Phillies trade rumor: Club looking to upgrade catcher

PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 06: Andrew Knapp #15 of the Philadelphia Phillies rounds second after hitting a three run home run in the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 6, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 06: Andrew Knapp #15 of the Philadelphia Phillies rounds second after hitting a three run home run in the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 6, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

The latest Phillies trade rumor has them taking a close look at the bench.

As the Phillies continue to slip in the National League East standings, the latest Phillies trade rumor has them looking for a new backup catcher.

Amid the rumors leading up to Kansas City Royals catcher Martin Maldonado being traded to the Chicago Cubs, Royals beat writer Jeffrey Flanagan mentioned the Phillies as a potential landing spot.

According to Flanagan, who covers the Royals for MLB.com, the Phillies were scouting the Royals and searching for catching depth.

J.T. Realmuto, the Phillies lone all-star, obviously has the starting job locked in for the long-term, but the backup catcher job has been a revolving door for years.

Andrew Knapp has kept a loose grip on the backup job, which he lost last year when the club traded for Wilson Ramos.

Knapp, a career .216 hitter, won the backup job over Rob Brantley in spring training, but hasn’t provided much as a hitter or defender behind the plate. He’s hitting .167 this year with one home run and providing little value other than energy on the bench.

Look for another Phillies trade rumor regarding catching depth as the trade deadline creeps closer. Philadelphia is on the brink of the playoffs and without Realmuto they’re far from a playoff team.

The catcher trade market is weak, especially after Maldonado was traded to Chicago. Neither the Orioles, Royals, Marlins, Mets, Padres, or Tigers have a catcher on the block or even worth trading for.

Phillies to be aggressive with pitchers in the trade market. dark. Next

Philadelphia will have to get creative at the trade deadline, especially when it comes to their bench.