That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

3 A’s players we’d love to see on the Phillies if Oakland has a fire sale

By Gabrielle Starr

Sep 12, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Lou Trivino (62) reacts after the final out of the top of the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Lou Trivino (62) reacts after the final out of the top of the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next

The Philadelphia Phillies should attempt to make a trade with the Oakland A’s

When the MLB lockout ends (it has to end sometime, right?), the Philadelphia Phillies have a lot of work to do.

Their current projected lineup has more holes than swiss cheese, especially with regards to the outfield and Designated Hitter, which is presumably returning to the National League. They also still need pitching.

While the Phillies try to build, their former city-mates, the Oakland A’s, formerly of Philadelphia and Kansas City, are readying to rebuild. The first step? Everything must go.

This week, MLB Trade Rumors released their ’14 Likeliest Trade Candidates After the Lockout,’ and unsurprisingly the list was overflowing with A’s, five of them, to be exact.

Now, of course, the A’s are expected to have a fire sale and rebuild. The problem with any trade is that the Phillies would have to send something in return. It’s a sticking point for a mediocre team with a lackluster farm system.

Lack of trade chips aside, here are three A’s we’d love to see become P’s!

1. Matt Chapman / 3B

The Phillies currently have a struggling Alec Bohm at third base, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be interested in Matt Chapman, who is an infinitely better defender.

In only five seasons in the majors, Chapman already has three Gold Gloves and a pair of Platinum Gloves, even more impressive considering they were back-to-back. He also won the Wilson Overall Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2018, and was an All-Star in 2019.

While Chapman has had some injuries over the years, he’s played 145+ games in each of his three full seasons in the majors (he debuted mid-2017, and 2020 was only 60 games), and hit 24+ home runs in each of them. Even though he had a somewhat down year offensively in 2021, he hit 27 home runs and drove in 72 RBI, both the second-highest of his career.

Chapman could replace Bohm at third, leaving the young Phillie to focus on hitting as their new DH. Eliminating the stress of playing defense might make it easier for Bohm to fix his offense, and get his fledgling career back on track.

Home/Phillies News