The Phillies are in the market for a lefty-swinging hitter with power who’s open to a bench role, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Rosenthal suggests the Phillies will look to add a player of that ilk in advance of the July 31 trade deadline (video link).
Despite the umpteen headline-worthy offensive additions the Phillies made over the winter, their attack has been closer to average than outstanding thus far. They rank seventh in the National League in runs and eighth in wRC+, owing in part to a lack of balance. With Bryce Harper, Cesar Hernandez and the struggling Odubel Herrera as the Phillies’ only lefty-capable notables, the team sits 17th in the majors in both wRC+ and OPS against right-handed pitchers.
Even though the Phillies’ offense hasn’t been a juggernaut, the club’s still 31-22 and leading the NL East by a game and a half. They’ll be in the market for upgrades approaching the deadline as a result, with the bench being one area they could potentially bolster. Philadelphia’s only a year removed from adding a pair of lefty-hitting power options to its roster around the deadline, as it acquired Justin Bour and Asdrubal Cabrera in separate trades. Those two didn’t help Philly to a playoff berth, however, and they’re now with other organizations.
This time around, Rosenthal names Nationals first baseman/outfielder Matt Adams as a player who matches what the Phillies are seeking. Whether the division-rival Nationals will ultimately move Adams is up in the air, though, considering they’ve played better of late and could still charge toward contention. This is merely speculation, but Jay Bruce (Mariners), Curtis Granderson and Neil Walker (Marlins), Yonder Alonso (White Sox) and Lucas Duda (Royals) stand out as lefty-capable hitters with some pop who could land on the Phillies’ radar in the next couple months. None of those veterans’ teams are in contention, meaning they’re all logical trade chips. Bruce and Walker are the only members of the group who have notched respectable overall production at the plate this season, though the revered Granderson has shown recent signs of life after a weeks-long slumber.
Please take Yonder Alonso.
South Side Chicago fans would love that but the Phillies might have more interest in a couple of young left-handed hitting MLB vets the White Sox currently have stashed at their AAA Charlotte affiliate. Unlike Yonder Alonso, both Daniel Palka and Nicky Delmonico could also fill in at a corner OF spot in addition to 1B for Philadelphia.
Delmonico was placed on the 7-day IL on May 23rd shortly after he was optioned to AAA by the White Sox. I don’t know the severity of his injury. As I recall and for what it’s worth, Bryce Harper took a liking to him on social media when the White Sox and Phillies were both recruiting the FA slugger last off-season.
This sounds like Carlos Gonzalez imo, the indians just released him.
The preference may be someone who wasn’t good enough for a terrible team.
They probably want someone who can actually hit.
Harper sure is worth all that money right. Their owner was right when he said spending stupid money. Harper most overrated athlete of all time move over tebow and Beckham their is a new king of media hype who’s never going to live up to what the media keeps making him out to be.
I would of taken Brantley over Cutch though
Not like Cutch has been bad tho. And he’s heating up.
Yea he is, Brantley is hitting .320 I believe.
Glad I cashed in on him in fantasy while I had the chance. Phillies are stuck with him for a LONG time
For crying out loud…he’s 26, playing every day in RF, and has a cannon arm. He’s made the lineup and the guys around him better.
How’s Stanton working out so far? Same # of championships I believe… And um… Ellsbury?
Textbook example of deflection on your part Johhos!
Would I like more HRs and fewer strikeouts ? Duh…but wayyyy too early to say never and overhyped ….
Actually Ells does have a world series ring (2 in fact) with the red sox. So he has been there at an even younger age than harper.
Bryce will be the Tony Romo of baseball. Big Name that maybe has enough to get the team to the playoffs but will never be the guy to actually get them past the first round.
So does Bryce have to pitch then too?
It’s never one guy who will get a team past anything. Not in baseball. LeBron James can do it in basketball, but that’s basketball
Was it Bryce who coughed up the lead against the Cardinals in game 5? Aaron Barett and Sammy Solis come to mind?
Oh yeah. And a guy named Max Scherzer; who along with Gio Gonzalez who gave up 7 earned runs in game 5 to the Cubs?
But yeah, it’s Harper’s fault right?
It’s baseball, not basketball… One player isn’t going to carry an entire team – just ask Trout.
The problem with this analogy is the Phillies don’t need him to be the guy. Harper is a piece of this team, not the main talent. He’s the biggest star, but that’s because the media loves to give him coverage. He’s not the only hitter in the lineup. Not even the most feared, but he certainly helps the guys hitting behind him.
So Tony Romo analogy makes no sense. Romo needed to put the team on his back. Harper doesn’t.
Funny thing is, our (Atlanta) Right fielder cost us ALOT less, has just as strong of an arm, and actually produces offensively! Lol Phillies ownership=fools
Yes, but how are those attendance numbers? Harper is selling out stadiums and merchandise. I get it. It’s cool to hate on him because he is overrated, but Harper has already brought Philly a ton of money. It wasn’t stupid money. It was an investment that’s already paying off. Also the Phillies are in 1st with the Braves right on their tail. I think both teams are pretty happy.
High School kid on the cover of SI with the title “the chosen one”. Pretty hard to live up to that hype. Wouldn’t want to be in his shoes.
Still a pretty darn good baseball player
He’s got a long time to get his BA up. He’s waking a lot, very good on the base paths and he defense has been pretty good.
You’re comparing Harper to Tim Tebow? Goodnight.
It’s not just production, plus baseball is a game of failure…but he’s worth the money for the owners. He’s polarizing. Strangers are arguing about him on the internet. He sells tickets..and jerseys. More exposure in the media. We care about stats. Owners care about return on investment..generally speaking.
Tebow is at least one of the greatest college athletes of all time.
The Phillies are in 1st place, and Harper strengthens their entire lineup. Yes. He strikes out a ton. No. He’s nowhere near an elite player. But he gets on base a lot. And pitchers do not throw him great pitches, which helps the guys hitting behind him. Harper is slumping now as he does every year, but he’ll also go on a tear at somepoint. His much criticized defense has been excellent this year. As a Phils fan, I am pretty happy with the signing and love the energy he brings to the club. Of course none of this would have worked without the Segura, Realmuto, McCutchen signings as well, but I think this Phillies team can compete all year long. And Harper is part of that.
The guy is overrated, but he’s also overly criticized. Every single thing he does (right or wrong) is a big media event. Not many players can handle that pressure.
He’s not overrated
Ryan Howard struck out over 175 times a year, i just want Harper to hit 35 home runs.
I have a bad feeling but id say theres a shot Mancini ends up there
Well, he’s not a lefty and considering the amount of team control he has left, he won’t be cheap. He’s not a fit at all.
Panda
Incredibly that doesn’t sound as stupid as it does at first glance..
Ernie I was thinking Panda as well. To say he’s fallen off is an understatement. But his bat is still money in the playoffs.
Well, he hasn’t been in the postseason for half a decade, so its hard to say he’s still money.
He’s been money against righties THIS year .329/.355/.726 with 7HR in 76 at bats.
.343/.343/.686 off the bench this year.
Sounds like exactly what the Phils are looking for.
The team would be better if the manager would calm down,stop making stupid spur of the moment decisions.
i think Goselin and Rodrigue are good enough off the bench, unless you really think you can find an upgrade worth spending on. none of the options mentioned really look too great, though walker might not be terrible. for that matter, id think Prado would be a nice idea, should he stay healthy.
There was not a good choice in any of the players mentioned.Picking thru MLB trash, Duda, Granville, Bruce. See if Abreu wants to play!
Neil walker makes sense. Marlins could give more playing time to Cooper at 1st and bring Brinson back up or maybe Harrison a shot.
Lonnie Chisenhall should be available from the Pirates. He was signed to fill in until Polanco was back. Polanco ended up being back before Chisenhall. Not a sexy add but he is lefty with a good track record against right handed pitchers and I would suspect there would not be much of a return as Pirates would probably be happy just freeing salary and giving Chisenhall an option elsewhere.
Chisenhall can’t stay off the DL. He should come with cash!
Phillies should take a flyer on CarGo, but if that doesn’t work out, then go after either Panda or Neil Walker.
I think that Walker would be a good fit for the team. He needs to get out of Miami
Chris Davis fits exactly what they’re looking for. It doesn’t say they have to hit, they just want a lefty bat for the bench and Davis is a lefty with power who is getting pretty used to being on the bench.
Haha… not worth the money… paid way too much for a bench player
Check with the Astros. They may have some candidates (Fisher, for example).
I would take Grandy
because every team needs that sub .200 bat.
Bring back old friends Freddy Galvis or Hunter Pence
Why are they mentioning Duda, Alonso and Granderson? They aren’t hitting .200. If they want someone with versatility on the bench and can bat left handed, Nikko Goodrum or Jamier Candelario would be better choices. Candelario is crushing AAA right now. They are both switch hitters that can play all over the infield and Goodrum is a decent OFer.
Mariners have Saeger at third who they would like to trade. Vogelbach has cooled off after his hot start. Dee Gordon will be available in about a week.
Rangers Choo could be had.
tigers arent trading jeimer.
If all they want is a LH bat, Nick Williams, though not great this year, is as good or better than some of the names offered up by Rosenthal and a few on this message board. But if the Phils go that route, and they don’t want to give up a top prospect to acquire that LH bat, I’d like the guy they get to be someone who is versatile in the field. Of the names mentioned, Neil Walker checks that box.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Reds made Derek Dietrich available once Scooter Gennett returns. from his injury. He’s another guy who checks that versatility box. To a lesser degree, Corey Dickerson could be an option. The Bucs appear to like Bryan Reynolds a lot, and he’s hit well since being recalled from AAA. So maybe they move on from Dickerson? .Not sure what Cargo has left in the tank, but for a power hitter he has good plate discipline, a trait that comes in handy if PH is your main job.
The best lefty pinch hitter in the NL is Sandoval and he’d be easy for them to get
They might need a second lefty bat as Herrera just caught a case.
Austin Riley wants to know how that Harper contract is working for ya. He also suggests you pony up for more than Cargo. Someone a lot taller to try to catch the bombs he will be unloading in CBP later in the season contributing to back-to-back years of 2nd half crash and burn performance. Heyward is tall – call the Cubbies and offer to spend that stupid money there.
Bryce Harper wants to know what’s it’s like to be a 22 year old rookie? When he was 22 he was making his third trip to the all star game, winning an MVP. and getting bored playing with his Rookie of the Year trophy..
Look at you, Braves Fans, gettin’ all lippy.