A new report by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale details the Philadelphia Phillies’ narrowing options for trade candidates. This comes as the July 30 trade deadline is quickly approaching. It has been widely reported that the Phillies want a right-handed outfield bat to platoon with Brandon Marsh in left field. This is because Marsh struggles against left-handed pitching. In 49 at-bats against left-handed pitchers this season, he has a .378 OPS and a 10 wRC+. Some of the names mentioned by other reporters for this role were ruled out by Nightengale. While Matt Gelb of The Athletic has stated that team control is not a factor, someone on an expiring contract is likely to fill this role.
MLB trade deadline filled with uncertainty as one of second half storylines https://t.co/ZWoFJ9T0g3
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 21, 2024
Meanwhile, another need has come into focus. After José Alvarado recorded his third blown save on July 19 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, adding a bullpen arm has become a top need. Alvarado has an 0-1 record with a 9.95 ERA and a 2.21 WHIP in his last seven appearances. Additionally, Alvarado has an 11.81 ERA and a 2.63 WHIP in six July appearances. Alvarado is 1-for-2 in save situations in July. While Alvarado is a great postseason performer, adding a high-leverage relief pitcher at the deadline would be a great move. This would also allow for more flexibility for manager Rob Thomson. The Phillies high-leverage relief group includes Jeff Hoffman, Matt Strahm, and Alvarado. Adding to this group can help the Phillies avoid past postseason mistakes.
Phillies Trade Candidates are Narrowing
Players The Phillies Are Interested In
In his report, Nightengale wrote that the Phillies have an interest in Miami Marlins closer Tanner Scott. Nightengale added that acquiring another high-leverage relief pitcher is a priority for the Phillies. This season Scott has a 6-5 record with a 1.30 ERA as well as 15 saves. Additionally, he is 15-for-17 in save situations this season, and he has a 339 ERA+. While the Marlins are also in the NL East, Scott is on an expiring contract, so the trade price should be reasonable. Scott was named to the All-Star team for the first time in his career. One concern with Scott is that his walk rate has increased this season while his strikeout rate has decreased relative to 2023.
All things considered, Scott would be a good addition for the Phillies. A minor issue is that it would make the high-leverage roles heavy with left-handers. However, that is not the worst thing when factoring in the lineups for the other National League powerhouses, the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Trading for Scott allows for the more strategic usage of left-handed relief pitchers. This could help the Phillies avoid the problem they ran into in the 2022 World Series. In that series, Alvarado appeared in four of the six games. This allowed the Houston Astros to notice trends since Alvarado usually faced the same part of the Astros lineup. This led to the Yordan Alvarez home run in Game 6 that solidified the series win for the Astros.
Players The Phillies Are Not Interested In
Nightengale also mentioned a few players the Phillies have been connected to, but the team actually has no interest in them. Nightengale outright states the Phillies do not want Marlins outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. at the trade deadline. This matches the reporting by Gelb that the Phillies are focused on a right-handed outfield bat. Furthermore, this would indicate the focus is on corner outfielders. Chisholm primarily plays center field. Furthermore, he has a worse OPS and wRC+ against left-handed pitchers than against right-handed pitchers this season. Chisholm does not become a free agent until 2027 and is currently on an arbitration contract.
While stopping short of outright stating the Phillies do not want Chicago White Sox outfielder Tommy Pham, it is mentioned by Nightengale that the Phillies “have shied away” from him. This supports reporting from Gelb that the Phillies will not be trading for the veteran. Pham fits the description the Phillies seem to be looking for, with a .848 OPS and a 141 wRC+ in 51 at-bats against left-handed pitchers this season. However, as Gelb implied, the Phillies do not believe Pham is a good fit for the clubhouse. Another previous Phillies trade candidate Nightengale mentioned is Oakland Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker. Nightengale wrote the Phillies see no fit for Rooker. It is worth noting Rooker has not played in the field since May 30.
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