The Philadelphia Phillies are in the midst of a red-hot battle with the New York Mets for the National League East crown, but are not without a few holes to fill if they hope to win their division, conference,

Less than a week before the trade deadline, there are two types of conversations between teams: exploratory and substantive. This might still fall into the first category. But the Phillies have talked to the Diamondbacks about Eugenio Suárez.

Diamondbacks All-Star third baseman Eugenio Suarez left Monday’s game against the Tigers after he was hit in the hand in the ninth inning by Detroit reliever Will Vest at Comerica Park. Suarez is hitting .247 this season with 36 home runs and a National League-leading 87 RBIs.