The Philadelphia Phillies need to shake things up. They’ve run back the same uninspiring core for five straight seasons, and the exact same flaws are destined to sink them once again in October. Fans are tired of the status quo, and considering the sorry state of their farm system, trading a player or two off of the major league roster may be one of the only ways to acquire meaningful upgrades at the trade deadline. Let’s dive into a few of those big league contributors who could find themselves changing uniforms next week.
Justin Crawford
The Phillies came into this season with a trio of very exciting prospects in Andrew Painter, Aidan Miller and Justin Crawford. Unfortunately, none of them have done anything to move the needle for the major league club. Painter pitched so poorly in his first taste of the majors that he was demoted back to Triple-A, while Miller has yet to see the field due to a lingering back injury. Crawford has been by far the best of the three, but that doesn't mean much.
The 2022 first-round pick was given the Opening Day center field job and has done little more than tread water in his first half-season in the majors with a .642 OPS. Still, Crawford is just 22 years old and was a top-100 prospect in the sport as recently as last year. There’s no reason for the Phils to give up on him yet, but if another team is willing to accept him as the starting point in a deal for an established centerfielder (Byron Buxton?) they need to consider it.
Gabriel Rincones Jr.
Poor Gabriel Rincones. The 2022 third-rounder made a name for himself by demolishing minor league pitching in his first three professional seasons, and looked to be a future long side platoon guy in the coming years. Unfortunately, a season-ending injury to Adolis García caused Rincones to be rushed to the majors, and things have not gone well. In his first 28 games in the Show, he’s posted an ugly .171/.207/.293 slash line with just two home runs.
The Phillies need to be willing to part with major league pieces to upgrade their roster at trade deadline
Rincones is just 25 years old and it’s hardly fair to judge him based off of such a small sample at the highest level. In time, he could still blossom into the "three true outcomes" masher the Phillies dreamed of. Unfortunately, they don’t have the luxury of time, as their competitive window is actively closing. It may behoove them to include the high-upside outfielder in a deal for a more reliable bat.
Bryson Stott
Long gone are the days of the Phillies daycare, when charming youngsters Bryson Stott, Alec Bohm and Brandon Marsh thrilled fans with their exploits. Marsh has developed into an All-Star this season, but Bohm has completely bottomed out, while Stott remains maddeningly mediocre. The 28-year-old’s slick glove and excellent eye keep him a net positive, but second base is still a position that could be upgraded.
That opportunity may present itself before the trade deadline if the Phils decide to go after a hitting machine like Luis Arraez. It wouldn’t be outlandish to see Stott going the other way in a trade for a difference-maker at the keystone.
Brandon Marsh
Brandon Marsh’s infectious energy made him a fan favorite as soon as he was acquired at the 2022 deadline, and his breakout year has completed his evolution into one of the most beloved players on the squad. The former top prospect earned his first ever All-Star nod this season and has already matched his career-high with 16 homers on the year.
It would seem counterproductive to trade away one of the few productive hitters in the Phillies’ dreadful lineup, but sometimes it takes a massive package to acquire a true impact player. If an elite Byron Buxton-type player becomes available, his team would certainly want an established major league contributor in return. If the cost of bringing in a superstar is parting with (the currently slumping) Brandon Marsh, so be it.
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