According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the Phillies are shopping additional players in trade discussions. Alec Bohm is already considered to be on the trade block this offseason. Nick Castellanos and Ranger Suárez are also being floated in trade conversations, as reported by Gelb. Furthermore, Gelb wrote Castellanos will probably not be traded without the Phillies eating a majority of his contract. The 40 million dollars left on Castellanos contract runs through the 2026 season. Meanwhile, Suárez will be under team control through the 2025 season. Suárez is more likely to be traded this offseason than Castellanos because of position and contract considerations.
Report: Philadelphia Phillies Shopping Additional Players
Also, Gelb writes that Bryce Harper will not be returning to the outfield. According to Gelb, Justin Crawford might be traded this off-season. However, as Gelb notes the Phillies would only trade Crawford for a major league player under team control for multiple seasons. Juan Soto has not had a meeting with the Phillies yet according to Gelb. That said, Gelb notes that the Phillies want to sign Soto. Regardless the outfield is a top priority area for improvement this offseason. Castellanos being traded would likely alter what the Phillies do in free agency. Expect the Phillies to sign or trade for at least one outfielder to start for the team in 2o25 this offseason. This is at least if the team is serious about shaking things up this offseason.
Players The Phillies Are Looking To Acquire
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported the Phillies are involved in Garrett Crochet trade talks with the Chicago White Sox. Crochet being added to the Phillies starting rotation would be a shakeup. In addition, Crochet is under team control through the 2026 season. There is probably a connection between the Phillies being invited to Crochet trade talks and being willing to move Suárez. Andrew Painter being expected to pitch during the 2025 season also contributes to Suárez being a trade candidate. If the Phillies trade for Crochet moving Suárez, who is free agent eligible after next season, would be a logical move to make. One consideration in a potential Crochet deal is to avoid dealing with their top prospects if possible.
Suárez will likely be traded for an outfielder or a relief pitcher. That is unless Suárez is part of a potential trade package for Crochet. It is also possible the Phillies package Suárez and Brandon Marsh, for example, in a trade for an outfielder and a closer. The St. Louis Cardinals are a logical trade partner in this scenario. Ryan Helsley is viewed as a trade candidate this offseason, and Lars Nootbaar fits what the Phillies are looking for in the outfield. It is reasonable to believe that the Phillies will be active in the trade market this offseason. Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski will have to be strategic about what players to trade and which ones to keep. It would not be surprising if Bohm and Suárez are both traded while Castellanos stays.
Main Photo Credits: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
