Phillies sim trade: Boosting the outfield with Starling Marte
The Phillies first mock trade of the season is a big one that will solidify the outfield.
We are representing the Phillies in the 2019 FanSided Offseason Sim, during which the experts for each site act as the general managers, wheeling and dealing on the trade and free agent markets.
To kick off the sim, we have our first of several moves made official, and it’s a hefty one.
The first trade of our offseason simulation will net the Phillies outfielder Starling Marte and reliever Keone Kela from the Pittsburg Pirates.
Here’s the breakdown of the full deal.
There’s a lot going on in this trade, so let’s break it down.
The Phillies center field job is currently split between Adam Haseley and Scott Kingery. By adding Marte, the Phillies secure a two-time Gold Glove winner who is capable of hitting .300 with 20 home runs and 20 steals. He’s under contract through the 2021 season with a $12.5 million option, giving the Phillies some long-term security in the outfield.
Philadelphia also adds right-handed reliever Keone Kela, who will turn 27 in April 2020 and is in his final year of arbitration.
Kela has pitched five seasons for the Rangers and Pirates, and in four of those seasons he has an ERA under 3.30. In 2018 with the Rangers Kela saved 24 games, but struggled in save situations in 2019.
Last year Kela had a 0.96 ERA in 18.2 non-save situation innings compared to a 4.09 ERA in 11 save situation innings. After July 24, batters had a .131/.232/.197 slash line against Kela.
It is important to note that Kela was suspended multiple times last season due to confrontations on and off the field. The team suspended him for two games due to an altercation with a front office member and he was suspended for 10 games after the Pirates/Reds brawl.
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In terms of what the Phillies gave up, it’s quite significant on the surface. Adam Haseley was their first round pick in 2017 out of the University of Virginia, and he solidified himself late last season in center field. Marte would take the starting job from Haseley, so moving him hurts a little less.
Philadelphia still has Jay Bruce and Roman Quinn on their 25-man roster to fill holes in the outfield.
Philadelphia has a trove of young catching prospects stuck behind J.T. Realmuto, which makes moving Deivy Grullon more palpable. The 23-year-old catcher hit .283 in Lehigh Valley last year with 21 home runs, and had one hit in nine major league games late in the season.
Catching prospects Rafael Marchan, Logan O’Hoppe, and Rodolfo Duran can fill the catching void in the Phillies farm system.
Kendall Simmons, a 19-year-old shortstop in Low-A Williamsport who hit .233 in two seasons, was requested by Pittsburgh in the deal. There was no hesitation in moving a player not ranked among the organization’s notable prospects.
Perhaps the biggest name in the deal is right-handed pitcher Adonis Medina, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Phillies second-best pitching prospect. With top prospect Alec Bohm, Spencer Howard, and Bryson Stott off the table, Medina was the best option available for Pittsburgh.
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Philadelphia needs young pitching, but they can’t wait and hope that Medina comes up in a year or two to contribute. Owner John Middleton is ready to win now, and if that means moving Medina, who has a 4.53 ERA in his last two seasons, then I’m not complaining.
Pitching prospects are tricky, and if the Phillies can sell high on Medina in order to win now, it’s worth it. Kyle Drabek was certainly worth the price of Roy Halladay, and neither Phillippe Aumont nor JC Ramirez were worth trading Cliff Lee to Seattle.
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Overall this trade stings the Phillies weak farm system by trading their second best starter and one of their best catching prospect, but it helps them win now. Marte is a bona fide starting center fielder who fills a big need long-term and Kela adds depth to an injury-riddled bullpen.