Phillies trade rumor: Jay Bruce named a potential trade deadline chip

The Phillies may have to move a big bat to add pitching during the 2020 season

The Phillies lineup in 2020 projects to be one of the best in baseball, especially with the implementation of the designated hitter. But with a shortened season and a lack of starting pitching, the Phillies could divulge some of their power for a seasoned starting pitcher to get them into October.

Mark Feinsand wrote a piece on MLB.com examining one trade candidate for all 30 teams and named Jay Bruce the likeliest trade chip for the Phillies.

Feinsand notes that Bruce is an inexpensive option with Seattle still paying a majority of his three-year contract from the Mets, which ends after this season. At this point in his career Bruce is the prototypical DH option for any team and the Phillies now have 29 potential suitors for Bruce instead of just the American League clubs.

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Does trading Bruce make sense if the Philadelphia is in a playoff hunt come August 31, or should they go with the high octane offense offsetting questionable pitching?

If the Phillies traded Bruce, it would mean a couple of things have happened. One is that the team has stayed healthy through the COVID-19 pandemic and that none of their big bats have gone silent with little time to ramp up for the season. It probably means that Rhys Hoskins, Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, and Andrew McCutchen are all clicking offensively.

It would also mean that the team is comfortable with their other options in the outfield, which would be Adam Haseley, Roman Quinn, and whichever outfielders stick on the 60-man roster. That could be Nick Williams, Mikie Mahtook, or Kyle Garlick. Philadelphia’s minor league outfield depth is probably one of the worst in the league with former number one overall pick Mickey Moniak not even making the 60-man spring training roster.

Removing Bruce from the roster also means that top prospect Alec Bohm has come up and earned an everyday role, whether it’s at third, first, or DH.

Adding the DH solved a lot of issues for the Phillies, including adding a spot for Bohm. It could take Jean Segura or Hoskin’s glove off the field but keep their bats in the lineup. It also gives Bohm live at-bats during a year with no minor league season.

So if the Phillies are going to trade Bruce, it means that a lot of things are clicking and that he’s expendable.

It also means something went wrong with the starting rotation or bullpen and the team is desperate for some help. Whether that’s a pitcher going down, opting out, or failing to perform, trading away one of your biggest bats for an arm might become more of a necessity than a luxury.

Trading Bruce in the right situation does make sense given he’s on the last year of his deal and he’s limited defensively. If there’s a team that needs a DH or a left-handed bat that can move an arm the Phillies might have a deal to be made.