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Phillies Reportedly Interested In Brent Rooker

By Nick Deeds | July 7, 2024 at 2:47pm CDT

The Phillies are “keeping a close eye on” A’s outfielder Brent Rooker ahead of the trade deadline, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski suggested last month that the club may look to add only modestly ahead of the trade deadline on July 30, and highlighted the bullpen as an area where the team could stand to improve. That’s not to say the Phillies won’t make any additions outside of relief help this summer, however. The club’s 58-31 record entering play today affords them the best winning percentage in baseball, leaving them well-positioned to push for the club’s first World Series championship since 2008 this October.

That doesn’t mean the club lacks holes, however, and outfield production is arguably one of the biggest. With Bryce Harper having moved to first base on a full-time basis and Kyle Schwarber now in an everyday DH role, the lefty sluggers that have worked the outfield corners for the Phillies in recent years have now vacated the outfield grass. Brandon Marsh has performed well when healthy, slashing .265/.346/.414 with a 116 wRC+ while splitting time between all three outfield spots, and veteran slugger Nick Castellanos has begun to heat up in recent weeks and figures to continue acting as the club’s everyday right fielder.

With that being said, each of Johan Rojas, Cristian Pache, and Whit Merrifield have all disappointed offensively this season. While Rojas and Pache both offer valuable defensive in center field and Merrifield’s versatility makes him a useful bench player, none have posted a wRC+ higher than 60 this year despite taking nearly 500 combined at-bats for the Phillies. That’s led the club to resort to using journeyman David Dahl as a left-handed complement to the trio of righties, but while he got off to a hot start in a Phillies uniform earlier this year he’s fallen back to Earth and now sports a meager .207/.242/.397 (75 wRC+) slash line in 19 games with Philadelphia.

It’s easy to see how Rooker would be a perfect fit for the club’s outfield mix. The 29-year-old first broke out with the A’s last year with a 127 wRC+ in 137 games, but he’s taken his offense to another level so far in the 2024 campaign. In 313 trips to the plate with the club this year, Rooker has slashed a fantastic .277/.351/.540 with a wRC+ of 153. While that production has come with a troublesome 32.9% strikeout rate, Rooker has made up for it with a strong 9.9% walk rate and the seventh-highest isolated slugging percentage in the majors.

While .371 BABIP this season is likely too high to be entirely sustainable, advanced metrics are generally buying in on his overall production as his .378 xwOBA is a near match for his .380 wOBA, suggesting that any regression in BABIP should be made up for by his eye-popping 16.4% barrel rate so long as he manages to keep his elite contact quality up going forward. That’s particularly important for Rooker given that the breakout journeyman entered the year with just over two years of service time under his belt. He’s making just over the league minimum this year and would come with three more seasons of team control after this one before becoming a free agent following the 2027 season.

That’s a timeline that lines up nicely with the current window in Philadelphia. Veteran ace Zack Wheeler just signed an extension that will also end following the 2027 season, and youngsters Brandon Marsh and Bryson Stott are both also slated to hit free agency following that campaign. Meanwhile stars Bryce Harper, Aaron Nola, and Trea Turner will all be entering this mid-30’s at that point and complementary pieces of the current core like Schwarber, Castellanos, and J.T. Realmuto will have seen their contracts expire. That Rooker’s years of control line up so cleanly with Philadelphia’s current window of contention could make him all the more attractive to the Phillies.

With that being said, it’s worth pointing out that the club may have other prioritizes ahead of the trade deadline this year. As previously mentioned, Dombrowski has highlighted a desire to improve the club’s bullpen this summer in the past, and he also cautioned last month that the club wasn’t likely to pursue the sort of blockbuster trade where the club would have to “trade three top prospects” to acquire a player.

Relief help isn’t the only other need the club may look to address this summer, either. The club entered the summer with something of an embarrassment of riches in the rotation that forced Spencer Turnbull into a bullpen role despite a 1.67 ERA in six starts back in April, but since then both Taijuan Walker and Turnbull have hit the injured list, leaving the club to rely on rookie Michael Mercado to fill out the club’s rotation behind Wheeler, Nola, Ranger Suarez and Cristopher Sanchez. With Turnbull not expected back until late August at the earliest and Walker lacking a specific timeline for return, it’s possible the Phillies could look to add a pitcher capable of helping the club either out of the rotation or bullpen depending on their needs at that moment.

Rooker also isn’t the only outfielder expected to be available at the deadline this year, with White Sox veteran Tommy Pham standing out as a rental option who would likely prove cheaper to acquire than Rooker if the Phillies are concerned with the prospect cost involved in acquiring the A’s outfielder. Kevin Pillar of the Angels, Mark Canha of the Tigers, and Jesse Winker of the Nationals are among the other rental veterans playing for teams who could consider selling this summer and would likely cost the Phillies less than a controllable asset like Rooker.

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Oakland Athletics Philadelphia Phillies Brent Rooker

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Post a Comment

58 Comments

  1. Humm bumms

    11 months ago

    Giants should be in on him too! Nice player

    1
    Reply
    • User 401527550

      11 months ago

      Most of the league is in on him.

      Reply
  2. Motor City Beach Bum

    11 months ago

    Canha and a good bullpen piece like Foley in a package for SS Starlynn Caba or another one of their SS prospects. Add/subtract on both sides to even it out.

    3
    Reply
    • Benjamin101677

      11 months ago

      I see Canha as a fit for about 4-5 teams. He just seems to be a gamer

      2
      Reply
      • Motor City Beach Bum

        11 months ago

        DD seems to like trading with his old team.

        1
        Reply
    • Never Remember

      11 months ago

      Way too much for canha. He gets you a Marcus lee sang level guy

      1
      Reply
    • DarkSide830

      11 months ago

      Canha and Vest for Caba, Kendall Simmons, and Luis Ortiz.

      1
      Reply
  3. SODOMOJO

    11 months ago

    If there’s one thing the Phillies need, it’s another corner OF/1B/DH.

    I’m probably just jealous that their team actually spends stupid money to get great players.

    8
    Reply
    • Johnny Devil

      11 months ago

      Yes the philles need a a right handed power hitting outfielder to balance their lineup and also to replace Hoskins bat, which has never happened. The philles are still in need of bullpen help and in my opinion a solid number 5 starter. Why spend 275 million if you still have holes that cost you in the end.

      1
      Reply
      • Never Remember

        11 months ago

        No need for 5th starter in playoffs and if they can’t make it with what they have time to give up

        1
        Reply
        • Johnny Devil

          11 months ago

          Playoffs? Don’t think I was talking about Playoffs. I would like my top 3 starters NOT throw 225 -250 innings. Suarez already showing arm fatigue. Bullpen inconsistent. Watch before you speak.

          Reply
        • ButCanHePitch

          11 months ago

          I would love my starters to be able to throw that many innings. It means they’re durable. We don’t have too many of them anymore. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t go get another arm for the rotation and the bullpen.

          Reply
        • Johnny Devil

          11 months ago

          So you prefer 5 let’s hope Nola or ranger or zach goes 6 come playoffs?? With this bullpen as presently constructed. We don’t have to many of them anymore for the very reason I pointed out in my comment. My philles absolutely need a number 5 cause the number 4 hasn’t proved anything.

          Reply
    • ayrbhoy

      11 months ago

      Sodo- you know that jealousy you feel for an Org that spends freely on 1B/OF/DH players like the Phillies have done? Multiply that by 3 then sprinkle in feelings of bitter resentment, betrayal and a slightly worrying level of anger……that describes how I feel about Mariners Ownership these days!

      If I were to explain the reasons for these unhealthy emotions to a fan of another team I’d say “they lied to us” and “they promised us they would add players via FA when this current core of homegrown players (from a 2018 rebuild) began to show signs of success.” That time has come, some might say it has passed, with 3 offseasons and 3 trade deadline opportunities since the rebuilt team started winning. ……….I’m Praying for a sudden influx of billions from an ownership takeover by a Middle Eastern Petro Chemical Baron. There is probably more chance of that than the team “going for it” this 2024 trade deadline.

      Reply
  4. positively_broad_st

    11 months ago

    A lot of teams will be in on both Rooker and Taylor Ward. Because of all that interest, they’ll both cost a little bit more than they should, but they’re both solid players on teams that are currently not contending. Either will be a good get for a contending team looking to extend the second half of their lineup…

    8
    Reply
  5. Benjamin101677

    11 months ago

    Phillies probably have to over pay this early in the trade season as multiple teams have been connected to having interest in Rooker.

    Reply
    • C Yards Jeff

      11 months ago

      Is he worth an overpay? Heck of a slash line … playing in Oakland … does it hold playing for a contender? And that 32% k rate. Oof. I’d go with a cheap vet like Pham before Brent.

      Reply
  6. wvsteve

    11 months ago

    By trading 2 maybe 3 players the As can really demand and bring back a lot of solid players who could be ML ready in a few years

    1
    Reply
    • pileofsandwich

      11 months ago

      A’s an A’s fan, I assure you, they will them away and will get not much in return. They will for no reason, take on injured prospects that wont work out.

      2
      Reply
      • CCCTL

        11 months ago

        other team: “Here’s the (metaphoric) handful of peanu-.”

        A’s: “whoa whoa whoa, hang on, some of them we might actually have to *pay* in a few years …. got any that are (metaphorically) shriveled and almost useless?”

        “Yeah, but do you re-”

        “WE’LL TAKE ‘EM!”

        Reply
        • pileofsandwich

          11 months ago

          Don’t worry we got nothing of use for Chapman… 2 struggling minor leagues for Bassitt… Nothing of use for Manaea…. Out of Murphy, Montas, and Olson, they got 1 starting catcher who can’t hit, a pretty decent SP who will is already in trade talks, and an OF who looks like a complete joke unless he is stealing a base.

          At the end of the day as a fan of the team, they should just hang on to the players until they leave in FA. They draft almost as bad as trade, so it doesn’t matter.

          1
          Reply
  7. cheapseater

    11 months ago

    Dombrowski loves his DH/OFs.

    2
    Reply
  8. sad tormented neglected mariners fan

    11 months ago

    Man I wish every team had an owner that was willing to open the floodgates for spending and trading like this

    4
    Reply
    • Rishi

      11 months ago

      Well the owners are generally gonna spend more when they are in bigger markets and have recently made it to the world series. So perhaps you partially just wish Seattle were, say, in the northeast.

      Reply
  9. cooperhill

    11 months ago

    They need to bring Papelbon in to keep Harper in line!

    2
    Reply
    • Heels On The Field

      11 months ago

      That’s how the Phillies got Harper. They sent Papelbon down there to grab him by the throat and tell him “You’re going to sign with the Phillies!”

      2
      Reply
      • sad tormented neglected mariners fan

        11 months ago

        The one man Harper is scared of is… Jonathan papelbon?

        1
        Reply
        • SODOMOJO

          11 months ago

          Paps is a pretty scary guy to be fair.
          Calm down, Johnny!

          Reply
    • Never Remember

      11 months ago

      Why would Harper need to be kept in line? That comnent is pointless.

      4
      Reply
      • Johnny Devil

        11 months ago

        The only thing pointless is your inability to understand sarcasm and baseball in general. Actually sports in general. Why are you hhhheeeerrrreeee.

        Reply
      • sad tormented neglected mariners fan

        11 months ago

        Hey Harper has always had a… ferocious… personality to say it nicely

        Remember that time where he felt like roleplaying as robin ventura charging Nolan Ryan?

        Reply
  10. Poolhalljunkies

    11 months ago

    Dodgers farm would def like to compete with the phillies farm for the services of rooker

    1
    Reply
  11. Heels On The Field

    11 months ago

    The Phillies need a couple of outfielders who can hit. No need at all for pitchers. Same as this past winter but nothing was done.

    2
    Reply
    • Johnny Devil

      11 months ago

      If you trust Alvarado to close for you then you are foolish. Is Hoffman the guy? Apparently Thompson isn’t sure. Agree with the nothing was done my friend.

      Reply
    • UWPSUPERFAN77

      11 months ago

      Can they get anyone who can field and hit as well.

      Reply
      • EasternLeagueVeteran

        11 months ago

        Scott Kingery to the rescue!

        He’s already being paid ( well ) by the Phillies.

        Time to step back up!

        1
        Reply
    • User 4245925809

      11 months ago

      He looked ok today, then my 2c was the game itself was overshadowed by Dallas braden’s several inning long interview with Rollie Fingers.

      Reply
  12. Texas Outlaw

    11 months ago

    I could see the Phillies make a run for some of the Rangers starters. Since the Rangers are unlikely to be completely selling, maybe the Phil’s aquire Rooker and then flip him and a mid-level prospect for Heaney or Gray. Seems fare to me.

    Reply
  13. rdiddy75

    11 months ago

    Any chance that the A’s would have any interest in Abel? Or would everyone laugh at me and hang up the phone.

    Reply
    • Poolhalljunkies

      11 months ago

      The question is..if you were the A’s..would you laugh at you and hang up?

      1
      Reply
  14. Dan oleson

    11 months ago

    Now make Phillies pay thru the nose to make up for all the giveaways to the braves…

    Reply
  15. l9ydodger

    11 months ago

    Rooker would be a good, common sense LF for the Dodgers! So would Garrett Crochet from the White Sox!

    Reply
  16. l9ydodger

    11 months ago

    Crochet as a starting pitcher of course, not a left fielder.

    Reply
  17. UWPSUPERFAN77

    11 months ago

    Can Rooker play any defense in the OF? Or, is he another bat only OF ,like 2 of the current Phillies!

    1
    Reply
    • Samuel

      11 months ago

      Nick Castellanos has become an above-average defensive RF with the Phillies. They coach up players and he has worked very hard since he got there.

      He was a butcher in Cincy because that’s how they work with their players.

      Try watching some Phillies games.

      1
      Reply
      • Tigers3232

        11 months ago

        Castellanos statistically has been worse defensively with Philly then he was in CIN.

        1
        Reply
        • pohle

          11 months ago

          larger outfield in philly, more balls dropping around casty. he is no good in the field. fun player to watch regardless

          Reply
  18. SalaryCapMyth

    11 months ago

    So does anyone still think the Phillies overpayed for Nola?

    Reply
    • User 401527550

      11 months ago

      Yes very much so.

      Reply
    • Phansince64

      11 months ago

      Actually no. He’s still performing well and keeping him away from Atlanta was paramount.

      Reply
      • User 401527550

        11 months ago

        So instead the Braves picked up a guy with sub 2 era? That worked out well.

        Reply
  19. Old York

    11 months ago

    I guess if Kyle Schwarber can have a career 28% k-rate and have success, Rooker might have success too.

    1
    Reply
  20. MLBTR needs to hire editors

    11 months ago

    Nick Deeds has no clue how to use commas. There should be one after “meanwhile” and shouldn’t be one before “either.” Come on, man.

    Reply
  21. Moneyballer

    11 months ago

    At some point the A’s just need to keep their young core. How long can you go with trading away players that are working out on the major league level? The cycle of trade off the ML roster for prospects has to end at some point otherwise you’ll always be stuck in prospect land never really letting them help your club. Prospect Hell!

    Reply
    • CCCTL

      11 months ago

      “How long can you go with trading away players that are working out on the major league level?”

      Until John Fisher’s net worth triples.

      *checks on that*

      …he doesn’t have any heirs? Tough to say then.

      Reply
    • Knee cola yoke itch

      11 months ago

      You’re not wrong about keeping a young core but in the case of Rooker he is not a young guy who would be part of a core to build around. He’s 29 and was a reclamation project picked up on waivers. Getting a good prospect or two for him would be a good result.

      Reply
  22. Edd 2

    11 months ago

    Can someone pull Dombrowski outta the dumpster and tell him to make a real move

    Reply
  23. Phanatic420

    11 months ago

    Yeah Phillies should just give up on 17.yr old Starlyn Caba? Rooker shouldn’t cost that much but I’d have no prob trading a top 10 arm not named Painter. If for Jazz then Caba in play maybe esp if in this 4 year window

    Reply

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