The best of both worlds for Philadelphia Phillies fans. That would be acquiring a starting pitcher and an outfielder at the August 1 trade deadline. This helps fill both major needs the team has currently. With Bryce Harper preparing to play first base this will open up a spot in the outfield with Kyle Schwarber expected to become the designated hitter. Furthermore, the fifth spot in the rotation has been a revolving door after Andrew Painter got injured during spring training. Additionally, this outcome would satisfy Phillies fans who want another bat along with those who want a starting pitcher.
Writer’s Note: All prospect rankings are from the MLB Pipeline rankings and are team rankings. All trade values come from the Baseball Trade Values simulator to help quantify trade values.
Best Of Both Worlds Lower Value Trades
Trade #1
In this best of both worlds scenario the Chicago Cubs are the Phillies trade partner. The Cubs are a mystery team when it comes to deadline intentions. Moreover, it seems they are leaning towards being sellers. If they were to sell packaging Cody Bellinger and Marcus Stroman together in a trade has gained a lot of traction. The Phillies are a team that would be interested in both players. While it is not a given that Bellinger and Stroman would stay with the Phillies beyond this year the price makes it a reasonable move. Bellinger adds a good glove with defensive versatility and another bat to fear while Stroman secures the starting rotation and pitching staff.
Phillies Receive: OF/1B Cody Bellinger and RHP Marcus Stroman
Phillies Value: 8.00
Cubs Receive: 2B Hao-Yu Lee (#5) and RHP Hans Crouse (#25)
Cubs Value: 7.60
Simulator Grade: Accepted
Marcus Stroman on his long-term future with the Cubs. pic.twitter.com/47Vs5YIpgV
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) July 15, 2023
Trade #2
This time the best of both worlds trade involves the St. Louis Cardinals trading with the Phillies. It is widely expected the Cardinals will sell and just like the Cubs have a pair of players that would appeal to the Phillies. Jordan Montgomery and Tyler O’Neill are both likely to be traded. Acquiring Montgomery would keep the rotation the same in terms of lefties vs righties. O’Neill coming to the Phillies would help improve the outfield defense and allows for players to be moved around the outfield. The trade package is very similar to the first trade. Furthermore both trades are two for two swaps involving Hao-Yu Lee.
Phillies Receive: LHP Jordan Montgomery and OF Tyler O’Neill
Phillies Value: 14.60
Cardinals Receive: LHP Bailey Falter and 2B Hao-Yu Lee (#5)
Cardinals Value: 14.70
Simulator Grade: Accepted
Best Of Both Worlds Blockbuster Trades
Trade #1
There has been a lot of Juan Soto to the Phillies talk lately. In this best of both worlds scenario the Phillies acquire Soto along with Blake Snell. The San Diego Padres are not performing as expected. Additionally this could lead to them trading Soto to recover some of the prospect value given up to acquire him. In a full on sell mode Snell is likely to be dealt as well. The Phillies would trade their top prospect Painter in the deal. Moreover given that Soto is 24 and his relationship with hitting coach Kevin Long this would be a slam dunk move. However this move is only effective if Soto signs a long term extension with the Phillies.
Phillies Receive: LHP Blake Snell and OF Juan Soto
Phillies Value: 58.60
Padres Receive: RHP Andrew Painter (#1) and OF Jordan Viars (#13)
Padres Value: 58.60
Simulator Grade: Accepted
"The Phillies can acquire Juan Soto, one of the greatest young hitters of all-time. Put him in left field…And the other aspect of why I want to do this, is it gets them out of the Trea Turner contract."
— @JoeGiglioSports would trade Turner for Soto right now
Would you? pic.twitter.com/xhCPzpXeFd
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) July 14, 2023
Trade #2
This would be a blockbuster deal for the Phillies if it were to happen. It is likely that the Los Angeles Angels trade Shohei Ohtani. Of the best of both worlds deals this is the only one where the Phillies acquire one player. An analysis by Cole Jacobson ranked the teams that need Ohtani the most and the Phillies are second on the list. This move would be costly. However it would result in the Phillies getting the best player in baseball. Additionally it fills both of the Phillies needs with one player. A potential downside to this move besides cost is it keeps Schwarber in left field. In this scenario the Phillies could do the deal without trading Painter which would be important.
Phillies Receive: RHP/DH Shohei Ohtani
Phillies Value: 44.30
Angels Receive: RHP Mick Abel (#2), 2B Hao-Yu Lee (#5), OF Gabriel Rincones Jr. (#7) and OF Carlos De La Cruz (#9)
Angels Value: 43.70
Simulator Grade: Accepted
[metabet_core_odds_compare query=”bbm/philadelphia_phillies” size=”350×300″ site_id=”lastwordonsports”]
Photo Credit- Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Players Mentioned- Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Andrew Painter, Cody Bellinger, Marcus Stroman, Hao-Yu Lee, Hans Crouse, Jordan Montgomery, Tyler O’Neill, Bailey Falter, Juan Soto, Blake Snell, Jordan Viars, Shohei Ohtani, Mick Abel, Gabriel Rincones Jr., Carlos De La Cruz
