The Philadelphia Phillies ideal trade deadline would involve acquiring a right-handed outfield bat with team control and a starting pitcher. Acquiring a right-handed outfield bat needs to be a suitable replacement for Rhys Hoskins. A move like this can improve the balance of the lineup that’s mostly left-handed hitters. It’s essential that this player is under team control beyond 2023. Bryce Harper taking over at first base and moving Kyle Schwarber to the designated hitter spot allows for this move to happen.
While Christopher Sanchez has not been bad in the rotation, it would be a good idea to upgrade him there. He’s winless with a 2.98 ERA in eight starts. Whoever the Phillies acquire for this role does not need to have team control beyond this season. On top of landing a starting pitcher, adding a relief pitcher will provide some needed depth. A team like Philadelphia who can have reliable bullpen options would be best. Acquiring rental players for these roles would be fine since pitchers are in such high demand and basically every contender wants to upgrade there.
Phillies Trade Deadline Options
Who The Phillies Should Acquire, Part 1
These are some players that need to be acquired before the August 1 deadline. The best right-handed outfield bats the Phillies should inquire about are Tyler O’Neill or Lane Thomas. Both O’Neill and Thomas are under team control beyond this season. Plus, they fit the criteria of a right-handed bat who can play in the outfield. It may not be an easy trade to complete, but if the Phillies want to return to the World Series, acquiring one of these players should be a priority.
O’Neill is hitting .252/.324/.366 batting line with two home runs and nine RBI in 38 games this season. Adding someone like the Canadian would greatly improve the Phillies questionable outfield defense. It’s something that should be a priority in this move. Meanwhile, Thomas is hitting .287/.335/.477 line with 16 home runs and 54 RBI. While it would cost more and involve trading with a division opponent, acquiring Thomas would be a good move for the Phillies. He leads NL outfielders in key defensive categories like putouts and assists this season. He’s also fourth in the NL in hits and eighth in batting average.
Who The Phillies Should Acquire, Part 2
There are some very interesting starting pitchers available for the Phillies to trade for. Another option to consider is another Cardinal, but it’s starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery. If not Montgomery, then Eduardo Rodriguez of the Detroit Tigers could be an ideal trade candidate. Both players will be rentals as they are both set to enter free agency after this season concludes. The price to acquire either would be lower than trading for one of O’Neill or Thomas. Either pitcher would be a welcome addition to the rotation. Both are left-handed pitchers, which would keep the Phillies’ rotation the same in terms of lefties against righties.
In 21 starts this season, Montgomery has a 6-9 record with a 3.42 ERA and 108 strikeouts. There will be a lot of competition for Montgomery, who is the most sought-after starter still available. In 15 starts, Rodriguez has a 6-5 record with a 2.95 ERA and 91 strikeouts. Either player would stabilize the rotation and keep it consistent for the rest of the season. It is also important to have pitching depth in the event of an injury. Of these two players, it would be best to acquire Rodriguez unless Montgomery and O’Neill can come as a package deal.
Who The Phillies Should Not Acquire
There’s a good chance the Phillies don’t make a major move at the deadline. However, given the track record of Dave Dombrowski, it seems unlikely that it will play out like that. The Phillies continue to be connected to more outfielders from a division rival. Tommy Pham and Mark Canha of the New York Mets are getting interest from multiple teams. Pham has a line of.265/.347/.460 with nine home runs and 35 RBI. Meanwhile, Canha has a .239/.338/.375 slash line with six home runs and 29 RBI. If not Pham, then Canha, who is better defensively, would still be an intriguing acquisition.
If either of those players ends up being the Phillies’ headline acquisition, it would be a major letdown. Giving prospects to the rival Mets for half a season of Pham or Canha is a horrible idea. Helping your rival with their sale of players that do not upgrade the outfield defense or bring major offensive production. Regardless of how good or bad the prospects are now, sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and go for it.
Photo Credit: © Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
Players mentioned:
Rhys Hoskins, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Tommy Pham, Mark Canha
