MLBTR's team-by-team look at the upcoming deadline continues with the Phillies. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has never been afraid to take swings, and this year figures to be no exception as they battle the Mets for control of the NL East.
Record: 47-31 (90.7% playoff probability, per FanGraphs)
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Potential needs: Late-inning relief, corner outfield, center field, second base
Philadelphia has fewer holes than most teams do. They're the rare club that probably feels good about their rotation depth. They've stacked much of the everyday lineup with star players, most of whom are performing up to expectations. The top priority is a familiar one for the fanbase and front office: stabilizing the back of the bullpen.
Jordan Romano, Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm are their top in-house options at the back end. Strahm is consistently effective but not a prototypical power arm. Romano's first season in Philly has been up-and-down. Kerkering has high-octane stuff and has gotten excellent results since the start of May, but he's always at risk of losing the strike zone. Rookies Mick Abel and Andrew Painter are starting pitching prospects but might make a greater impact this year in the late innings. Still, that's a lot of onus to put on young pitchers.
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Engage 2019 Nats mode.
Bohm is always in the ops 700 range.
Phelonious Phils gonna trade the next O’Hoppe for a platoon outfielder. Steal of a deal.
Have you seen O’Hoppe lately? That deal isn’t as terrible as people once thought.
I’m intrigued by the Mariners roster. Justin Crawford & Mick Abel for Andres Munoz & Dylan Moore? Instantly upgrade our defense and get a controllable bonafide closer. Also what are the Mariners going to do with Harry Ford? He gives me Buster Posey vibes, blocked by the best catcher in baseball. Need long term solution for JT. They have pieces that can help the Phillies in the short and long term, whereas Boston has two perfect puzzle pieces (rentals) in Aroldis Chapman & Rob Refsnyder. Is Byron Buxton of the Twins available? If so, he would make a lot sense as well, controllable through 2027 at 15/per. Or the AL leader in holds, Griffin Jax. Twins also have a deep bullpen. We’ll see if DD takes a swing at a controllable Allstar player, or some pieces on the cheaper side to compliment what we have.
They need a power hitter almost as much as they need bullpen help. Schwarber has 24 home runs but nobody else is even in double digits.
Schwarber in his last season with no trade protection probably in the conversations and probably Sosa. But who goes when Harper comes back from the IL?
Well, obviously Otto goes back to the land of the Iron Pigs. Did a decent fill-in job.