The Phillies announced a trade with the Tigers that will see outfielder Brewer Hicklen head to Philadelphia in exchange for cash considerations. In the corresponding roster move, the Phils designated right-hander Ryan Cusick for assignment.
Hicklen was designated for assignment by Detroit earlier this week, and he’ll now head to the Phillies for the second time in his career. Philadelphia previously acquired Hicklen back in August 2023 in a trade with the Royals, and the outfielder didn’t get any MLB playing time before becoming a minor league agent following the season. Hicklen signed a minor league deal with Milwaukee in November 2023, and the novelty of Brewer playing for the Brewers lasted until this past March, when the Brewers designated him for assignment and the Tigers acquired Hicklen in another cash trade off the waiver wire.
Hicklen has appeared in 10 MLB games (with 17 plate appearances) over parts of three seasons, including a single game with Detroit this year. He has a .242/.351/.466 slash line over 1598 career PA at the Triple-A level, though his output at Triple-A Toledo (.227/.335/.394 in 254 PA) has been more modest in 2025. A heavy dose of strikeouts has limited Hicklen’s offensive output over his career, though speed is his primary calling card, with 118 steals to show for 129 attempts in the minors.
Between that baserunning prowess and his ability to play all three outfield positions, Hicklen is an interesting depth piece for the Phillies to stash at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He has appeal as a pinch-running bench specialist for the stretch run or during the playoffs, and Hicklen could be a replacement in Lehigh Valley if top prospect Justin Crawford gets the call to the majors in the near future. The Phillies are known to be looking for outfield help at the trade deadline, but they could address that need from within by giving Crawford his first crack at the Show.
Cusick has now been designated four times in the last two months, and the three previous trips to DFA limbo resulted in Cusick changing teams on waiver claims. Beginning the season on the Athletics’ roster, Cusick went from the A’s to the Tigers to the White Sox to the Phillies, with the right-hander’s arrival in Philadelphia coming in early June. Through it all, Cusick has a 7.99 ERA over 23 2/3 combined minor league innings in 2025, so his frequent roster changes might well be having an impact on his performance.
Selected 24th overall by the Braves in the 2021 draft, Cusick went to the A’s as part of the Matt Olson trade package. He is still awaiting his MLB debut after amassing a 5.40 ERA over 246 2/3 minor league innings, as Cusick has been hampered by some severe control issues. Past history suggests he could again get claimed by another team looking for bullpen depth, and Cusick’s first-round pedigree is recent enough that he might still have some late-bloomer appeal.
That Cash fellow sure gets traded alot!
As does PTBNL.
Hey! P.T Bee-Ennell works hard for his roster spot each season!
Let’s be real. He’s the only player to ever play 6+ decades, played for all 30 teams probably in some cases hundreds of stints with one team. Guys after him like Edwin Jackson and Jesse Chavez and Rich Hill, none of them got nothing on PT Bee-Ennell.
How does Milwaukee keep missing this rare talent? Obviously his folks knew about his destiny and named him that.
Although he’s only like 8 maybe 9 months old my 2nd cousin’s middle name is Cash. I hope he becomes a baseball player and he goes by his middle name Cash and if and when he would be traded. The article title could be Cash traded for Cash …. Considerations.
Poor Brewer I feel so bad for him. He was originally in the royals farm system. in 2020 when there was no Minor League season he had to get a secondary job because he didn’t have his measly income from Minor League games and then he makes his major league debut and doesn’t get his first hit and then they basically just never gave him a chance
Brewer has the speed to be a real good outfielder. Can hit some, too. Just needs a chance to play.
It’s great to see, that the Tigers are making moves to win the World Series !!
Wouldn’t get your hopes up for anything of significance by the trade deadline
I never do. I believe Harris is happy to ride it out with what he has.
The Tigers will make money this year, and that’s what it’s all about.
Watch out 2026 !! 🤣
Its funny that fans are so willing to easily accept this. You have the best pitcher in the game and 2 or 3 guys having a break-out. You potentially could have home field throughout, and you’re just like, “its ok, let the team make a few bucks this year and if it doesn’t happen with who we have, we’ll get’em next year”.
If I were a Tigers fan, I would be furious!!! Get me players now!! Its possible that everyone other than Skubal regresses and you may not be in this position again for a decade
That’s not how it works in Detroit.
Also…….that Skubal guy you talk about, is only on the team until about a year from now, if Harris wants to get anything for him.
Need to trade him back to Milwaukee with that first name!
Does “brewer” have a meaning other than “maker of beer?” If not, why would you name your kid this?
How about Grower?
The same goes for naming your child, ‘Cooper’.
The dictionary definition of cooper is “a craftsman who makes or repairs wooden casks, barrels, tubs, and similar containers. This trade has historical significance, especially in the production and storage of liquids like wine and whiskey.”
His brothers are named Jerker, Sucker and Hozier.