With the trade deadline on July 30, it is time for some hypothetical Phillies trade proposals. The Phillies are expected to be very active during the trade deadline. Two primary needs are expected to be addressed at a minimum. One need is a right-handed outfield bat to platoon with Brandon Marsh. The other need is a high-leverage relief pitcher. In recent days the Phillies have narrowed their list of trade candidates per reports. It is also possible that the Phillies trade for a starting pitcher as well. It is worth noting that because of the number of teams still in playoff contention, it is expected to be a seller’s market.
Hypothetical Phillies Trade Proposals
All prospect rankings are according to the MLB Pipeline team’s Top 30 ranking for the Phillies.
Trade 1 – Washington Nationals
Phillies Receive: OF Lane Thomas + RP Kyle Finnegan
Nationals Receive: IF Bryan Rincon (No. 7) + LHP Samuel Aldegheri (No. 23)
In this hypothetical scenario, the Phillies would take care of both major needs in one trade. Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported that the Phillies have an interest in both players. In 73 games this season, Thomas has a .247/.317/.397 line, along with eight home runs and 39 RBI. Additionally, Thomas has a 105 OPS+, a 101 wRC+, and 26 stolen bases this season. Most importantly, Thomas has a .932 OPS and a 163 wRC+ in 85 at-bats against left-handed pitchers this season. Meanwhile, Finnegan has a 2-4 record with a 2.32 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 44 games this season. This season, Finnegan has a 172 ERA+ and 28 saves. Finnegan was named an All-Star for the first time as well.
It is worth noting that both players are under team control beyond the 2024 season. Neither player will become a free agent until 2026. This means Thomas and Finnegan would be under team control through the 2025 season. This will probably impact the trade cost. In addition to that, the Nationals being an NL East opponent may also impact their asking price. It is worth noting regarding this proposal that the Phillies have middle infield depth in their minor league system. Rincon is one of five players among the Phillies MLB Pipeline’s top 10 prospects that plays shortstop. Aldegheri will be eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this offseason unless he is added to the 40-man roster.
Trade 2 – Detroit Tigers
Phillies Receive: 1B/OF Mark Canha + SP Jack Flaherty
Tigers Receive: RHP Mick Abel (No. 5) + IF Nikau Pouaka-Grego (No. 29)
This trade proposal sees the Phillies acquire a platoon partner for Marsh and rotation help. While Canha has played first base the most this season, he has made 19 appearances on left field. In 89 games this season, Canha has a score of .234/.338/.357 line with seven home runs and 36 RBI. Canha has a 98 OPS+ and a 101 wRC+ this season. Against left-handed pitchers this season, Canha has a .880 OPS and a 147 wRC+ in 68 at-bats. Moreover, in 18 starts this season, Flaherty has a 7-5 record with a 2.95 ERA and 133 strikeouts. Flaherty has a 133 ERA+ this season. This season, Flaherty has a 7.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Unlike the first trade proposal, Canha and Flaherty are free agents after this season. Given that it is unlikely that either would re-sign with the Phillies, this would be a rental move. It would not be surprising to see the Phillies trade Abel. A once-promising prospect, Abel, has dropped significantly in many prospect rankings due to his struggles in Triple-A. It is worth noting that Abel is eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this offseason if he is not added to the 40-man roster. Pouaka-Grego is one of eight middle infielders. MLB Pipeline ranks among the Phillies Top 30 prospects at the moment.
Trade 3 – Los Angeles Angels
Phillies Receive: OF Taylor Ward + RP Carlos Estévez
Angels Receive: OF Cristian Pache + IF William Bergolla (No. 11) + RHP George Klassen (No. 28)
This proposal would also see the Phillies get an outfielder and a bullpen arm together. In 99 games this season, Ward has a .229/.319/.394 line with 14 home runs and 45 RBI. Ward has a 97 OPS+ and a 99 wRC+ this season. This season, in 69 at-bats against left-handed pitchers, Ward also has a .903 OPS and a 152 wRC+. It is worth mentioning that this season, Ward has 2 Defensive Runs Saved in left field per FanGraphs. Meanwhile, Estévez has a 1-3 record with a 2.45 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 33 games this season. Estévez has a 174 ERA+ this season, as well as 19 saves. Additionally, Estévez has a 6.40 strikeout-to-walk ratio this season.
Ward is under team control through the 2026 season. However, Estévez will be a free agent after this season. This would also not be the first trade deadline deal between the teams in recent years. In 2022, the teams made two deadline-day trades that saw Marsh and Noah Syndergaard head to the Phillies. Meanwhile, the Angels acquired two current starting position players in Logan O’Hoppe and Mickey Moniak, in those trades. Given that Ward has two additional seasons of team control, this trade will have a higher cost. This creates tough decisions, such as including Klassen in this proposal. Bergolla is another middle infield prospect. It would not be surprising to see the Phillies trade Pache.
Trade 4 – Oakland Athletics
Phillies Receive: OF Miguel Andujar
Athletics Receive: RHP Jean Cabrera (NR)
The lone one-for-one deal on this list sees the Phillies address their outfield need. In 50 games this season, Andujar has a .302/.324/.420 line with four home runs and 26 RBI. Andujar has a 112 OPS+ and a 114 wRC+ this season. In 29 at-bats against left-handed pitchers this season, Andujar also has a 1.287 OPS and a 271 wRC+. In left field this season, Andujar has 3 Defensive Runs Saved, according to FanGraphs. This has been a rebound season for Andujar. Currently, Andujar has a 0.7 fWAR this season. That is on track to be his best fWAR in a season since 2018. That season, Andujar finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting.
Andujar would not be a rental player as he is under team control through the 2025 season. It will not be surprising if the outfielder the Phillies trade for is under team control beyond this season. Cabrera is eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this offseason if he is not added to the 40-man roster. Regardless of who the Phillies trade for, expect at least one of their Rule 5 eligible prospects to be traded. Cabrera is currently not ranked as one of the Phillies Top 30 prospects by MLB Pipeline. This proposal is a low-cost trade for the Phillies that helps fill a need. Andujar is the most underrated of the trade candidates who fit what the Phillies are looking for.
Main Photo Credits: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
