The Philadelphia Phillies are sure to be buyers at the trade deadline. The franchise has held it together with only four pitchers on their starting rotation. They are desperate to add another pitcher to make things easy. Yet, rumors state that the Phillies will also be sellers before August 3, and Justin Crawford‘s name has popped up.
A huge list of players is tied to the Phillies, including Lane Thomas, Michael Wacha, and several others. It’s clear that Philadelphia will make a move soon, but Crawford’s name was unexpected. Given their current situation and Crawford’s mediocre performance, the Phillies might use him to fulfill their trade deadline plans.
Why Will the Phillies Trade Justin Crawford?
Crawford might be the perfect player for the Phillies to trade at the deadline. The slugger is not having an outstanding season, with just two home runs and a batting average of .257. The Phillies need an outfielder who can deliver both sides of the game.
It’s hard to imagine Crawford coming up to the play in clutch moments, especially during the playoffs. The Phillies managed to turn things around under the guidance of interim manager Don Mattingly, but they still need more to beat the Dodgers and win the NL pennant.
Justin Crawford was one of the top prospects in the club’s system, but he lacks experience. He’s witnessed stretches of high swinging-strike rates against fastballs. The majors have proved to be a challenge for him, and he’s not someone the Phillies would want to bank on, especially in his developmental phase. Apart from his 13 stolen bases, the 22-year-old outfielder has also struggled to get on base.
How Will the Phillies Use Crawford?
The Phillies have control over Crawford as a pre-arbitration rookie. He signed a 1-year, $780,000 contract for the 2026 season. At present, he’s not a highly valuable player for the team. Phillies President of Baseball Operations, Dave Dombrowski, has set his eyes on reaching the World Series.
The pressure is on for Philadelphia to win. The front office is aware that Crawford’s numbers are not going to get bigger. While he has the potential, it’s evident that he has not found it yet. The best way to move forward is by trading Crawford.
The Phillies could use him, along with another player, to lure some big names. Several teams would want Justin Crawford for the future. He’s young, active, and easy on the pocket. Philadelphia could easily trade him in a multi-player deal if they get the right offer.
If you’re trading Justin Crawford, you need a better return than this. https://t.co/Ba1FHNpNrL pic.twitter.com/mQV9wYofpA
— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) July 22, 2026
Crawford’s future in Philly seems uncertain. The team might as well trade him before the deadline to get some more value. Crawford could also be a target to help bring in a fifth starter.
The Phillies are already preparing for the trade deadline. The front office has already released four players to make room for others. Right-handed pitcher Jackson Rutledge, shortstop Jose Familia, and southpaw Kleyderve Andrade are all gone.
The Phillies released the following players:
RHP Jackson Rutledge
SS Jose Familia
LHP Kleyderve Andrade pic.twitter.com/BMy5DE81UK— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) July 23, 2026
