Bohm’s name has come up in trade rumors this offseason as the Phillies are looking to shake up their core. However, Thomson appeared on MLB Network on December 10 at the Winter Meetings and shot down the trade rumors.

“I know the rumors are flying all over the place,” Thomson said. “We’re not shopping him. People are approaching us on him, so you gotta listen. This guy has improved so much, not just physically, but mentally over the course of the year and the 3-4 years he’s been in the big leagues.

“(Infield coach) Bobby Dickerson, who (analyst Buck Showalter) knows very well, has done an unbelievable job with Alec, getting him to be better defensively, throwing accuracy, glove action,” Thomson added. “He’s a really good hitter because he does the things that I was talking about, not chasing, he does get good pitches to hit. He uses the entire field, he makes contact, that’s why he’s so good hitting behind Harper, because he’s gonna put the ball in play with runners in scoring position. He’s not gonna strike out. You can pretty much book an RBI if Alec is at the plate with less than two outs and runners in scoring position.”

Bohm has two years left of control before becoming a free agent after the 2026 season. Last season with the Phillies, the star third baseman hit .280 with 15 home runs and 97 RBIs.

Insider Mentioned Phillies’ Bohm as Trade Candidate

Bohm’s name came up in trade rumors by several MLB insiders this offseason, but Thomson says that isn’t the case.

The Athletic’s MLB insider Ken Rosenthal has mentioned Bohm as a trade candidate. The insider even linked Bohm to the A’s on December 9.

“Third base is another area of need for the A’s. The Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm and New York Mets’ Brett Baty are among the players at that position available in trade. The A’s also could consider internal options such as Brett Harris, Max Schuemann and prospect Max Muncy, their first-round pick in 2021,” Rosenthal wrote.

However, the Phillies have made it clear that Bohm will be part of their team in 2025. With that, Philadelphia can pencil Bohm in as their starting third baseman on Opening Day.

Phillies Focused on Getting Better

Philadelphia did make its first major move of the offseason signing All-Star closer Jordan Romano to a one-year deal.

Romano was non-tendered by the Toronto Blue Jays. The Phillies quickly snatched him up on the one-year $8.5 million deal. The closer dealt with an elbow injury last season, but Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski says the team is fine with where Romano is at.

As for the rest of the offseason, Dombrowski says he’s just focused on making the team better.

“I’m not sure what else I would say is our priority, other than to get better,” Dombrowski said. “You’re always looking to get better and to improve yourself. But, if you told me that we went in with the same players we have right now, I still think we have a good offensive club. We’re not going to force things to happen, to just get them done.”

The Phillies lost in the NLDS to the New York Mets in 2024.

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Holmes is the former New York Yankees closer, but he lost the job just before the playoffs. However, in the playoffs, he excelled as a set-up man which helped boost his free-agent status.

Now, Michael Seitz of TWSN.net has the Phillies signing the All-Star reliever from the Yankees.

​”Holmes had his struggles this season but still gutted his way to a 3.14 ERA and recorded 30 saves for the AL-best New York Yankees,” Seitz wrote. “Holmes completely transformed himself following the move to New York at the 2021 trade deadline and has become one of the most sought-after relief arms in this class. The list of suitors could include the entirety of both the AL and NL East divisions along with the top-end of the NL Central. While it is difficult to see Holmes anywhere but New York, a departure from the Bronx appears more likely by the day.

“​My Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies.”

Holmes could compete for the Phillies closer role in 2025 as Carlos Estevez who held the role last season is also a free agent. But, even if he doesn’t win the closer’s role, Holmes would be a significant reliever late in games for the Phillies.

Holmes went 3-5 with a 3.41 ERA last season with the Yankees.

Holmes Predicted to Get a Multi-Year Deal

Even though Holmes lost his closer’s job, he still is one of the top free agents available and one of the top relievers available.

In the MLBTradeRumors free agent predictions article, they have Holmes signing a three-year $30 million deal in free agency.

“Holmes will turn 32 just prior to Opening Day next year. Age, paired with an uncharacteristically shaky showing in save settings, won’t do his earning potential any favors,” the article read. “There are some parallels with Taylor Rogers, another closer with a nice track record who experienced some out-of-character struggles in his platform year despite maintaining terrific rate stats.

“Rogers got three years and $33MM from the Giants (the same figure given to Robert Stephenson based on three-quarters of a season of dominance last winter),” the article added. “A three-year pact should still be there for Holmes, though it seems unlikely to come from the Yankees after his tumultuous season. Other big-money clubs with needs in the bullpen will be interested, though.”

Holmes was an All-Star in 2022 and 2024.

Phillies Focused on Adding to Bullpen

Philadelphia has key relievers Jeff Hoffman and Estevez as free agents who were impact relievers for the Phillies.

With Philadelphia having two key relievers as free agents, Phillies general manager Dave Dombrowski says they will look to add at least one reliever.

“One more for sure,” Dombrowski said. “I don’t think we’d have to have five. We like Banks. We think he can step up and pitch some more innings for us. And sometimes those answers come internally too. We have some arms that we like.”

Philadelphia does have a bullpen core that includes Orion Kerkering, Matt Strahm, and José Alvarado who are all under contract in 2025.

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Soto is the top free agent available and he has several teams interested in him. Although some executives expect him to sign with either the New York Yankees or New York Mets, MLB insider Mark Feinsand of MLB.com says the Phillies plan to take a shot at Soto.

According to Feinsand, sources told him the fact there are a couple former teammates and coaches of Soto’s from Washington in Philadelphia could help land him.

“Word is that Soto prefers to stay on the East Coast, which would be an obstacle for the Dodgers or any other West Coast club,” Feinsand wrote in his article. “The Phillies will likely take a shot at the four-time All-Star, a source said, hoping the presence of former Nationals teammates Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Kyle Schwarber and hitting coach Kevin Long could work to their advantage.”

Soto was part of the Nationals team that won the World Series that featured Turner, while he also played with Harper and Schwarber. Due to the chemistry with them, Feinsand thinks Soto could end up going back to the NL and signing with the Phillies.

What Will Soto Get in Free Agency?

Soto is the top free agent available and is only 26 years old.

Given the fact that Soto is only 26, he will be in line for a massive contract. In The Athletic’s contract projections for the top free agents, they have Soto signing a 15-year $622 million deal.

“By all indications, he’s poised to become the second-highest-paid player in baseball history, behind only Shohei Ohtani,” the article read. “He’s a generational talent who will hit free agency at only 26 and should be able to land a 15-year deal. Most executives believe he’ll end up somewhere between $550 million and $650 million, which will probably limit his market to both New York teams and possibly the Blue Jays. Other teams such as the Dodgers, Phillies, Rangers, and Nationals also could emerge for Soto.”

Soto is likely to get upwards of $600 million on a deal exceeding 10 years.

Phillies Are ‘Open-Minded’ in Offseason

Philadelphia is coming off a postseason loss to the New York Mets.

The Phillies, on paper, have one of the best rosters in baseball. With that, general manager Dave Dombroski says the team has an open mind about what they will accomplish this offseason.

“I think we’re (more) open-minded than we have been in other years,” Dombroski said.

Dombroski also says the ownership has allowed him to pursue the top free agents available, like Soto.

“Our ownership allows us to do a lot of things,” Dombrowski said. “But sometimes that’s not what you want. We have a lot of good star players on our team. So, read that as you would.”

Adding Soto to the Phillies lineup would be massive. Soto could hit right after Schwarber and Turner and before Harper which would be one of the best lineups in baseball. However, it’s uncertain if the Phillies interest in Soto is serious.

Soto hit .288 with 41 home runs and 109 RBIs in 157 games with the Yankees last season.

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On October 24, The Athletic’s Jim Bowden shared thoughts on potential landing spots and contract predictions for 45 MLB players who could become free agents this winter. He named the Phillies among the “best team fits” for the 2019 National League MVP Award winner. They were joined by eight other clubs, though. This includes the Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Angels, Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals.

Bellinger spent his 2024 season with the Cubs. He hit .266/.325/.426 with 18 home runs, 23 doubles, 78 RBI and 72 runs scored. Bowden is predicting the left-handed slugger will sign a four-year, $112 million deal in free agency.

Cody Bellinger Would Fit the Phillies’ Needs Perfectly

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski made it clear during his end-of-season press conference that the organization will be open-minded to improve the roster.

“I do think it’s a club capable of winning a world championship,” he said, via MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. “You’re also open-minded to making adjustments. I think that’s a necessity. You want to get better. You’re never happy unless you win the whole thing. We didn’t win the whole thing. I think we have a real good core of players, but I think we’ll be open-minded to make our club better. That’s really our goal.”

One area where the Phillies could improve is the outfield. Overall, this group produced a 97 wRC+ on offense. That ranked 18th in baseball, according to FanGraphs. Center field was the biggest problem. Brandon Marsh, Johan Rojas, Cal Stevenson and Cristian Pache collectively produced an 80 wRC+, tied for MLB’s sixth-worst mark.

Bowden said Bellinger’s offense has also been inconsistent in recent years. However, he noted that his ability to play solid defense at all three outfield spots and first base helps his value on the open market.

Will Cody Bellinger Opt out of His Current Contract?

Before Bellinger can start getting courted by interested teams, he’ll first have to opt out of his current deal. After winning a Silver Slugger Award in 2023 with Chicago, the Scott Boras client entered free agency looking for a big payday.

They were looking for “a package well over $200 million,” according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers. That never came to fruition, and the outfielder eventually signed a three-year, $80 million deal to remain with the Cubs. His deal includes an opportunity to opt out each of the next two years, per Spotrac.

What’s going through Bellinger’s mind regarding this decision? He was unsure about re-entering free agency as recently as September 27. “I honestly haven’t (made a decision),” Bellinger told the Chicago Tribune. “You think about it, but at the end of the day, I haven’t really even sat down with my wife and talked about it. And during the season, you just focus on playing, at least for me. I wake up and I’m going to go out and play, and that’s what I focus on. … I honestly have no idea ….

“For me, if I feel like I have a decision, I’ll probably wait on it, see if I still feel it, just really feel it out and trust my gut, trust people around me. It’s a privilege, so I’m going to do it with joy and see what happens.”

A lot has probably transpired since he made those comments. However, it’s worth noting that Bellinger wasn’t entering the offseason with his mind already made up like third baseman Matt Chapman was before he signed an extension with the Giants.

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Dylan Sanders of SI.com thinks it’s something the Phillies should consider. He also doesn’t believe third baseman Alec Bohm should be off-limits. Here’s the proposed trade he put together:

• Phillies receive: outfielder Kyle Tucker
• Astros receive: third baseman Alec Bohm, right-handed pitcher Andrew Painter and outfielder/first baseman Carlos De La Cruz

This hypothetical deal would send a 2024 All-Star to Houston, as well as Philly’s second and 25th-ranked prospects, per MLB.com. Of course, this only makes sense if long-time Houston third baseman Alex Bregman signs elsewhere in free agency.

Tucker was named an All-Star for the third straight year in 2024 but was limited to 78 games because of injury. He was still incredibly productive across 339 plate appearances for the Astros. The outfielder slashed .289/.408/.585 with 23 home runs, 49 RBI and 56 runs scored. He earned $12 million last year and is projected to get $15.8 million via arbitration this winter.

Kyle Tucker Would Be a Long-Term Fit for the Phillies

The 2025 season will be Tucker’s last year of arbitration, as he’s scheduled to become a free agent next offseason. It’s undetermined if he’ll stay in Houston long-term. So, he’ll likely be the subject of trade rumors until he signs a multi-year deal.

This is not the first time Philadelphia has been linked to the three-time All-Star. He’d fit into the club’s outfield mix nicely, and Dombrowski would likely have no problem giving him the lucrative contract he’ll be looking for on the open market. Spotrac projects the market value for his next contract at seven years and $195 million.

FanGraphs’ Roster Resource lists the Phillies’ starting outfield as Austin Hays in left field, Brandon Marsh in center field and Nick Castellanos in right field. Johan Rojas also played center field throughout 2024. The Phillies’ outfield offense was subpar overall last season. They produced a 97 wRC+, which ranked 18th in baseball, per FanGraphs.

So, the soon-to-be 28-year-old would be a huge upgrade for the Phils in 2025 and into the immediate future.

Could Tucker Be Part of an Offseason Roster Makeover in Philly?

The Phillies reached the World Series in 2022. They were one win away from returning to the Fall Classic in 2023. This past season fell short of expectations as the Mets eliminated them in the NLDS. While the club is seemingly still built to win, could president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski make radical changes to the roster this winter?

“To me, the answer is not the missing piece,” Dombrowski said during his end-of-season press conference, via MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. “The answer is playing well at the right time. I don’t think there’s any secret formula. I take my responsibilities. I’m sure Rob Thomson takes his responsibilities. But sometimes you play well and sometimes you don’t.”

Despite saying that, he’ll be interested in exploring ways to improve his club, which might involve some tough decisions.

“I mean, the reality is, we have a lot of good players,” he said. “I think we just have to be open-minded to exploring what’s out there for us, talk to some clubs and see what ends up happening. That process hasn’t started. Sometimes you trade good players for good players.”

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Dombrowski chose his words carefully during an end-of-season press conference following Philly’s NLDS exit at the hands of the New York Mets.

“We like Ranger a lot,” Dombrowski said, via Destiny Lugardo of Phillies Nation. “We liked the Ranger of the first half of the season better than the second half. There was a lot that was involved in that from his own perspective, but he’s a good pitcher. We’re all very open-minded to having Ranger in the organization for a long time.”

The 2024 season was Suarez’s third straight year exclusively pitching out of the starting rotation. He earned his first All-Star Game selection while posting career-best marks in ERA (3.46) and strikeouts (145) in 150.2 innings. The southpaw earned $5.05 million this past season. Spotrac is estimating a $11.3 million salary for him in 2025, which would be a 123% raise.

Ranger Suarez Had Two Seasons in One for the Phillies in 2024

Suarez’s 2024 campaign was very different when comparing his first-half performance to what he did following the midsummer classic. He went 10-4 with a 2.76 ERA through his first 114 innings before posting a 5.65 ERA over his final 36.2 frames.

It was even more drastic when comparing his first two months to the rest of the season. Suarez compiled 72 innings through the end of May. He produced a 10-1 record with a 1.75 ERA and 77 strikeouts within that period. Opposing hitters posted just a .497 OPS against him.

The southpaw couldn’t keep that pace down the stretch and spent time on the injured list with back issues. After posting a 3.48 ERA through 31 innings in June, Suarez failed to post an ERA below 5.00 in any of the final three months of the regular season, per Baseball-Reference.

The Phillies Love Having Ranger Suarez in the Postseason

Suarez was the NLDS Game 4 starter for Philly, a contest the Mets ultimately won to eliminate them from the postseason. Although he didn’t last long, the lefty did all he could to give his squad a chance to win. He allowed five hits and four walks across 4.1 innings. However, he also struck out eight hitters without allowing a run in his appearance.

The 29-year-old has gotten a lot of postseason experience over the past three years with Philly. He’s proven to be quite effective on the game’s biggest stage. He’s accumulated 37.2 career postseason innings, resulting in a 1.43 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 40 strikeouts. That kind of production during high-stress situations isn’t easy to come by.

If the Phillies and Suarez don’t agree to an extension this winter, what kind of payday could the lefty be playing for in 2025? Spotrac’s current market-value projection for him settles in at five years and just shy of $95 million. Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter thinks his next deal could land in the $70-80 million range.

That’s likely because of the struggles he experienced following a torrid start in 2024. If he finds more consistency in 2025 without signing an extension this winter, his next deal could approach the $100 million plateau.

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Is his 11-year, $300 million contract destined to become a “nightmare” within the next couple of seasons? Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer picked one contract for every MLB team that will look horrible once 2026 rolls around. He’s predicting that Turner’s big-money deal will soon become a headache for Philadelphia.

“Turner was indeed still an elite runner this year, but only in relation to his peers. By his standards, his average sprint of 29.6 feet per second marked a new low,” Rymer said. “Turner still has a pretty good bat if you take away his speed, but he’s suddenly struggling to hit fastballs and he seems to be past his peak power. Per Outs Above Average, the same is true of his defense at shortstop. This season ended up being a solid one for Turner despite these things, but it was far from his best. And if his skills continue to degrade, his best will become more of a distant memory.”

A Look at Trea Turner’s Second Season With the Phillies

Turner’s 2024 regular season in Philadelphia consisted of just 121 games because of an extended stint on the injured list. Despite that, his production was just as good (if not better in some spots) than it was the year before.

The shortstop had to dig himself out of a very slow start in 2023. However, his performance was still worth 4.2 WAR, according to FanGraphs. It included a career-high 150 strikeouts and a 108 wRC+ that hadn’t been that low since 2018 (105). But he also slugged 26 home runs with 76 RBI, 102 runs scored and 30 steals in 155 games.

This past season, Turner decreased his strikeout rate from 21.7% to 18.2%. He also posted a 124 wRC+ with 21 homers, 62 RBI, 88 runs scored and 19 steals in 152 fewer plate appearances compared to 2023. His overall value settled in at 3.9 WAR.

Those are solid numbers, but are we already watching the 31-year-old’s performance decline? He posted a career-high 7.1 WAR in 2021 while splitting time with the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers. That number has decreased each year since (6.4 in 2022, 4.2 in 2023 and 3.9 in 2024).

The Phillies Need Trea Turner to Show up in the Postseason

Philadelphia posted a 95-67 record during the regular season, capturing the organization’s first National League East division title since 2011. But after coming into 2024 with championship aspirations, this year will ultimately be viewed as a failure after a premature exit in October.

There is an interesting trend forming after two years of Turner playing postseason baseball for the Phillies. Philly moves on to the next round when he produces at the plate and they get eliminated when he doesn’t.

Turner posted an OPS of at least 1.400 in the Phillies’ Wild Card Series victory over the Miami Marlins and their NLDS win over the Atlanta Braves in 2023. But as they were eliminated by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2023 NLCS, he struggled to a .636 OPS. The same thing happened during the club’s 2024 NLDS loss to the Mets – he slashed .200/.294/.200 in 17 plate appearances.

The chances of Turner being the player he was in 2021 and 2022 aren’t high as he’s now in his early 30s. However, Philadelphia will also hope his monster contract won’t weigh the payroll down within the next couple of years.

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At risk of making too much out of a small sample, Wilson loudly made his case for more playing time on Thursday night, becoming the 10th Phillies player ever and the franchise’s first rookie to hit for the cycle.

He joins Wyatt Langford of the Texas Rangers as the second rookie to accomplish the feat this year.

It’s especially meaningful for Wilson, who spent seven seasons in the minor leagues, compiling nearly 3,000 plate appearances.

“I think it’s a testament to perseverance, staying with everything,” Wilson said, per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. “It hasn’t been easy, but last year against them was my first game. To have that moment last year and this one, it’s really cool.”

Wilson got the start in left field Thursday with Brandon Marsh starting the game on the bench against a lefty pitcher.

“It’s honestly kind of a blur to me right now,” Wilson said. “I’m just trying to process everything.”

Weston Wilson: Anatomy of a Cycle

Wilson’s cycle was historic, though unconventional.

His fourth-inning triple came on a fly ball to right that caromed off the wall and bounded back toward the infield. Wilson explained, however, that the lights on the outfield scoreboard obstructed his view and he didn’t realize he had the opportunity to take third.

“That’s kind of why I had a trip up around second base and almost ate it a little bit,” Wilson explained.

He stumbled but made it to third to complete the hardest part of the cycle.

Later that inning, Wilson’s single was even weirder. It came on an infield pop-up that Nationals second baseman Luis Garcia Jr. let fall. By the time Garcia corralled the ball, Wilson was already crossing first base.

“Honestly, I don’t know how I hit it,” Wilson said. “It blew me up. I probably hit that ball 50 mph off the bat.”

Wilson actually over-sold the exit velocity. He hit the ball 43.1 mph.

Rob Thomson Needs to Juggle the Lineup

There’s no way around it: Marsh has taken a significant step back at the plate over the past couple months, especially from a 2023 season where he hit .277 with a 125 OPS+. With 12 hits in 74 at bats since the All-Star break, Marsh is down to .239 with a 99 OPS+ on the season. His strikeout rate in August has ballooned to 40%.

Compare that to April of this season, where he hit .276 with an .817 OPS.

“I’d like to get to April Marsh,” he told Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I like April Marsh. I just feel like a bad dude in April; I’ve got to get back to feeling like a bad, bad dude.”

With the Phillies up seven games in the National League East, manager Rob Thomson can exercise patience with Marsh. At the same time, Wilson is commanding more at bats and deadline acquisition Austin Hays is working his way back to the lineup. Thomson will soon have more options than he does playing time.

Hays, who started the year with the Orioles, last played August 7, but he doesn’t expect his hamstring injury to keep him out much longer.

“It’s not going to take a long time to build back up,” he said, per South Philly Review. “I’m expecting it to be a short time.”

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So trading for centerfielder Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox could give Philadelphia a boost before a potential deep postseason, according to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden.

In his July 25 story on “deadline trades I’d like to see,” Bowden pitched a three-player deal that would land Robert with the Phillies:

• Phillies receive: centerfielder Luis Robert Jr.
• White Sox receive: centerfielder Justin Crawford and right-handed pitcher Mick Abel

“I know Phillies fans will be screaming not to include Crawford, a first-round draft pick in 2022 out of high school, who has already reached Double A,” Bowden wrote. “However, Robert is a better overall player with much more power and could be the final big piece that helps the Phillies win the World Series this year.”

Crawford, the Phillies’ first-round pick out of high school in 2022, is the organization’s No. 3 prospect. Meanwhile, Abel, the Phillies’ No. 5 prospect, is currently in Triple-A.

Phillies Outfield Struggles

The Phillies’ outfield — Nick Castellanos, Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas — have combined for a -0.9 wins above average, ranking them 19th in the majors through July 24.

Robert would instantly upgrade the Phillies’ center field position, which is ranked 26th in OPS. Rojas has a slightly higher batting average (.231) than Robert (.227), but Robert has outperformed Rojas in every other meaningful offensive statistic and tops him in wins above replacement (1.2 to 0.4).

Ultimately, the Phillies outfield have lacked consistency from their outfield. Castellanos, a 2023 All-Star, was struggling but is starting to heat up, raising his average from .231 to .242 this month. Marsh is slashing .251/.330/.417, but July has not been kind to him — just seven hits in his last 43 at-bats. Castellanos has failed to match the numbers he put up as an All-Star in 2023. Rojas played in just 59 games last season but held a .302 average.

Marsh has a 110 OPS+ this season and is the best outfielder the Phillies have by that metric. Robert has a 116 OPS+, instantly making him the best of the Phillies outfielders in that regard. He has a .265/.333/.456 slash line in July.

With Marsh in left field and a heating up Castellanos in right field, the Phillies outfield would be set for a deep run. Rojas would serve as a fourth option.

Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations, has shown he is not scared to make some big trades. This season may be another opportunity to add to that list of deals.

Robert’s Trade Market

Robert signed a six-year, $50 million contract extension with the White Sox in 2020 before even making his big league debut. However, the once No. 3 prospect in baseball has struggled with staying healthy. He has been placed on the injured list seven times since making his MLB debut in 2020. This season, Robert went on the injured list on April 6 with a right hip flexor strain.

Robert played over 100 games for the first time in his career last season. In 2023, he slashed .264/.315/.542, hitting 38 home runs and winning his first career Silver Slugger. Robert returned to the lineup on June 4. Since his return, he has 10 home runs and a .780 OPS.

Robert would demand a significant trade package as he is signed through next season and has club options in 2026 and 2027.

“The White Sox would ask for shortstop Aidan Miller straight up and the Phillies would decline. They’d then ask for right-hander Andrew Painter, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, to be in the deal and again would be turned down,” wrote Bowden. “However, a deal for Crawford and Abel should be able to get done.”

Robert would like to remain in Chicago but understands that he could be moved, and will continue to focus on baseball regardless of any trade, according to MLB.com’s Scott Merkin.

“Everybody has been texting me, asking me about that, all those rumors,” Robert said through interpreter Billy Russo on June 8. “This is nothing I can control. I would like to stay here, but if the team decided otherwise, I have to keep playing baseball. If it’s here or not, I have to do what I have to do.”

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Rymer proposed this player swap that brings Skubal to Philadelphia:

• Phillies receive: left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal
• Tigers receive: outfielder Justin Crawford, right-handed pitcher Andrew Painter and third baseman Aidan Miller

“The phrase ‘Herschel Walker trade’ gets thrown around a lot, but this is a Herschel Walker trade,” wrote Rymer. “In this package are the Phillies’ three best prospects, whose total surplus value comes out to $102.5 million. A Skubal-sized sum, in other words.”

Rymer noted that Skubal is estimated to have $105.9 million in surplus value according to Baseball Trade Values. Painter, Miller and Crawford are the Phillies No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 prospects respectively.

Phillies Part With Their Top 3 Prospects in Proposal

“A Tarik Skubal trade makes sense only if the Tigers obtain *multiple players* seen as future All-Stars,” Morosi wrote on X on July 17. “The Padres met this standard in their 2022 deal for Juan Soto & Josh Bell: CJ Abrams, James Wood, MacKenzie Gore, Robert Hassell III, Jarlin Susana & Luke Voit.”

In Rymer’s proposal, the Phillies would send their top three prospects to the Tigers. Not only are they the Phillies’ top prospects, but all three are on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects list. Painter is the No. 19 overall prospect, Miller is No. 26 and Crawford is No. 54.

Rymer noted that unloading the farm system shouldn’t be ruled out while the World Series window is wide open. The Phillies have the best record in MLB at 64-37.

“The Phillies acquiring Skubal would be the ultimate case of president of baseball operations David Dombrowski leaving nothing to chance,” wrote Rymer. “He loves star players, and adding another one to this roster would only make the Phillies even more of a favorite to win it all.”

Skubal Could Strengthen an Already Great Rotation

“Skubal would be a game-changer for so many teams,” a National League executive said, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. “I’m not sure why the Tigers would trade him, but if they do, they’re going to get a haul in return.”

Skubal is having a career year. He has an American League-best 2.34 ERA, is tied for the second-most strikeouts in the American League (146) and was named an All-Star for the first time this year.

“His claim to the throne of Best Pitcher in Baseball is strong indeed. Between the 20 starts he’s made in 2024 and the 15 starts he made in 2023, he’s on a 35-start run marked by a league-best 2.52 ERA and 6.9 times as many strikeouts as walks over 203.1 innings,” wrote Rymer. “What’s under the hood looks just as good. It’s especially hard to not be a fan of Skubal’s fastball, which touches 100 mph, and changeup, which comes with a 47.0 whiff rate.”

The Phillies rotation is already the best in baseball in terms of ERA. Their starters have a league-best 3.20 ERA this season. As a team, the Phillies are No. 2 in ERA, trailing the Seattle Mariners by the thinnest of margins.

The Phillies had three members of their rotation named to the All-Star game. Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez and Ranger Suárez all earned All-Star honors. Skubal would bring a fourth All-Star to the Phillies rotation.

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Perrault proposed this trade that sends Robert from Chicago to Philadelphia:

• Phillies acquire: centerfielder Luis Robert Jr.
• White Sox receive: right-handed pitcher Andrew Painter and outfielder Justin Crawford

Painter and Crawford are the No. 1 and No. 3 prospects, respectively, in the organization. Both are also on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list. Painter is No. 19 and Crawford is No. 55. Perrault noted that to get a player like Robert the Phillies would need to give up a substantial amount.

“You’re going to have to give up top talent if you want to get somebody like Robert in return,” said Perrault.

Phillies Outfield Struggles

The Phillies rank No. 24 in OPS from center fielders this season. The team’s primary center fielder has been Johan Rojas. He has a .231 batting average this season, but he isn’t the only struggling outfielder. Nick Castellanos is hitting at a .233 clip. Brandon Marsh has been the lone bright spot in the group.

Marsh is slashing .263/.344/.436. His numbers are not far off from his 2023 season. Castellanos has failed to match the numbers he put up as an All-Star in 2023. Rojas played in just 59 games last season but held a .302 average. The Phillies could definitely use an upgrade at either one of their spots.

Marsh has a 120 OPS+ this season and is the best outfielder the Phillies have by that metric. Robert has a 124 OPS+, instantly making him the best of the Phillies outfielders in that regard. He has a .900 OPS in July.

Robert’s Trade Market

Robert signed a six-year, $50 million contract extension with the White Sox in 2020 before even making his big league debut. However, the once No. 3 prospect in baseball has struggled with staying healthy. He has been placed on the injured list seven times since making his MLB debut in 2020. This season, Robert went on the injured list on April 6 with a right hip flexor strain.

Robert played over 100 games for the first time in his career last season. In 2023, he slashed .264/.315/.542, hitting 38 home runs and winning his first career Silver Slugger. Robert returned to the lineup on June 4. Since his return, he has 9 home runs and a .815 OPS.

Robert would demand a significant trade package as he is signed through next season and has club options in 2026 and 2027. He will be a marquee player available at the deadline, drawing interest from many teams.

Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations, has shown he is not scared to make some big trades. This season may be another opportunity to add to that list of deals.

Perrault noted that the Phillies “need to capitalize” on their recent success, especially this season. With the likes of Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto returning soon, adding Robert to the mix could make the Phillies even stronger.

Robert would like to remain in Chicago but understands that he could be moved, and will continue to focus on baseball regardless of any trade, according to MLB.com’s Scott Merkin.

“Everybody has been texting me, asking me about that, all those rumors,” Robert said through interpreter Billy Russo on June 8. “This is nothing I can control. I would like to stay here, but if the team decided otherwise, I have to keep playing baseball. If it’s here or not, I have to do what I have to do.”

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“I think the Philadelphia Phillies and Dave Dombrowski are absolutely determined to make sure that they land at least one solid big bat, an outfield option that’s going to be batting from the right side,” said Ward. “Enter Brent Rooker, who is 100 percent going to be traded with peak value by the Oakland A’s. Rooker’s having a fantastic season.”

The Phillies rank No. 24 in OPS from center fielders this season. Rooker is not known for his defense but can play left field. Acquiring Rooker would allow Brandon Marsh, the lone bright spot in the Phillies outfield, to move to center field.

Phillies Outfield Struggles

Marsh is slashing .263/.344/.436. His numbers are not far off from his 2023 season. However, the team has not seen the production they had hoped for from their primary outfielders. Nick Castellanos and Johan Rojas have struggled this season with batting averages of .233 and .231, respectively.

Castellanos has failed to match the numbers he put up as an All-Star in 2023. Rojas played in just 59 games last season but held a .302 average. The Phillies could definitely use an upgrade at either one of their spots.

Marsh has a 120 OPS+ this season and is the best outfielder the Phillies have by that metric. Rooker’s OPS+ is 169 this season. Not only would that rank first among their starting outfielders, but it would rank second on the team, behind only Bryce Harper.

Castellanos and Rojas rank eighth and ninth in OPS+ among the primary starters on the Phillies.

Rooker’s Fit on the Phillies

Rooker was named an All-Star in 2023 with 30 home runs, a .817 OPS and 69 RBIs. Last season he had a .246 batting average and a 127 OPS+ in 137 games. This season he has raised his average to .291 and already has 21 home runs.

Rooker primarily serves as a DH on the A’s, but the Phillies have Kyle Schwarber occupying that role.

“While he’s far from a huge upside on the defensive end, you definitely are going to take whatever you can get if you’re the Phillies,” Ward said about Rooker.

With Rooker, Marsh would likely move to center field. He has made 225 starts at the position. That would leave Castellanos in right field. The Phillies could remain patient there, or potentially trade for multiple outfielders.

Rooker could bring another big bat to Philadelphia and play for a winning organization for the first time in his career. Dombrowski, president of baseball operations, has shown he is not scared to make some big trades. This season may be another opportunity to add to that list of deals.

The team “is keeping a close eye” on Rooker ahead of the trade deadline, according to USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale in a July 7 story.

Rooker is making $750,000 this season, his final pre-arbitration year. The All-Star will be arbitration-eligible for the next three seasons. He could not only be a key piece this season, but part of the Phillies’ future as well.

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Here’s the deal Miller proposed:

Philadelphia sends 3B/SS Aidan Miller, C Eduardo Tait and LHP Samuel Aldegheri to Chicago White Sox for Luis Robert Jr.

Johan Rojas and Cristian Pache have a combined 92 games played in center this season, and neither has produced offensively. Rojas has 17 stolen bases, which is good for top-10 in the National League. That’s made more impressive by a 60 OPS+ and .271 OBP that has resulted in precious few opportunities for him to tear up the base paths.

As for Pache, he’s hitting .196 in 92 at bats without a home run and an OPS+ of 59.

Robert, even with a .220 batting average, would be an instant, massive improvement over both. He also has 11 homers and a 119 OPS+ and that’s in a down year at the plate. He was an All-Star in 2023, socking 38 long balls with a .264 batting average.

What a Luis Robert Jr. Trade Would Cost the Phillies

A lot. Robert has three more years of team control if his team wants it — $15 million due next year with a pair of $20 million club options after that. That’s not a cheap price tag by any stretch, but it could be worth it if Robert continues to produce.

Aidan Miller, Tait, and Aldegheri are all top-25 prospects in the Phillies’ system, with Miller ranked second, per MLB.com. That’s a significant price to pay, but Aldegheri is the only one playing above A-ball right now. He’s in AA and MLB.com puts him at a 2026 estimate to break into the majors. Miller (A+) and Tait (Rookie) are both several years off, making them inherently riskier gambles.

After succeeding at every level of the minors he faced last year and earlier this year, Miller is struggling to start in high-A Jersey Shore. In 21 games, he’s hitting below .200. Still, he was the Phillies’ first-round pick last year and just turned 20.

Tait is even younger at 17 and is a catcher hitting above .300 in the Florida Complex League. Aldegheri is on the AA Reading roster but hasn’t pitched for them yet. He’s a lefty starter who had a 3.18 ERA in high-A.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. Is Another Centerfield Option for the Phillies

If the Phillies can’t work something out for Robert, Jazz Chisholm is the other candidate Miller floated in his story. Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reported earlier this week that “there is a growing belief Chisholm will be traded” by the deadline.

Chisholm has two more years of arbitration that would take him through his age 28 season and Miami is paying him just $2.625 million for the best year of his career in 2024. In 90 games, Chisholm is hitting .255 with 12 home runs and 18 stolen bases. He’s primarily a centerfielder, but also has 200 combined games played at second base and shortstop.

“Believe it or not this is the first time there has been genuine interest in Chisholm as injuries, and his personality have kept other clubs wondering what they would be getting in return,” Mish said in his report. “It looks like Miami is very much listening, and he could certainly help a team in need with his power/speed combination.”

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The Phillies are 26th in OPS from center field this season. Johan Rojas has been the primary centerfielder for the team this season. He has a .563 OPS in 228 plate appearances through July 10.

Bellinger would bring another former MVP to the Phillies, joining first baseman Bryce Harper. However, Bellinger exited the Cubs’ July 10 matchup with the Baltimore Orioles after being hit on the finger by a pitch. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers noted that his injury could “complicate his trade market.”

“Cubs Triple-A OF Alexander Canario is headed to Baltimore today which could mean bad news for Cody Bellinger,” Rogers wrote on X. “He left the game last night after getting hit on the finger by a pitch. Bellinger isn’t having a huge season but would still be a loss and perhaps complicate his trade market???”

Phillies Outfield Struggles

The Phillies have not seen the production they had hoped for from their primary outfielders. Nick Castellanos and Rojas have struggled this season, both carrying a .234 batting average through July 10.

Castellanos has failed to match the numbers he put up as an All-Star in 2023. Rojas played in just 59 games last season but held a .302 average. The Phillies could definitely use an upgrade at either one of their spots.

Brandon Marsh has been the lone bright spot in the Phillies outfield. Marsh has a .268/.350/.429 slash line with a 120 OPS+. The Phillies will be looking to add one of many available centerfielders to give him some help in the outfield.

Bellinger is slashing .269/.331/.410 in 79 games this season. His 107 OPS+ is better than both Castellanos’ and Rojas’.

Bellinger Has a 3-Year Deal

Bellinger signed a three-year, $80 million deal with the Cubs before the season. Bellinger won the National League MVP Award in 2019 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, following three down seasons, he signed a one-year deal with the Cubs in 2023. His resurgence earned him his current deal.

Bellinger’s contract makes him a tricky trade target. With opt-outs following 2024 and 2025, he could either be a rental or a big financial commitment through 2026. However, the Phillies could view Bellinger as more than a rental.

Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations, has shown he is not scared to make big trades. This season may be another opportunity to add to that list of deals.

Bowden noted that the Phillies have also been linked to other marquee centerfielders: Chicago White Sox‘ Luis Robert Jr., Miami Marlins‘ Jazz Chisholm Jr., Arizona Diamondbacks‘ Jake McCarthy and Washington Nationals Jacob Young.

“It will be surprising if they don’t land a center fielder by the trade deadline,” Bowden wrote of the Phillies.

If Bellinger’s injury is one that could push him to the injured list, his asking price could go down. The Phillies will have options at the trade deadline if they are looking to upgrade at center field.

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“The Philadelphia Phillies are keeping a close eye on Oakland A’s left fielder Brent Rooker. The Phillies rank 26th in OPS among left fielders this season,” wrote Nightengale.

The Phillies’ primary left fielder has been Brandon Marsh. Marsh has been one of the few bright spots in the team’s outfield. He is slashing .265/.346/.414. His numbers are not far off from his 2023 season. However, Rooker could allow Marsh to move to centerfield or right field.

Phillies Outfield Struggles

The Phillies have not seen the production they had hoped for from their primary outfielders. Nick Castellanos and Johan Rojas have struggled this season with batting averages of .238 and .232, respectively.

Castellanos has failed to match the numbers he put up as an All-Star in 2023. Rojas played in just 59 games last season but held a .302 average. The Phillies could definitely use an upgrade at either one of their spots.

Marsh has a 116 OPS+ this season, leading the way for the Phillies outfield. Rooker has a 155 OPS+ with 18 home runs. He would immediately become the best offensive outfielder for the Phillies.

As Nightengale noted, the Phillies rank 26th in OPS from their left fielders. Rooker has served primarily as a DH this season, but the Phillies have Kyle Schwarber in that spot.

Rooker’s Fit in Philadelphia

Rooker was named an All-Star in 2023 with 30 home runs, a .817 OPS and 69 RBIs. Last season he had a .246 batting average and a 127 OPS+ in 137 games. This season he has raised his average to .277 and already has 54 RBIs.

Rooker could bring another big bat to Philadelphia and play for a winning organization for the first time in his career. Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations, has shown he is not scared to make some big trades. This season may be another opportunity to add to that list of deals.

With Rooker, Marsh would likely move to centerfield. He has made 225 starts at the position. That would leave Castellanos in right field. The Phillies could remain patient there, or potentially trade for multiple outfielders.

The team has an interest in Chicago White Sox star Luis Robert Jr., according to the Athletic’s Jim Bowden. Robert is also a center fielder. Marsh’s ability to play all three outfield positions gives them some more options when looking at outfielders at the trade deadline.

Rooker’s .891 OPS would rank second on the Phillies star-studded roster, behind only Bryce Harper. He would join a lineup with Harper, Trea Turner, and Alec Bohm, all named All-Star starters this season.

Harper and Schwarber are among Phillies stars currently on the injured list. Rooker could bring some thump to the lineup while they work to return. J.T. Realmuto will not be back until after the All-Star break. Harper and Schwarber are not far from returning, according to MLB.com.

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If the Cubs decide to trade him, where could he end up? Would the Philadelphia Phillies be a legitimate destination for the 2019 National League MVP Award winner? Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer ranked 10 potential landing spots for the left-handed slugger. He placed the Phillies second and cooked up this hypothetical trade:

• Phillies receive: centerfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger
• Cubs receive: catcher Eduardo Tait

Tait is the Phillies’ eighth-best prospect this season, according to MLB.com. He’s still far away from reaching the majors. Tait is 17 years old and currently playing Rookie Ball.

However, the Cubs probably won’t have much leverage in trade talks because of Bellinger’s contract. He’s making $30 million in 2024 after signing a three-year, $80 million deal this past offseason. Bellinger can opt-out following 2024 and 2025 if he desires. So, there’s a good chance the Scott Boras client will be seen as a half-season rental by interested teams.

Bellinger Would Give the Phillies a Versatile Upgrade

Although Bellinger’s start to 2024 hasn’t been quite as good as his resurgent 2023 campaign, it’d still be a huge boost for the Phillies. The 28-year-old is hitting .267/.327/.416 with nine home runs, 13 doubles, 34 RBI and 34 runs scored through 309 plate appearances.

As a squad, Philly center fielders have slashed .234/.289/.318 with four homers, 28 RBI and 36 runs scored this season. According to FanGraphs, the 0.9 fWAR they’ve received from that position ranks 17th in baseball.

The Phillies’ current roster situation also makes the hypothetical acquisition of Bellinger even more tempting. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (strained groin) and first baseman Bryce Harper (hamstring strain) are on the injured list. That forced Kody Clemens and Whit Merrifield into more playing time at first base and the outfield.

Bringing Bellinger into the mix would give Phillies manager Rob Thomson more flexibility on a nightly basis when making his lineup. Although Bellinger has played 42 games in center field this year, he’s also appeared at first base 13 times, right field 12 times, designated hitter 10 times and left field once.

The Phillies Were Connected to Bellinger This Past Winter

President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski didn’t make any huge winter splashes (outside of re-signing pitcher Aaron Nola). The possibility was there in February, though.

Bellinger and Boras were searching for a long-term deal of at least $200 million. It ultimately never materialized before he re-signed with the Cubs in February shortly after spring training began.

Before that happened, the Phillies were seen as a potential “sleeper” for his services, per a February 4 report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

“Several executives think the Philadelphia Phillies could be a sleeper for one of the remaining marquee free agents in starter Jordan Montgomery or center fielder Cody Bellinger,” he said. “Their lone big move has been re-signing Aaron Nola, and Bellinger certainly would provide Gold Glove-caliber defense and another bat to balance the lineup.”

So, it appears there has been previous interest in Bellinger from Philly. The club is looking to get over the hump and return to the World Series this October. Finding a way to bring the left-handed slugger to the City of Brotherly Love would likely help those chances without making a long-term financial commitment.

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On July 2, MLB writer Andy McCullough predicted that Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski “goes for it” at the July 30 trade deadline, naming Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller as a potential target.

“The Phillies are good enough to win it all,” McCullough wrote. “But it would be on brand for Dave Dombrowski to trawl the market for a major addition — something like Oakland reliever Mason Miller. The Athletics are expected to ask a lot for Miller. Has there ever been an executive with a stronger track record of making these sorts of deals than Dombrowski?”

In his first full season in the majors, Miller has recorded a 1.96 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts in 36.2 innings (30 games). The 26-year-old has closed 14 of 16 save opportunities, kept opponents at a .132 batting average, and accumulated a 4.9 K/BB ratio, quickly proving himself to be one of the fiercest relievers in MLB.

Phillies Should Target Legitimate Closer to Continue NL East Domination

It’s been an extremely strong first half of 2024 for the Phillies, who have, as McCullough pointed out, “already out-performed expectations, zooming past the Braves to control the National League East.” As of July 2, the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets are 8.0 and 13.0 games back from the Phillies, respectively, which is particularly impressive considering Philadelphia’s roster remains almost entirely intact from last season.

To lock in their starting rotation’s 1-2 punch for this year, the Phillies extended ace Aaron Nola on a seven-year, $172 million contract in November 2023, and four months later, they extended Zack Wheeler on a three-year, $126 million deal. Other than a one-year, $8 million deal for utility man Whit Merrifield in February, the Phillies largely stayed away from the free agent market, and the only noticeable losses to the roster were closer Craig Kimbrel and first baseman Rhys Hoskins, both of whom entered free agency at the end of 2023.

Generally, the Phillies opted for an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach to their roster for this season, and even without a designated closer, it’s clearly worked for the first half of 2024.

As of July 2, the Phillies bullpen is ranked fifth in MLB with a combined ERA of 3.34, and while certainly impressive, it could be cause for concern that their closest division rival, the Braves, are ranked third (3.10 ERA). Phillies manager Rob Thomson has largely shared saves this season between high-leverage relievers José Alvarado and Jeff Hoffman, but adding a legitimate closer to the bullpen, especially one as strong as Miller, could be a difference-maker as the team stares down a playoff berth.

Will the Athletics Trade Miller?

There’s no guarantee the Athletics will make Miller available at this season’s trade deadline, especially since he’s under club control until after the 2029 season. If they don’t get an offer that excites them, there’s absolutely no reason for them to rush to move the star reliever.

Still, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported on May 9 that the A’s “will not rule out trading [Miller],” commenting that his value on the market “is extremely high.”

“If [Miller] goes, the return figures to be substantial, perhaps even staggering,” Rosenthal wrote.

Should the Athletics make him available, Mason is expected to draw interest from a slew of contending teams, including the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles, so there’s no question that the Phillies would need to be aggressive to land him.

Still, it’s potentially very doable, and with a proven roster, the Phillies’ contention window is wide open. Dombrowski has shown time and time again that he’s not afraid to put together a substantial trade package for the right player, so if he’s ambitious enough for this year’s postseason, Miller might just be his next big acquisition.

As McCullough put it, “Has there ever been an executive with a stronger track record of making these sorts of deals than Dombrowski?”

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Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller cooked up eight “outrageous” trades that would raise eyebrows and shake things up ahead of the deadline. Here’s what he put together to get Philly some outfield help:

• Phillies receive: center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr.
• Marlins receive: outfielder Justin Crawford and shortstop Starlyn Caba

Miller classified this as an “outrageous” trade because deals between division rivals don’t happen often.

“Chisholm isn’t having the best season of his career, but he has been healthy (for a change) and has been more productive than Philadelphia’s current options,” Miller said. “Moreover, he’s under team control for another two seasons after this one and is only making $2.6 million this season. That makes him a long-term solution, and a relatively inexpensive one for a team that already has the highest 2025 payroll on the books.”

Chisholm Would Give the Phillies a Much-Needed Outfield Boost

Although Chisholm’s 2024 offensive numbers aren’t jumping off the page, it’d be a welcome addition to Philly’s lineup. The left-handed hitter is slashing .259/.324/.423 with 10 home runs, 12 doubles, 39 RBI, 36 runs scored and 14 steals through 336 plate appearances. His .747 OPS is somewhat far off the .860 mark he posted in his 2022 All-Star campaign, but it’s still productive.

That’s especially the case when looking at how the Phillies’ outfield has performed at the plate this season. Before July 1 games started, Philadelphia outfielders combined to hit .236/.299/.363 this season. Their collective .662 OPS ranks 23rd in baseball, per FanGraphs.

Brandon Marsh, Nick Castellanos and Johan Rojas have all racked up at least 200 plate appearances while playing in the outfield. Marsh is the only one who has produced an OPS better than .700 (it’s at .796 through 225 plate appearances).

Acquiring Chisholm would certainly give the Phillies’ outfield depth chart a boost. And thanks to his current contract status, that applies to both 2024 and in the future.

Injuries Have Put the Phillies in a Tough Spot

MLB’s 162-game regular season is a marathon. There are bound to be ups and downs between Opening Day and the final out of Game 162. The Phillies are weathering the storm right now with three impact position players on the injured list.

Catcher J.T. Realmuto underwent knee surgery on June 12. If there are no setbacks in his recovery, he should be back shortly after the All-Star break. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (strained groin) and first baseman Bryce Harper (strained hamstring) joined Realmuto on the injured list June 27.

Garrett Stubbs (career .610 OPS) and Rafael Marchan (career .702 OPS) have shared catching duties in Realmuto’s absence. Kody Clemens (.621 career OPS) has stepped in at first base for Harper. Castellanos has moved to Designated Hitter with Schwarber sidelined. That has pushed Whit Merrifield (.560 OPS so far in 2024) into more consistent playing time in the outfield.

It’s hard for any team to have enough depth to replace three top-tier contributors like Realmuto, Schwarber and Harper. But still, this shows how important it is for the Phillies to strengthen their roster before July 30. Chisholm would be a helpful addition because of his production, contract status and defensive versatility (he’s played center field, second base and shortstop in the big leagues).

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With about one month before the trade deadline, Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter cooked up 10 trade proposals to help contending teams. Here’s the five-player deal he created that would send Robert to Philly:

• Phillies receive: outfielder Luis Robert Jr.
• White Sox receive: right-handed pitcher Mick Abel, shortstop Starlyn Caba, catcher Eduardo Tait and left-handed pitcher Samuel Aldegheri

“It would be a big swing for the fences by the Phillies, but their title window is open right now and Robert could be the missing piece that pushes them over the top,” Reuter said.

MLB.com ranked Abel (second), Caba (fifth) and Tait (eighth) within the organization’s top 10 prospects at the start of 2024. Aldegheri is still within the top 30, checking in at 23rd. This is a steep price to pay, but Reuter’s scenario has Philly holding onto hurler Andrew Painter, the club’s top-ranked prospect.

Robert Would Fit Perfectly Into the Phillies’ Offense

The Phillies entered June 27 games with one of the league’s best offenses. The team’s 113 wRC+ is tied for the fifth-best mark in baseball, per FanGraphs. But one clear problem area for Philadelphia on offense resides in center field. The 70 wRC+ manager Rob Thomson has gotten out of that position is the fifth-worst mark in MLB.

That’s where Robert could come in and make an immediate impact. He’s been limited to 114 plate appearances in 2024 because of a trip to the injured list. However, the right-handed slugger has still managed a 109 wRC+ with a .204/.281/.485 line, eight home runs and 15 RBI.

There are three main reasons why he’s such a prime trade candidate this summer. He’s not only fresh off a career year at the plate (38 homers and 80 RBI in 2023), but Robert is only 26 years old. The slugger can also be under contract through 2027 for what could be a bargain if he remains healthy.

He’s in his second-to-last season of a six-year, $50 million contract he signed with Chicago before 2020. Robert is earning $12.5 million in 2024 and $15 million in 2025. That’s the end of his guaranteed contract, but two $20 million club options can be exercised. So, any team that acquires Robert could get three-plus years of him at a cost-controlled price.

White Sox Are in ‘No Rush’ to Trade Robert

A huge variable in this situation is what the White Sox are thinking. Chicago owns MLB’s worst record, so selling at the deadline is a given. However, it’s undetermined just who they might send packing.

There might be concerns with Robert’s injury history. That could make it difficult for White Sox general manager Chris Getz to receive a huge haul of prospects in return for trading his starting center fielder.

“Given Robert’s talent and club control, two high-ranking rival officials said Chicago has no need to feel any urgency to move him despite the club’s undesirable state,” a June 20 report from The Athletic stated. “The general feeling within the industry is that the White Sox are in no rush to deal him, either. They can wait until the offseason when teams are in more flexible positions with their rosters.”

Patience from Chicago was already on display this past offseason. Starting pitcher Dylan Cease was a hot name in the trade rumor mill for months. Despite that, Getz didn’t budge on his high asking price for the hurler. They finally traded him to the San Diego Padres, but it took until February.

It’s not outrageous to think they’d do it again to get the best package possible. That doesn’t mean teams won’t still come calling, though.

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On the mound, they lead baseball in ERA (3.07) and are third in WHIP (1.13). The rotation is deep and the bullpen is solid.

OK, catcher and heart-and-soul team leader JT Realmuto is out after having had knee surgery, but even that is relatively positive news: He will be back, most likely, in July.

But the Phillies have gone just 7-8 in their last 15 games. And if there is an area that needs shoring up as we approach the MLB trade deadline at the end of next month, it has certainly made itself clear in the early part of this season: centerfield, where Johan Rojas (.235/.271/.295 slash line) has not worked out as hoped and his replacement, Cristian Pache (.195/.308/.260) has been even worse.

The Phillies centerfielders have a combined OPS of .596 this season, fifth-worst in the NBA.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan has just the answer for the championship-or-bust Phillies: White Sox centerfielder Luis Robert.

Luis Robert Has Had Trouble in 2024

Playing for the lowly White Sox this season, Robert has played down to his surroundings, having a disappointing year after breaking out with an All-Star campaign in 2023, when he hit .264 with 38 home runs and 20 stolen bases. He suffered a hip injury a little more than a week into the season, which kept him out for two months, and since returning, he has not gotten himself untracked.

Robert is hitting .198 this season, with just 11 homers and 17 RBIs in 26 games.

Still, he is a young slugger who is under team control for three more seasons,. having signed a six-year, $50 million contract in 2020. The Phillies could easily forgive him his injury-induced slump, especially as they seek to plug up the one glaring hole in the lineup.

“Everything here lines up,” Passan wrote. “The Phillies are a juggernaut. … They’ve made deep playoff runs the past two seasons without winning a ring. And they have one clear vulnerability: center field. … Robert, the 26-year-old center fielder for the Chicago White Sox, is under contract through 2027, giving the Phillies four potential postseason runs. His injury proneness is understandably worrisome, but his ceiling is tantalizing enough to see past the concerns.”

Phillies Could Deal Top IF Prospect Aidan Miller

What might it take to land Robert? Well, it will require a haul of prospects, including at least one who is among the best in the minors. Passan suggests the While Sox will want Aidan Miller, the talented 20-year-old shortstop (probably headed to third base) the Phillies picked in the first round of the 2023 MLB draft. He is still playing in High A ball, but is ranked No. 46 among all prospects in the game by MLB.com.

Baseball America has Miller ranked No. 21 overall after a solid start to his career, and wrote of him in their updated rankings, “When we polled scouts and front office officials for their standout prospect of the first two months of the season, Miller was the most common name.”

Phillies GM Dave Dombrowski has never been one to hold back on prospects when he has a contender that heeds improving. It might cost Miller, but adding Richard—even amid a slump—will likely prove worth it.

“It will take a steep haul to land Robert because so few impact bats are on the market. Chicago could reasonably ask Philadelphia for Aidan Miller, who dropped to the 27th overall pick in last year’s MLB draft and could end this season as a top 25 prospect. … Plenty of clubs want Robert. But if White Sox general manager Chris Getz does choose to move him — Chicago could always wait until the winter — no team makes sense like Philadelphia,” Passan wrote.

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During a June 21 Bleacher Report live stream, Robbie Hyde shared trade proposals for a handful of MLB stars who could be available. Here’s the hypothetical deal he came up with that would send Tucker to the City of Brotherly Love:

• Phillies receive: outfielder Kyle Tucker
• Astros receive: shortstop Aidan Miller, outfielder Gabriel Rincones Jr., starting pitcher Alex McFarlane and outfielder Carlos De La Cruz

According to MLB.com, Miller (second), Rincones (ninth), McFarlane (14th) and De La Cruz (12th) are all top 15 prospects in 2024 for Philly. This feels like a steep price to pay. However, Tucker’s past track record and current contract situation may allow Houston to have a high asking price for his services if they decide to seriously make him available.

Tucker is making $12 million this season, per Spotrac. He also doesn’t carry any long-term financial commitments yet and is under team control through 2025.

How Tucker Could Help the Phillies’ Current Outfield Situation

According to FanGraphs’ Roster Resource, the Phillies’ starting outfield consists of Nick Castellanos, Brandon Marsh and David Dahl. Johan Rojas has also appeared in 56 games in center field. He was recently demoted to Triple-A to make room for shortstop Trea Turner to get activated off the injured list.

Despite being solid defensively, Rojas slashed .235/.271/.295 in 196 plate appearances. This was accompanied by six extra-base hits (three doubles, one triple and two home runs), 19 RBI, 21 runs scored and 14 steals. Dahl doesn’t seem to be a dependable long-term option, either. He’s posted a .634 OPS through his first 36 plate appearances.

This is where Tucker would provide a huge boost for the Phillies. He boasts big-league experience at both corner outfield spots and is on his way to having a career year in the batter’s box. Through his first 266 trips to the plate, Tucker is hitting .266/.395/.584 with 11 doubles, 19 homers, 40 RBI, 42 runs scored and 10 steals.

Tucker Is Among MLB’s More Underrated Players

The Astros have struggled to a 36-40 record to start 2024. But between 2017 and 2023, they were the class of the American League. Tucker has been a crucial part since his first full season in 2021.

During his first three years as an everyday player, the left-handed slugger produced a .278/.353/.517 line. This has included an average of 30 homers, 34 doubles, 104 RBI, 84 runs scored and 23 steals. This production has helped him compile 14.3 fWAR, which ranks fourth among qualified outfielders from 2021-23, per FanGraphs.

Aaron Judge (17.8 fWAR), Juan Soto (15.8) and Ronald Acuña Jr. (15.0) are the three outfielders ahead of him. They’ve collectively won two MVP Awards during this period. Soto’s production will also play a role in him receiving a lucrative contract once he hits free agency this winter.

Any potential trade that includes four top prospects getting sent out of town for one player will feel like a lot. However, this proposal serves as a reminder of just how good Tucker has been in recent years.

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Philadelphia is interested in the Marlins’ left-handed reliever, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman adds that the Yankees, Orioles, Dodgers and others are also interested.

With a 46-22 record headed into play on June 14, the Phillies have the best record in the National League and appear to be cruising toward an NL East title. FanGraphs gives them an 83.3% chance to win the division and a 12.9% chance to win the World Series, second in the NL only to the Dodgers.

For his part, Scott has been solid for the Marlins this year. He’s pitched to a 1.93 ERA over 28 innings and allowed just 14 hits in that time. The bad news is that his walk rate (16.8%) is the highest it has ever been — and command has been a career-long issue for him. At the same time, his strikeout rate has also dropped.

The good news for Scott is that he’s giving up weaker contact than he ever has. Opponents are hitting .182 on balls in play, and are hitting fewer line drives and making more soft contact than he ever has in his career, per FanGraphs.

Do the Phillies Need Tanner Scott?

The Phillies have a core of solid relievers, but the team isn’t satisfied.

“You can always have more bullpen depth,” Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski told Matt Gelb of The Athletic in a story that ran Friday. “When you look at the four guys that we have at the back, they’ve been tremendous. And now Seranthony [Domínguez] is starting to throw better.”

The tricky part with Scott to the Phillies is that the back end of the bullpen is pretty much set, barring injury. Scott can close, as he’s done 8 times this year for the Marlins, but right now that’s Jose Alvarado’s job. Behind him, Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm have been two of the best relievers in all of baseball, each sporting sub-1.00 ERAs.

The lack of a desperate need for Scott means another team could easily outbid them. On the other hand, with Scott’s questionable control numbers and impending free agency, his asking price won’t be as high as other back-end relievers.

The Phillies’ Other Priorities

Philadelphia will no doubt keep an eye on the bullpen market as the trade deadline approaches, but that’s probably not going to be the team’s first priority.

The Athletic’s Jim Bowden reported earlier this month that the Phillies will look for help in the outfield and that the bullpen may even be an afterthought.

“I’ve had three GM’s tell me this week that the Phillies No. 1 priority is outfield and they really haven’t been talking to teams about bullpen,” he said in an appearance on MLB Network Radio.

Johan Rojas and Nick Castellanos haven’t hit well and Brandon Marsh is working his way back from injury. Whit Merrifield hasn’t produced much offense in a utility role, either.

Then there’s catcher, where JT Realmuto is out for a month with a meniscus injury. Knock on wood, he should be back long before the deadline, but any setbacks could open up another area of need for the Phillies.

There’s a lot to monitor in Philadelphia. There’s no doubt that adding someone like Scott to the bullpen could make them better. It’s just a matter of whether he is the right fit at the right time.

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On June 11, 2024, breaking news confirmed a lingering knee problem had forced the hand of the Phillies’ front office to shut the steady backstop down. Realmuto will undergo knee meniscectomy surgery on June 12, 2024. Since the extent of injury is still to be determined, a timeline for his return hasn’t been discussed.

The three-time All-Star and former 2-time Gold Glove winner has struggled this month with a .100/.217/.100 slash line. The 33-year-old backstop has one year remaining on a deal that pays him $23 million per.

Since Realmuto’s absence leaves the Phillies’ depth in a quandary, let’s scope the current status and explore five names who could help fill the void.

As Things Stand Now

Journeyman catcher Garrett Stubbs has subbed for Realmuto in nearly 30 percent of games to date. His .173/.271/.192 slash line, 42 wRC+, and -0.1 fWAR are less than inspiring.

Perhaps a more viable option is Rafael Marchan who was called up in the corresponding Realmuto IL transaction. Marchan hasn’t tasted the big leagues since a 20-game, 56-plate appearance stint back in 2021.

Marchan posted a 70 wRC+ and -o.1 fWAR in that brief call-up. The 5’9″/170 lb, 25-year-old catcher slashed .219/.350/.344 in 40 plate visits at the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate Lehigh Valley in 2024.

JT Realmuto could be on crutches for two to four weeks and require six to nine months of recovery in a worst-case scenario. The Phils are likely shooting out exploratory catcher-deal texts as I compose this.

5 Names Who Could Be on the Phillies’ Radar

Elias Diaz/Colorado Rockies

Elias Diaz is a 33-year-old catcher having a nice contract-year showing. Through 55 games, Diaz is slashing .303/.352/.439 in the favorable Colorado Rockies’ air. His solid bat has also seen time as the designated hitter.

The former 2020 free-agent signing has displayed a marked defensive improvement with 1 DRS and a 2.3 FRM number. Diaz posted a -16 in both of those categories in 2023.

Elias was a reserve in last year’s 2023 All-Star game. He’s due $6 million before becoming an unrestricted free agent (UFA) in 2025.

Jacob Stallings/Colorado Rockies

Elias Diaz’s teammate Jacob Stallings has appeared as the backstop in 40 percent of the Rockies’ 66 games. Stallings can also swing the stick with a current .287 batting average. In 87 at-bats, Stallings has 4 doubles, 3 home runs, and 15 RBI which is good for a 118 wRC+ figure. On the defensive side, Elias Diaz has been the better performer between the two.

Like Diaz, Stallings has some bark on him at 34 years of age. The good news is he makes a slim $1.5 million with a mutual option for 2025—including a $500,000 buyout possibility.

Logan O’Hoppe/Los Angeles Angels

The 24-year-old Logan O’Hoppe has had solid back-to-back seasons averaging 115.5 wRC+ in 2023 and 2024. Unfortunately, he’s under team control through 2028 which likely equates to a hefty haul tag.

Logan is not a plus defender, but his bat has life as evidenced by his current .269/.322/.446 slash line with 8 home runs and 28 RBI which is just one shy of his 2023 total.

Tyler Stephenson/Cincinnati Reds

While technically still very much in the National League wild-card race (0.5 games back),  some think Tyler Stephenson could be available for the right price. The Reds’ former first-round draft choice is under control through 2026.

Stephenson is slugging .429 with 6 home runs 22 RBI and a career-high xwOBA of .341. Tyler has improved his framing skills and sports a nice 3 DRS to date.

Should the right deal come about, The Phillies could do a lot worse than Tyler Stephenson.

Shea Langeliers/Oakland Athletics

Shea Langeliers is a former highly-rated prospect who was drafted ninth overall by the Atlanta Braves in the 2019 MLB Draft. The 26-year-old Langeliers has some pop in his stick with 34 home runs over his last 644 at-bats. Although just a serviceable defensive talent, he’s slugging .444 and has 1.1 fWAR.

With a potential replacement in Kyle McCann making his case in 2024, Oakland would likely listen to offers on Langeliers who won’t reach free agency until 2029.

Under the current circumstances, the chances of the Phillies adding a backstop very soon seem fairly probable unless Rafael Marchan can grab the reigns and go with it.

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“The Phillies have been the National League’s best team but aren’t resting on their laurels. They’re looking to improve their overall outfield and have interest in Luis Robert Jr. and Tommy Pham,” Bowden wrote on June 11. “The Phillies and White Sox do match up well on a blockbuster-type deal. Robert is under team control through 2027 on a club-friendly deal.”

Robert, an All-Star in 2023, has played in just 13 games this season, but when he’s healthy, he is one of the best players in the league.

Phillies’ Outfield Has Lacked Production

The Phillies have not seen the production they had hoped for from their primary outfielders. Nick Castellanos and Johan Rojas have struggled this season with batting averages of .215 and .237, respectively. Brandon Marsh has had a solid season with a 120 OPS+. However, he is currently on the injured list.

Castellanos has failed to match the numbers he put up as an All-Star in 2023. Rojas played in just 59 games last season but held a .302 average. The Phillies could definitely use an upgrade at either one of their spots.

Backup outfield Cristian Pache, who is batting .217 in 69 plate appearances, does not seem to be the answer, so it is not unlikely that the Phillies could strike a deal to solidify the group.

Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations, has shown he is not scared to make some big trades. This season may be another opportunity to add to that list of deals.

Injury Concerns for Robert

Robert has played over 100 games just once (2023) in the first four years of his career. This season, Robert went on the injured list on April 6 with a right hip flexor strain.

Robert returned on June 4 and has three home runs in six games since. He signed a six-year, $50 million contract extension with the White Sox in 2020 before making his big league debut. He has club options in 2026 and 2027.

In 2023, he slashed .264/.315/.542, hitting 38 home runs and winning his first career Silver Slugger. The main concern for Robert has been his health. He has been placed on the injured list seven times since making his MLB debut in 2020.

The 26-year-old showed what he can do when healthy in 2023. If he can stay on the field now that he has returned, the Phillies could use a bat like his in their lineup. Adding Robert to a lineup that already features Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Brandon Marsh and Kyle Schwarber could be a move that would put the Phillies over the top.

The Phillies will also monitor other options, but a healthy Robert might be the best available outfielder at the deadline. The struggling White Sox might be ready to part ways with him, but not for cheap, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

“The White Sox are listening to offers on anybody and everybody, including center fielder Luis Robert, who’s under contract through 2027, and owed about $61 million if his two club options are picked up,” Nightengale wrote on June 9. “The White Sox would command a package greater than what the Padres gave up for Juan Soto at the 2022 deadline.”

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The 2023 All-Star has seen his name churning through the rumor mill lately. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported on June 6 that the White Sox are “actively seeking packages” for the slugger. With that in mind, Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer ranked 10 landing spots for Robert.

He put the Phillies at the top of his list. Here is the trade proposal he cooked up:

• Phillies receive: outfielder Luis Robert Jr.
• White Sox receive: shortstop Aidan Miller, outfielder Justin Crawford and shortstop William Bergolla

According to MLB.com, Miller (second), Crawford (fourth) and Bergolla (11th) are all among the Phillies’ top 15 prospects.

“Consider this a reminder that the Phillies also have a good farm system going for them, yet this deal would still allow them to keep their No. 1 and No. 3 prospects in right-handers Andrew Painter and Mick Abel,” Rymer said.

Robert Would Give the Phillies a Long-Term Answer in Center Field

The Phillies’ current starting center fielder is Johan Rojas. While he’s been solid defensively, there hasn’t been much offensive production this year. Rojas hit .302/.342/.430 in 164 plate appearances for Philly in 2023, but his batting line has dropped to .234/.273/.299 across 180 trips to the plate in 2024.

If Dombrowski wants to make a big splash for the offense, acquiring Robert would be intriguing. While he’s only accumulated 45 plate appearances in 2024 because of a trip to the injured list, Robert is fresh off a breakout 2023 campaign. He slashed .264/.315/.542 with career-high marks in home runs (38), doubles (36), RBI (80) and runs scored (90).

Even with the potential injury concerns, Robert’s contract situation makes a hypothetical acquisition for Philly even more tantalyzing. He has two guaranteed seasons remaining on the six-year, $50 million contract he signed with Chicago ahead of 2020. The outfielder is making $12.5 million this year and $15 million in 2025, per Spotrac.

However, there’s also a pair of $20 million club options in 2026 and 2027. Robert will be under contract through his age-29 season if both options get exercised.

Is This a Trade the White Sox Would Agree To?

As with any potential trade scenario, both sides must agree for something to happen. Is Rymer’s proposal something the White Sox would be open to entertaining?

This hypothetical trade allows the Phillies to hold onto top prospects Andrew Painter and Mick Abel. However, it’s not as if Chicago wouldn’t get an exciting group of players in exchange for Robert in this scenario. “And yet, the White Sox wouldn’t be settling,” Rymer said. “Miller has a future as a power-hitting infielder and Crawford is a speedster in the mold of his old man, Carl. As returns go, this would be exciting indeed.”

The White Sox spent most of this past offseason not budging on their high asking price for starting pitcher Dylan Cease. It’ll be interesting to see how negotiations differ since teams are actively searching for midseason upgrades.

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Harper said he would love “a chance to put on [his] nation’s colors” at the Olympics, according to Roshane Thomas of The Athletic, who is with the Phillies and Mets as they prepare for the MLB London Series.

“Yes, absolutely and I’ve spoken to numerous people in MLB about it,” he said. “I would love to be part of that. We have the [World Baseball Classic] but it’s not the same. People can say as much as they want but the Olympics is so worldwide. The WBC is great and brings a lot of people together, but the Olympics is something you dream about playing in.”

Harper, who will be 35 when the 2028 games come around, is no stranger to representing the United States. He played for the USA Under-18 team that won the 2009 Pan Am junior world championships. Manny Machado and three other future first-round picks were also on that team.

Baseball will not be a part of the 2024 Paris Olympics, but will return in LA. Japan won the 2020 Gold Medal, while the United States won silver. Team USA has not won the gold in baseball since the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Some MLB Owners Want Players to Participate

In the past, Major Leaguers have stayed away from the Olympic games due to its conflict with the MLB regular season, but that might change in 2028.

The Athletic’s Evan Drellich reported in February that owners “are increasingly supportive” of sending players to the 2028 games. Wasserman CEO and LA28 chairman Casey Wasserman presented a proposal to owners over the winter that would condense the Olympic baseball schedule and create a “minimal” disruption to the regular season, Drellich said.

In the proposal, baseball’s portion of the Olympics would happen around the MLB All-Star break, which could easily coincide with the games running from July 14 to July 30. The proposal suggested either canceling the All-Star Game for a year or adding it to the Olympic festivities in Los Angeles. If the regular season needs to be shortened, it can be knocked down to 158 games for a year and the World Baseball Classic can serve as a qualifying event.

MLBPA president Tony Clark and MLB commissioner Rob Manfred both indicated, per Drellich, that they were open to the idea.

Bryce Harper Aims to Help Grow the Game Globally

Harper also took time to laud baseball for the work it’s done in making the game “younger,” attracting new fans who can draw on the emotion that players show on the field — something once taboo per baseball’s unwritten rules.

Now, he says, the goal is to expand the game globally, and the Olympics are as big a stage as there is.

“My biggest thing is the Olympics, when you have sports in the Olympics, and understanding the sports, there is nothing more worldwide than that,” he said. “Not having baseball in the Olympics is really tough.”

Though Manfred stressed the “integrity of the regular season” in a conversation with reporters prior to the 2023 World Series, Harper pointed to the NHL as a league that hits pause while its athletes compete in the Olympics.

“I love hockey and it’s one of my favorite sports to watch and seeing that in the Olympics is one of the coolest things ever,” he said. “They take that three-week break and let those guys go and go play. That’s another big goal we should have in Major League Baseball.”

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To get even stronger, the Phillies could make a big splash before the July 30 trade deadline to solve what ESPN’s Jeff Passan called “their outfield hitting issues,” perhaps targeting the Houston Astros‘ Kyle Tucker.

“President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski tends to adhere to a go-big-or-go-home philosophy, and whether it’s [the Chicago White Sox’s Luis] Robert, [the Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy] Arozarena or even Tucker, he’s got the minor league system to convince an on-the-fence team to deal a true impact outfielder,” Passan wrote in his June 4 “early MLB trade deadline preview.”

The Astros have posted a disappointing 28-35 record, but Tucker has done everything he can to help Houston turn things around. The two-time All-Star and 2023 Silver Slugger Award winner has already collected 19 home runs, 11 doubles, 40 RBI and 42 runs scored in 262 plate appearances. That’s helped produce a .266/.395/.584 triple slash.

Could the Phillies Capitalize on Tucker’s Uncertain Future in Houston?

Tucker is making $12 million this season. However, his contract status is becoming more of a hot-button topic. He’s been one of MLB’s more underrated sluggers since his first full season in 2021. Across the last three years, he’s hit .278/.353/.517 while averaging 30 homers, 34 doubles, 104 RBI and 84 runs scored.

The left-handed hitter is under team control through 2025, per Spotrac. However, it’s currently undetermined if Houston will be able to sign Tucker to a long-term extension. With a surprisingly bad start, it could be an opportunity for the Astros to reload the farm system by trading him.

The Phillies’ typical starting outfield mix includes Nick Castellanos, Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas. Whit Merrifield, Cristian Pache and Weston Wilson can also man a spot in the outfield grass. Marsh is currently on the injured list with a strained hamstring, which has led to David Dahl getting an opportunity to play.

Dombrowski has built the Phillies into a consistent contender by making big acquisitions. As FanGraphs’ Roster Resource shows, the majority of Philly’s starting lineup has been external additions. If Tucker becomes available, it would be a great way for the Phillies to bolster their roster for the stretch run.

Astros Still Refusing to Sell at the Deadline

Of course, it takes two teams to get a deal done. As much as Houston has struggled, the organization still needs to be open to having those conversations.

“I don’t see any scenario where we’re sellers. I think we’re going to be buyers,” Brown told The Athletic’s Chandler Rome on June 3.

This would be an outrageous statement if it weren’t for MLB’s 12-team postseason field. Houston is 7.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners in the AL West as of June 7. However, they’re also just 5.5 games out of the final AL Wild Card spot. One hot streak can change the perception of their season. The same can be said about having a rough stretch at the wrong time, though.

If the Astros eventually decide to make Tucker available, it would make sense for Dombrowski and the Phillies to make a push for the outfielder.

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Passan wrote that the Chicago White Sox are “open for business” in his early 2024 MLB Trade Deadline preview on June 4. He also classified the Phillies as “definite adders,” and suggested that they have the organizational depth to add a big name.

“President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski tends to adhere to a go-big-or-go-home philosophy,” Passan wrote. “And whether it’s Robert, [Randy] Arozarena or even [Kyle] Tucker, he’s got the minor league system to convince an on-the-fence team to deal a true impact outfielder.”

Passan also suggested that the Phillies could move Edmundo Sosa to the outfield once Trea Turner returns from injury. Turner suffered a setback in late May, experiencing leg soreness following a workout, per MLB.com.

Robert’s availability is in contrast to what Bob Nightengale reported last week, saying the White Sox were not interested in moving him.

“The Chicago White Sox are resisting all temptation to trade center fielder Luis Robert Jr., who is scheduled to return in June after being sidelined two months,” Nightengale wrote on May 26. “Robert may be their best trade asset but he’s only 26 and is under team control through the 2027 season.”

But resisting temptation implies that the right offer could sway the White Sox. As Passan said, Dombrowski is a “go-big-or-go-home” type of guy.

At 44-19, the Phillies head into their London trip with an 8-game lead in the National League East. That has them tied with the Yankees for the best record in baseball. FanGraphs gives them the third-best chance to win the World Series at 11.5%, trailing only the Dodgers (21.1%) and Yankees (14.9%).

Luis Robert on the Phillies?

Robert would be an instant upgrade over Johan Rojas in centerfield. After a promising 2023 in which Rojas hit .302 and stole 14 bases over 59 games, he’s yet to find his way at the plate. Though he has swiped an additional 14 bags so far this season, he is hitting .234 with an OPS+ of 65.

Robert was an All-Star in 2023, but he would come to the Phillies with some risk. He has played in just 7 games this year while missing extensive time with a strained hip flexor. As Tori Rubinstein of Yahoo Sports points out, Robert has missed 36% of available games between 2021 and 2023.

The good news is that Robert’s contract makes him relatively low risk (as long as you don’t count whatever asking price the White Sox have for him). He is in the midst of a six-year, $50 million deal with the White Sox in which he will make $12.5 million in 2024. His contract, however, is not guaranteed beyond the $15 million he will make next year. Should Robert stay healthy and continue performing at the All-Star levels he showed in 2023, then they can have him for a pricey but reasonable $20 million in 2026 and 2027.

Other Outfield Options

Passan also listed Arozarena and Tucker as possibilities for the Phillies, but each comes with a downside.

Arozarena has struggled mightily in 2024, hitting only .166 in 211 at-bats. He has a three-year track record as an above-average hitter with some legendary postseason moments, so the Phillies would have to bank on him returning to old form.

Tucker is performing the best out of the three possibilities Passan mentioned. Not only has he accumulated 3.6 bWAR so far, but his 19 home runs are second-best in the Majors behind Aaron Judge.

His asking price would be high regardless of the season the Astros were having, but with Dana Brown insisting Houston is not ready to sell, he might not be available at all. If he is, the price might be astronomical.

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Jim Bowden of The Athletic answered 20 questions from readers related to the trade deadline on May 23. One wondered if Miller is a realistic trade target for Philly and what kind of package it’d take to potentially land him.

“From Oakland’s side, I’m asking for third baseman Aidan Miller, who is ranked as the Phillies’ top position player prospect by MLB Pipeline, and Mick Abel as the return, or Miller and starting pitcher Andrew Painter, their top overall prospect, if I’m comfortable with how his rehab is progressing after Tommy John surgery last year. Those are steep asks, but Miller is that good, on and off the field,” Bowden said in his response.

He’s right in saying these would be steep asks. Painter (first), Miller (second) and Abel (third) are ranked as the Phillies’ top three prospects this season, per MLB.com. So, putting any combination of these players in a potential trade would qualify as a blockbuster deal.

Could Trading for Miller Put the Phillies Over the Edge?

The Phillies have finished 14 games behind the division-winning Braves in both 2022 and 2023. Despite that, they’ve reached the postseason in both campaigns, eliminating Atlanta in consecutive years.

Philly lost the 2022 World Series to the Houston Astros in six games and was one win away from returning to the Fall Classic in 2023. Off to a quick start in 2024, Bryce Harper and Co. are looking primed to make another deep run into October. But it won’t be easy once they get there.

While Philadelphia has ousted the Braves in back-to-back postseasons, Atlanta is still one of baseball’s top teams. And then there’s the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are in win-now mode and have a comfortable lead in the National League West.

The Phillies are among the best in baseball when it comes to offensive and starting rotation production, per FanGraphs. However, the club’s 4.25 bullpen ERA (as of May 23), ranks 21st. There’s room for improvement there, and that’s what Miller could provide.

He’s already accumulated 1.4 fWAR through just 20.1 innings this season. It’s been fueled by a 0.89 ERA, 0.59 WHIP, a 56.2% strikeout rate and a 6.8% walk rate. His average fastball velocity has also risen from 98.6 mph to 101.3 mph.

Miller Would Give Philly a Long-Term Answer at Closer

If the A’s trade Miller, the team who lands him will likely feel like they hit the jackpot. The right-hander won’t turn 26 years old until August and is making just $740,000 this season, per Spotrac. He doesn’t even become arbitration-eligible until 2026 and isn’t scheduled to be a free agent until 2030.

That’s part of the reason why any trade involving Miller will probably involve multiple top prospects.

Dombrowski may see the backend of the Phillies’ bullpen as the most important area of the roster to improve. Acquiring Miller would give Philly a huge boost – both in 2024 and well beyond that.

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The Phillies currently have the best record in baseball at 34-14, the highest winning percentage on the road, and are narrowly behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in positive run differential.

Former 2-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) Bryce Harper is doing some Bryce Harper-like things. The Las Vegas, Nevada native has 10 HR/ 35 RBI and resides in or near the top 15 or 20 in most popular metrics.

Bam Bam, as he’s sometimes referred to, is in stride to possibly flirt with the 30 HR/100 RBI club—something he hasn’t done since winning a second MVP in 2021.

In his 13th season, the question for the former Rookie of the Year and 7-time All-Star is this: With the talented Phillies on pace to win 115 games, will this be the best remaining shot Bryce Harper gets to win that elusive first World Series title?

Phils Have a Solid Team In Place

The franchise is off to its best start since 1993 when they went six games deep in the World Series vs. Toronto.

The Phils will be forever connected to Blue Jay Joe Carter’s historic and uber-dramatic game-winning homerun to clinch that series.

Bitter memories aside, there’s plenty to be excited about with the 2024 roster.

The Philly pitching staff leads the major leagues with 9.3 fWAR opening up daylight back to 2nd place Boston (6.6 fWAR).

The starters have been productive, the bullpen has two guys with a sub-1 ERA, and Jose Alvarado hasn’t blown any of his 8 save opportunities.

Tops in strikeouts, the Phillies are a close 3rd in ERA behind the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers.

On the batting side, the Phillies lead the league in runs scored and are 2nd in RBIs, while sitting 3rd in BBs and overall team batting average.

With 61 stolen bases, they trail only the Cincinnati Reds (79) and Washington Nationals (75). If there’s a weak link it’s likely the defense who checks in 26th overall, but 13th in DRS with eight.

Harper Would Love a World Series Ring for His 32nd Birthday

As the 2024 postseason gets underway later this year, Harper will turn 32 years old in mid-October. Even with the Phillies’ recent success, there’s no guarantee the baseball gods will continue to be kind. Time is of the essence for Bryce.

Philadelphia has put together a solid core to make a run at what would be a third World Series title in team history. The Phils presently have 13 guys with a 0.8 fWAR and higher

By comparison, the Dodgers have 10 players at 0.8 fWAR and above, Yankees 9, Orioles 8, and the Braves seven.

Starved for another shot at a ring, in an interview with MLB Network Radio back in March 2024, Harper discussed what was front and center.

“We just got to go about it the right way, and if we do get that third Wild Card, I’ll take it,” Harper said. “I’ll take the first or second Wild Card. I’ll take the division. Anything that gets us into October.”

Bryce also touched on his new daily appointment at first base.

“I’m doing all the right things and trying to learn the position as much as possible,” Harper said. “It’s nice to be in the action at all times and be able to be back in the infield and doing those things. So definitely got a lot in front of me, but very excited.”

Thus far from a statistical point, Harper is one of the better defensive first basemen in the league with 3 DRS. That figure represents 37.5% of the Phillies’ team DRS total of eight.

Naysayers vs. Positive Thinkers

Some point out a slight dip in EV/Max EV, Barrel %, and an 8-year low in xwOBA for the erstwhile top pick of the 2010 MLB Draft. However, an OPS+ of 154—which is 11 points above Harper’s career average—may give them a moment of pause.

There’s much to like about this 2024 edition of Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies.

With teams already lining up as possible sellers at the deadline, they’ll be in a good position to fill any needs as they segue into the money rounds of October.

Buckle-up Philly, this may be Bryce’s year.

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