That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies trade rumors: Is another outfielder worth it?

By George Stockburger

CHICAGO, IL - JULY 28: Curtis Granderson #18 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 28, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Blue Jays 9-5. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JULY 28: Curtis Granderson #18 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 28, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Blue Jays 9-5. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Another veteran could impact the Phillies in more ways that one, but the latest Phillies trade rumors have been cold

Phillies general manager Matt Klentak has been a busy man over the last three weeks, acquiring Asdrubal Cabrera, Aaron Loup, Wilson Ramos, and Justin Bour to fortify the Phillies for an unexpected postseason run, and making Phillies trade rumors a good thing.

Philadelphia has been connected to dozens of players at the midseason trade deadlines, including several veteran outfielders. Specifically, Curtis Granderson and Adam Jones.

Several reports say Jones rejected a trade to Philadelphia, using his 10-5 rights as a veteran to stay 100 miles south in Baltimore for a team on a historic losing pace.

Now, both outfielders, among others, have cleared trade waivers and are eligible to be traded to any team.

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But do the Phillies need another outfield bat to sit on the bench?

Right now the Phillies have Rhys Hoskins, Odubel Herrera, Nick Williams, and Roman Quinn on the 25-man roster. When the roster expands in September, Aaron Altherr is likely to rejoin the team after being demoted this summer.

Phillies outfielders have hit a combined .246 this season, although some of their young bats have produced better at times. Nick Williams is hitting .305 since July 1, and Odubel Herrera started the season hot hitting .343 in his first 27 games.

Granderson doesn’t have great numbers this year with a .236 batting average, and none of his splits against NL East opponents are great. Philadelphia could get him from Toronto for next to nothing, a career minor leaguer or cash considerations.

BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 14: Adam Jones #10 of the Baltimore Orioles hits a home run against the New York Mets during the sixth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 14, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 14: Adam Jones #10 of the Baltimore Orioles hits a home run against the New York Mets during the sixth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 14, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Jones would be more of an impact bat hitting .285 with 13 home runs this season for the Orioles. In 54 games against the Nationals Jones is a .321 hitter, and in Nationals Park he’s hit .343 in 25 games.

It’s more than just a numbers game from a production and quantity standpoint with the outfield. Someone like Jones or Granderson brings another veteran voice with playoff experience to the clubhouse, and perhaps one could influence a young player in a major way.

Looking at you, Odubel.

Six men in the outfield would be a crowded bench with Hoskins, Herrera, Williams, Quinn, Altherr, and a veteran. Perhaps Dylan Cozens is another option, so make that seven outfielders on an expanded roster.

There’s not enough playing time for six outfielders, let alone seven with young players needing at-bats going into the most important month in the last five years for this franchise.

Next. Five trade targets for Phillies for August waiver deadline. dark

Keep the veteran bats in mind as the August 31 trade deadline approaches, but don’t be surprised if the Phillies don’t make another move.

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