Major League Baseball's trade deadline is less than a week away. With the days winding down until next Thursday, July 31, fans are hoping the Philadelphia Phillies' roster looks a little different by this time next week.
It's well known that the Phillies are shopping for bullpen help. Signing free agent David Robertson was a good first step, but they still need more. There's also a chance that Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski will try to acquire an outfield bat, although it's hard to say how much of an impact name he'll be looking for.
The 40-man roster should look different at the trade deadline with these Phillies players possibly moving on
With new players (hopefully) coming in to join the 26-man roster, there will be movement on both the active roster and the full 40-man roster over the next week. There are some names on the 40-man roster who might find themselves moving as July 31 approaches and after the 6:00 p.m. ET deadline next Thursday passes.
Mick Abel, RHP
Right-hander Mick Abel is a prime candidate to be suiting up for a different organization after the trade deadline. The rookie starter, ranked No. 5 in the Phillies MLB Pipeline prospects, made a name for himself with his impressive start to his big league career. Despite finding some struggles and being sent back down to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Abel remains an intriguing trade piece for the Phillies.
After struggling with his command at the end of his first extended look with the Phillies, the 23-year-old looks like he has righted the ship in Triple-A. In two starts since his demotion, Abel has gone six innings in each outing, recording nine strikeouts, just three walks, and no runs. The return to form, even if it's in the minors, has boosted Abel's trade stock. In 12 Triple-A starts, Abel is now 7-2 with a 1.86 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 69 innings.
Ready, willing and (Mick) Abel 🔔
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 20, 2025
6 IP
2 H
0 R
2 BB
5 K
The @Phillies' 2020 first-rounder lowers his Triple-A @IronPigs ERA to 1.83 across 12 starts this season: pic.twitter.com/bKcBJ0zB8s
The Phillies are going to have to part with prospects for MLB help. Even though Abel has a 5.04 ERA in the bigs, he's only six starts into his MLB career and has flashed the upside that other teams will be interested in adding to their 40-man roster. With No. 1 prospect Andrew Painter still on the untouchable list, Abel should be ready to pack his bags just in case.
Max Kepler, LF
Seeing Max Kepler booted off the 40-man roster is something that Phillies fans are waiting to see. The 32-year-old outfielder hasn't been able to put much of anything together at the plate this season after signing a one-year, $10 million contract. Slashing .203/.300/.366 with 11 home runs and 32 RBIs, the veteran outfielder has been unable to hold onto the everyday job in left field, something he feels strongly about.
There's a chance the Phillies walk away from Kepler, despite still owing him the remainder of his salary. Unless they can throw him in a trade, an outright release seems to be the only way they'll get out from under his underwhelming season. After going 0-for-4 in Wednesday's series finale loss to the Boston Red Sox, including striking out for the final out of the game, fans have their fingers crossed.
With No. 3 prospect Justin Crawford awaiting his chance in Triple-A, if the Phillies don't acquire a new outfielder at the deadline, Kepler could find himself replaced by the speedy youngster.
Jean Cabrera, RHP
As far as Phillies pitching prospects go, right-hander Jean Cabrera is a decent bet to be off the 40-man roster after July 31. Since signing as an international free agent in 2019, Cabrera has worked his way through the farm system and is having his best year so far in Double-A Reading.
What a performance from Jean Cabrera👏
— Reading Fightin Phils (@ReadingFightins) July 12, 2025
6.0 IP | 3 H | 1 R | 6 K pic.twitter.com/K24Q15dxJV
Pitching to a 3.63 ERA in 18 starts, the 23-year-old has 90 strikeouts in 96 2/3 innings. While he has 46 walks, Cabrera has never struggled with command in previous seasons, and he has held Double-A hitters to a .204 batting average.
The Phillies' No. 12 prospect offers a five-pitch mix that features a two-seamer, a four-seamer, a plus sweeper, a plus changeup, and a cutter. As the highest-ranked Phillies pitching prospect after the injured No. 7 prospect Moisés Chace (who is out until next season after Tommy John surgery), Cabrera's name will surely come up in trade talks over the next week.