Phillies: MLB Insider Expects They'll Be 'Aggressive' at Trade Deadline

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With the Philadelphia Phillies having the fifth-best postseason odds among National League teams, according to Baseball-Reference — and the 2021 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline less than two weeks away — the Dave Dombrowski-led organization has positioned itself to being buyers rather than sellers.

MLB insider Jon Heyman joined SportsRadio 94 WIP Monday afternoon to discussing rumors regarding the team, which has won 11 of its last 15 games and four consecutive series for the first time since 2018. The baseball scribe expects Dombrowski and his baseball operations department to be busy in the coming days.

“They are going to make moves. They’re in it to win it,” Heyman said. “You don’t hire Dave Dombrowski if you’re rebuilding, so I expect them to be aggressive.”

Heyman identified the team’s “obvious” needs, include improving the bullpen, acquiring another starting pitcher (Cole Hamels, perhaps?), and somehow improving the defense. With Jean Segura, Didi Gregorius, and Rhys Hoskins as all-but-locks in the infield, Heyman notes landing a “very good centerfielder” as one way to bolster the defense.

“We know they have inquired on [Starling] Marte and certainly would love [Byron] Buxton if he’s out there,” Heyman said. “A great centerfielder would help. It still wouldn’t make their infield defense great, but in that division, anybody can win at this point.”

Jon Heyman thinks the Phillies have a ‘decent’ chance to win the NL East.

The Phillies have drastically improved their postseason outlook in recent weeks — not just because of their improved play against contenders such as the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, and Boston Red Sox, but also because of obstacles their division competition has faced.

“I don’t think Washington is going to be good enough. They have too many problems with [Kyle] Schwarber and [Stephen] Strasburg out. Atlanta seems jinxed this year. They lost [Mike] Soroka for the year; [Marcell] Ozuna, obviously, that’s a mess. Beyond injury, he has domestic violence issues. I don’t think we’re going to see him anytime soon. [Travis] d’Arnaud has been out. They have too many problems. … The Mets have had a lot of issues and injuries. You give them credit for resiliency, but how long can that go on? For a while, they were without [Michael] Conforto, [Jeff] McNeil, and [Brandon] Nimmo. Now, they are without [Jacob] deGrom and [Francisco] Lindor. I don’t think that’s a great ‘trade’ for them. I thought the Mets were going to hang on, but I’m not so sure now.

Heyman believes the Phillies “certainly have a shot,” and he gives them a “pretty decent chance” to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2011 — especially if they acquire pitching help.

“The defense is going to be tough to fix,” he says, “but the pitching … there are enough good pitchers out there — particularly relievers, where I think they can make some significant improvements.”

Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with Craig Kimbrel #46 (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

Could the Phillies acquire both Kris Bryant and Craig Kimbrel?

Two of the All-Star-caliber players linked to the Phillies in recent weeks (and arguably years, for some) include infielder/outfielder Kris Bryant and closer Craig Kimbrel — both Chicago Cubs, for now.

Regarding Bryant, in particular, while the Washington Nationals and New York Mets have been looked at as two of the better fits for the four-time All-Star and 2016 National League MVP, Heyman has heard there are “many teams” in on him.

“Beyond third base, he can play the outfield. He loves center, as he said at the All-Star Game,” Heyman continued. “He can play right and left — basically anywhere but short or catcher. [The Phillies] haven’t been great at third this year. This is the year before [Bryant] is a free agent, so I wouldn’t rule the Phillies out as a fit there.”

Phillies fans have made it known on social media that they would love to get both Bryant and Kimbrel, an eight-time All-Star and 2018 World Series champion with Dombrowski and the Red Sox. Heyman said he does not know the feasibility that the now-Phillies executive could get both in a trade, but did not rule out one or the other.

“[Bryant to the Phillies] does make some sense,” Heyman said. “I can’t see them giving up Bohm for a rental, but I think it is possible that they have enough prospects to get it done. To get both, at this point, you’d be talking about some really big prospects going back there for two of the more viable players on the trade market.”

Cole Hamels #35 of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /

The Phillies are among many MLB teams interested in Cole Hamels.

Former Phillies World Series MVP Cole Hamels recently threw in front of several teams at his Texas showcase late last week. Heyman says the southpaw threw about 90 miles per hour, and with his great changeup, he surely could help someone.

“There were 20 teams [attending], so I wouldn’t count on that a likelihood for Philly,” Heyman said. “Obviously, [the Phillies] are familiar with him and know him better than most. They definitely need pitching. It doesn’t have to be Hamels or former World Series MVPs. They need pitching, particularly in the bullpen.”

It is worth noting that Hamels was seen in the Philadelphia area on Monday.

The biggest ‘bang’ for the Phillies’ buck will be improving the bullpen.

Heyman said that he believes the bullpen is the Phillies’ “obvious” area of need, and that is more likely they focus on that and get pieces over anything else.

“That may just be enough because their bullpen is very improvable. There’s a lot of room for improvement. there, so it makes the most sense,” he said. “Their bullpen is easier to improve than their defense … they are not good defensively. Their infielders are all good hitters, but they’re really not great defenders, generally speaking. I think centerfield is an obvious area where they can improve offensively and defensively with one player.”

The Phillies might finally go over the luxury tax threshold.

Any move the Phillies make in the coming days will put them dangerously close, if not past the luxury tax threshold for the first time in franchise history. Heyman gives the Phillies front office and ownership credit for spending on marquee free-agents — such as Bryce Harper, Zack Wheeler, and Andrew McCutchen — in recent offseasons to win.

“They really got out there and spent. I give them credit, so I’m not going to rip them on this like I would other teams — let’s say the Cubs and Yankees, who have even more money to spend,” continued Heyman, who noted he does not necessarily view it as a “negative” if the Phillies do not go over the threshold.

“Many other teams, I think it’s ridiculous they are adhering so strictly to that threshold. I see nothing wrong going over the threshold,” Heyman noted. “We’re talking about pennies for teams that are worth billions.”

For Dombrowski, getting the Phillies difference-making players — thus putting them over the threshold for a potential division-clinching run — would surely be worth the extra millions.

“Even if it means just winning the division and not really being a World Series contender, there is nothing wrong with that,” Heyman said. “A couple of million bucks should be nothing for a team that spent $330 million on one player.”

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