.

Phillies could be on the lookout for a closer before trade deadline

Despite having a daunting eight-game lead over the second-placed Braves in their division, the Phillies have a major problem in their bullpen. Closer Jose Alvarado blew out another game, his third of the season, in Friday's 8-7 loss against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

However, it was his comments afterward that suggested rumors that the Phillies could trade for a high-leverage pitcher or a closer before the trade deadline.

"Things are not going the way I want to, but I feel good (physically)," Alvarado said. "Baseball is just like that. It's hard when you come into bigger moments and you lose the game, but that's the game.

"What I think is it's not about how we start, it's how we finish it. I've always had in my mind that it's how we finish. I'm just going through a rough time right now but I'll keep working and giving the best of myself and we'll see at the end of the year how it worked out for me."

Potential bullpen upgrades include Tanner Scott, Mason Miller and Ryan Pressly. However, the Phillies will face stiff competition from other AL teams like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros.