The Phillies are “prioritizing” finding a right-handed hitter to add to their outfield mix, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Gelb adds that Philadelphia is expected to make at least one trade to address its bench mix before the deadline.
The organization cleared a spot on its bench for a righty outfielder yesterday by parting ways with veteran utility player Whit Merrifield. That’s left the club to search for a platoon partner for the lefty-swinging Brandon Marsh in left field, and their internal options are fairly limited—particularly with Johan Rojas patrolling center on a regular basis. Cristian Pache and Weston Wilson are both currently on the club’s roster, but neither inspires much confidence.
Pache, 25, was a roughly league average hitter (99 wRC+) for the Phillies last year in 95 trips to the plate but has struggled in a similar role this year. In 109 trips to the plate this year, Pache has struggled to a .200/.294/.274 with a wRC+ of just 65. Meanwhile, Wilson has just 11 games under his belt at the big league level across the past two seasons. While he’s hit a solid .261/.431/.391 in that limited time, it’s hardly a surprise that the Phillies would be interesting in a more established option than Weston, particularly given his somewhat middling 107 wRC+ at the Triple-A level this year.
Edmundo Sosa, who his hitting an excellent .275/.333/.461 (123 wRC+) on the year and was forced out of the starting lineup by the return of Trea Turner from the injured list, may seem like an obvious solution. The 28 year old has been ice cold at the plate lately, however, with a slash line of just .239/.269/.347 in his last 104 trips to the plate this year. Even setting aside Sosa’s prolonged cold streak, the utility infielder has virtually no experience in the outfield with his four brief cameos on the grass spanning just 5 1/3 innings. That would make him a risky choice for regular time in the outfield, particularly with Nick Castellanos’s less-than-stellar defense in right field on an everyday basis.
That’s left the Phillies to look for external options as they track down a platoon partner for Marsh, who is hitting just .149/.222/.170 against southpaws this year. Fortunately, there are plenty of potential trade candidates who could improve on that production substantially. A look at MLBTR’s Top 50 Trade Candidates for the upcoming deadline reveals a number of right-handed hitting outfield options, and while top option Luis Robert Jr. is likely not in the cards for a club that appears to be looking for a smaller addition pieces like Tommy Pham, Kevin Pillar, or even Miguel Andujar could all capably fill the short-side platoon role the Phillies are looking to add a candidate for.
Pillar in particular appears to be a strong fit for the Phillies are looking for. The veteran has had a resurgent season at the plate with the Angels after struggling during his time with the White Sox earlier this year, and much of that production has come by way of crushing lefties. The 35-year-old has hit an excellent .359/.406/.625 in 69 trips to the plate against southpaws this year, and that strong production is largely backed up by his career .282/.318/.470 line against opposite-handed pitching. While he’s more of a scratch defender (-1 OAA, -3 DRS) at this point in his career than the elite center fielder he was in his younger days, Pillar could still be an excellent platoon bat for a team like the Phillies.
Beyond the aforementioned options, there are some other less likely trade candidates who could make some sense for the Phillies, such as Tigers veteran Mark Canha or A’s slugger Brent Rooker. Rooker has been connected to the Phillies previously but may be an imperfect fit for a club looking for smaller acquisitions, but the 35-year-old Canha could fit that bill nicely after a somewhat down season at the plate this year. That overall downturn in production hasn’t stopped him from being a quality hitter against lefty pitching, however, as Canha has slashed a strong .290/.408/.484 in 76 trips to the plate against southpaws this year. While the slugger is split-neutral for his career his lengthier track record of offensive production could be appealing for the Phillies.
I like Wilson as an underrated asset, but he actually has reverse splits and it makes sense they’d want a more established bat even if he didn’t
Wilson really hasn’t had the chance to stretch his legs at the big league level yet. I can really see him, marsh, Rojas and Pache all splitting time with whoever is hot.
I can see him in left and marsh in center come playoff time. Rookers asking price is likely too high, and Robert will be making 15,20,20 the next 3 years so I don’t see him as being reliable or healthy enough to pay that price tag.
Please put Rojas in any deal that they may make. That guy is a liability and couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat
The young man is 23 years-old, plays excellent defensive CF – something not easy to find – and has hit better since the Phillies sent him to AAA a bit ago and had him work on some things.
MLB is not Rotisserie League, nor is it a fast food joint where you drive up, say what you want, and drive away (with junk that poison’s your body).
In most professions people have to get some guidance, then have to work hard for a period of time before they become proficient in all areas of their responsibilities. Oftentimes that takes years.
Question, how many times have you eaten fast food before?
Son you do not spend 250 million to win a championship and then get cheap. Rojas is a huge hole in a championship lineup. Your diatrabe was interesting but nonsense when it comes to the philles. They need a power hitting right handed bat to balance this lineup and a closer TYPE .
…
And those 2 come in the form of Luis Robert and tanner scott
At the cost of mick Abel and Justin Crawford
Son?
I’m old enough to be your grandfather, And old enough to know that you know nothing about MLB.
He’s not on the team to hit. He plays excellent defense, and would be a perfect late-inning replacement if they find another slugging OF.
I am Shocked!!! What about you ?
I watch every pitch of every inning of every philles game. I have no life. Do you actually watch this team or just read about it them as you throw back another one over your morning beer ??? Rojas sucks ! You do not win a championship with a Rojas. They proved that last year. A right handed power bat and a closer.
No dissing,but maybe a half-caf beverage would be a wiser choice. Or in a wider option…xanax.
The more LugNut comments, the more he shows how clueless he is
Clueless as in the philles are looking for exactly what I am speaking to ? A power hitting right handed outfielder and bullpen upgrade? Obviously you are whatever that phils is supposed to mean in your head. Try watching before speaking. You are dismissed as a knucklehead.
English please
You have no idea what you are talk about. He is a gear fielder which has always been considered his key role. His speed adds another dimension and he is very young, got rushed to majors and is still developing. Trading Rojas in any deal is such a bad idea it hurts to think there are people like you who don’t get it.
I truly don’t think you get it. Rojas is the most common type of player you can find. A gold glove caliber defender who’s lucky to hit 220 every year. You can find them everywhere.
Every teams top prospects if full of these guys every year. The Phillies have 10 guys like these in their top prospects year in year out. Every team does. They’re gone as fast as they show up.
I heavily follow every MLB teams top prospects since 2013. There’s no reason to believe he’s gonna be any different than the other 1000+ guys who were the same exact player as Rojas. 99% don’t make the show at all or are done by year 3 at the VERY latest.
That will be Rojas. Trade him while value is still there.
Phillies like usual have like 3 shortstops in their top 10 prospects who are considered elite defensive prospects and signed for million dollar bonuses (international) and they’re all the hype right now and people think they’ll be stars but if they’re not flamed out of the league by AA that’ll be shocking. It’s the same old story every year for every organization. It’s nothing new. Rojas is the same story told for the millionth time.
He’s just one of the lucky ones that atleast will get a year or two in the show before it’s all over.
You got it !!!!!!!!
Thedefcrypt- The most common type? Please name 5 others, because most at 23 are between college and AA. The conversation changes if he’s 30, but he’s too young to write him off like he’s hit his ceiling.
I’m a huge Judge fan, but he was still in the minors at 23 and hit .255 with a .777 ops.
Who would be freely available in the organization or the majors that is young, controllable, has plus defense and can manufacture runs with steals?
We were at Thursday night’s game to see Rojas make an amazing catch in the left center gap in the 7th inning. It was a remarkable play. He also drove in a run with a single to left field. Also, when he was running off the field after pregame warmups, he threw us a ball.
Based on the above, I must adamantly disagree.
“he threw up a ball”
What’s he doing eating baseballs?
S’s, P’s, whatever makes you happy!
Was watching the Three Stooges on MeTV as I read this…..
You win sir!
Because he threw you a baseball. He threw it up in the air for any fan to catch it. His defense was good last year it stinks this year. And I’m sorry for offending anyone but he is not a Major League everyday centerfielder. Maybe a defensive replacement in the late innings but to give this guy 3-4 at bats a game while trying to turn the lineup over please. There have been times this year where his defense looked like the Eagles defense in Nov dec and Jan
noooooo, this is kelly clarkson
Yeah, but he threw me a ball!
bro i’m with you. if he threw me a ball, i’d defend him to the end. but i already do because my fiance bought us both Rojas sherseys last year so i’m invested
And he made a nice play in the gap today, and just hit a home run.
Bring over Marsh’s bestie: Joe Adell. Please.
Sincerely, Angels Fan
Pham
Not sure the personality will fit.
Of course it won’t fit, it doesn’t fit anywhere in MLB… but he *could* help a team with his bat.
His teammates seem to like him alot he works his off people like harper would love pham..just dont play fantasy football with him
Gelb has pretty definitively said they will not add Pham. In a way that feels like Dombo/Topper/Harper or another very influential person in the clubhouse has explicitly said they won’t do it.
Matt Gelb was quoted last week on 97.5 that he’s “not an option”
I like the idea of Pillar to the Phillies!!!
Sosa can handle the outfield.
But if Kevin Long wants a real challenge, allow me to introduce:
Dylan Carlson.
Mo hates him.
Hits better from the right side (which isn’t saying much).
Former highly rated prospect who now resides in the doghouse.
Future All-Star if the Phillies decide to pick Mo’s pocket.
What’s he in the doghouse for? Sucking?
Pillar! But Rooker is certainly intriguing. No to Pham.. no way he fits the clubhouse. Robert would cost way too much in young talent.
What about Lane Thomas? Hits lefties really well.
Besides Robert, I think Lane would have the highest acquisition cost of all the aforementioned options… and you’d have to pry him away from a NLE opponent.
Rooker prob costs more than thomas they are about the same age but rooker isnt ufa till 2028 vs thomas 2026..and thier career stats are similar except this season rooker is playing much better and would have been the As all star if not for mason miller
All valid points, Poolhall, and hard to argue otherwise.. but I will retort that the A’s “typically” settle for less in their trades and Lane would prove to be a difficult pry from a NLE rival… hence, my position that it would take an overpay of sorts to obtain Lane. My gut says Rooker could possibly be had for less than Lane – if our position is from the Phillies perspective. The stove is still warming up though, we’ll all see some moves rather soon! Cheers
Rooker’s defense (or lack thereof) may make him a bit cheaper than Thomas.
Yeah, no way is Robert a platoon player. Glad they mentioned it in the article.
Rooker for Miller.
No to Miller for Rooker.
If the rangers decide to sell, would Adolis garcia (signed through next year at a good rate) for Justin crawford work for both teams?
Garcia is streaky, and can carry an offense in the playoffs if he’s going well. The rangers could open an outfield spot up for Langford and carter, and be a 2026 away for crawford (if he has early success in hitting in the upper minors)
Where does he play every day? Seems like they’re looking for a platoon partner for Marsh.
Fair point. I would assume garcia would play center and move rojas to the bench
Andy Ibanez hits lefties well… he can platoon at 2B and play some corner OF. He’s cheap too. Probably wouldn’t take much to get him.
Canha is worse than Nick.
If Phillies need an OF, they seem to be one of the few teams Harris has a working relationship with. Canha is the better fit, and as a rental, would be cheaper. The Tigers have moved him off 1B, as that seemed to aggravate some muscle strains. He has been swinging the bat better since. He was great for Milwaukee in the stretch run last year.
Taylor Ward
You can have Austin Slater.
– Cincinnati
Now fielding calls in Taylor Ward and Kevin Pillar.
Chas McCormick could be the odd man out in Houston and need a change of scenery.
Agree 100%!
Tyler O’Neil, if Red Sox fall out in next couple of weeks.
1) Wouldn’t Cost that much
2) Power Bat
3) Good OBP
4) Above Avg Defensive OF
5) Decent runner for a big guy
6) FA at the end of the season
I see your “if,” but I don’t see them falling out of contention anytime soon. I know they’ve surprised many, including me, but their SP is real. I see them adding.
Most likely, the Red Sox will be both buyers and sellers. Duran, Raphaela and Abreu with Refsnyder as 4th OF and Yoshida in a pinch. They just need to find a decent defensive shortstop and O’Neill becomes expendable.
Kyle- I believe Breslow recently said the BoSox will “choose a lane” and either be buyers OR sellers and NOT a mixture of both. It’s my general understanding that the next couple 2, 3 weeks will determine their fate…
Take the under on selling
I see your point, but Its not really a mixture. If they acquire a right-handed shortstop, which they desperately need. (Look at Raphaela’s defense at SS). They would need to reduce the outfield by one to make room for Raphaela. Of the 4 (Duran, Abreu, Raphy and O’Neill) and Refsnyder in reserve, O’Neill is the expendable one.
I dont see it as not picking a lane, its an add in one place (SS) out of necessity, which would create a surplus in another. Thus, a subtraction because of numbers in another (OF).
I saw Mark Canha mentioned, but surprised Matt Vierling’s name didn’t come up. He’s an ex-Phillie, a decent RH bat, good outfield defender. He’d also provide some defensive versitility, as he’s played CF, as well as 3B with the Tigers..
Honestly the best suggestion in this thread so far. Kind of plugs right in to the role vacated by Merrifield. Of the names floated here, him and Pilar feel like the best fits.
I was thinking Canha would be a cheap and solid fit for the Red Sox. As a Met, he played the wall like he was born to play in Boston and his bat while not the bopper I’d prefer is ok for what I expect would be a marginal prospect.
Canha would be the 5th or 6th best OFer in Boston. (Duran, Abreu, Raphaela, O’Neill and Refsnyder). The Outfield is crowded.
Raphy needs to be moved off SS. His defense in CF was excellent and his SS defense has been bad. A right-handed defensive SS would be a much better move. It improves the OF and IF defenses.
1) dombrowski swings big
2) perfect fit
3) max value for angels going forward. Turns 33 august this year is dead for them 37m per thru 2030 this is the spot
4) he loves Philly his home obv
5) If trout came here today and played out the contract thru 30 -1035 games. If he played 60 pct that’s 621 games to hit 178 homers – 500 and 352 hits -2000. That’s kind of a lock 278 over 6.5 years 42 per year gets 600. 3000 hits probably no shot. 200 a year. But those milestones and the hall of fame. It’s worth the risk for us (the Phillies) more than any one because
6) on the way to there milestones he will sell a gazillion shirts jerseys hats etc. the Phillies will monetize his career and path to the Hall better than anyone.
7) he can carry a team for weeks at a time. The fit is perfect.
Mike trout by the way if it wasn’t obvious
Not happening by the way, if it wasn’t obvious
I just wasted 30 seconds of life on an opinion with no support
Vierling is a great 4th outfielder plus the 3B option. He’ll come at a much greater cost, though. However, the Phil’s might be able to get Canha for a lower level prospect or the famous Cash Considerations.
Tigers just pulled Canha as DH 3 innings after his only AB.
MUCH greater cost? What do you think that Vierling is really worth?
Says a Philly guy who appreciates him, but sees him for who he is…a younger corner ute with some control but still is on the verge of being DFA’d on a year by year basis on good teams unless he takes another step or two in his development.
Much greater than a 35 year old rental (Canha) who could be had for cash or a low prospect. The Tigers value his versatility and aren’t going to take someone’s 25th ranked prospect. He’s shown surprising power this year with 12 HRs in half a season of ABs and is under team control for 3 more season after 2024.
He is worth more to the Tigers than to the Phils for sure. His realistic open market value is not what you are perceiving, so the reality is that he stays in Detroit.
Top prospect for Mattie V? Dreaming.
Of course not a top prospect, but Vierling was viewed as expendable by Philly 1-1/2 years ago and has been a valuable contributable to a team not playoff-bound.
I suspect it would take on of Philly’s top prospects (definitely inside their top 10) to get the Tigers’ attention.
But we agree that the most likely outcome is that Vierling remains in Motown.
SS Starlyn Caba and Catcher Eduardo Tait are two top prospects from the Phillies I really like. I doubt they could get them both, but maybe one and a lottery prospect?
Wow…what are you smoking? Keep Vierling…please.
Rich get richer
I think the Phillies have been pretty lucky so far but injuries are catching up to them. I still think they are the second best team in the NL East.
….mild downvote for you goodsir…
The Phillies Offense is good enough. I don’t think there’s any truth to this rumor
Uh….what?
Appreciate your take, but this has been an ongoing topic since before the season started, both from the media and insiders…..
matt vierling; the Phils should go get him back! Young guy that meshed well with the boys before he was traded. Fast fielder with ability to play multiple positions which DD loves. What would it take?
I think a similar level prospect to Hao Yu Lee. Maybe Mick Abel, if the Phillies are ready to give up on him. He’s been brutal recently, but maybe could use a change of scenery. I know that sounds like a lot, but the Phillies org isn’t exactly loaded with guys worth trading for. As someone noted earlier, his contract has good value with 3 years of control remaining.
Abel, even now, isn’t a “similar prospect” to Lee.
Push the chips in and go get Luis Robert. Put him in a clubhouse like the Phillies where he’s not he man and watch him mature and learn how to be a MLB player.
Is it just me or is luis robert the right handed version of jazz chisolhm..aside from the 1 year robert mananged to stay on the field?
Robert is a better hitter and a much better defender.
Weston Wilson has a huge ceiling : your comment that he “doesn’t inspire much confidence”. Is unmerited
He’s definitely a player that has earned a chance in MLB .
He’s two years younger than Kyle Schwarber and hasn’t established himself at the MLB level yet.
Pillar would seem to be an ideal short-term fit. An equivalent long-term fit would be Taylor Ward, from the same team. Signed through 2026.
Ward vs LHP in 2024: .354/.403/.554
Ward vs LHP (career): .286/.357/.453
Wil Meyers
none of you have any idea what you’re talking about that’s the common response to every post
Brent Rooker (LF) is the player to go get for this Phillies team. We need a RH bat that can hit LHP. Don’t wanna face the Braves, or another team with multiple LH starters, in the PS with this lineup as is. Marsh plays CF vs RHP and bumps to LF late in games with a lead. Insert Rojas to CF. Unless they go get a true CF, that can hit lefties, I think they should be blowing Oakland up for him. And he wouldn’t cost them Aiden Miller or Justin Crawford. Abel or Aldegheri & a top 20 position player prospect, fine. It’s worth it. Phillies are all in.
I just don’t see the roster fit. Defensively bad, costs a good deal more in prospects than the short platoon 4th of type that the Phillies are likely hunting for here. If you bump Rojas and his glove for rooker them you have a lesser defensive cf with defensive liabilities on either side. The Phil’s don’t need another high k power guy enough to take those hits.
Castellanos’ less than stellar defense? Nick’s D has been *much* better this season. There’s been many times that he held a hitter to a single instead of a double, and he’s made a number of nice catches in RF. He’s never going to be confused with Rojas or Marsh, but he’s solid. I can’t remember any balls that he’s misplayed.
Gonna be a guy like Rooker or Thomas. Trade a prospect not named miller painter or Crawford. Crawford will replace Rojas in about 18 months
If the Phillies have pitching, the Orioles have outfielders a’plenty, and they’re all better than average.
Mostly left handed outfielders other than Santander, who isn’t going anywhere and Austin hays. And I just don’t see the Phillies giving up the kind of pitching Baltimore needs for Austin hays.
With Rojas swinging the bat well I would call Chicago to see if they would take Rojas,Abel & Tait for Luis Robert Jr. This may be the only time Rojas’s value will be this high. Brent Rooker on the other note has sky rocketed in value after today and my only issue with him is where does he play if he comes here? He’s Oaklands DH. Would he even be able to play LF? I do not want Pillar… I would settle on Pham however if that’s all that’s out there.