3 best Phillies trade targets to pluck away from division rival Mets
The Phillies have a few trade targets to seek out on the Mets roster.
José Bautista. Asdrubal Cabrera. Turk Wendell. Lenny Dykstra. All of these players and more have been traded from the New York Mets to the Philadelphia Phillies in the middle of the season. The circumstances have differed. The plausibility of the two cutting a deal exists.
The Mets have yet to confirm whether they’ll be buyers or sellers. They trail the Phillies and other more serious Wild Card contenders, but high expectations and a massive payroll could have them pushing the boundaries further. All it takes is one winning streak for them to become buyers.
The exact opposite is true, too. A losing streak out of the All-Star break makes the Mets a team for the Phillies to pluck away at. They have a couple of trade targets Philadelphia should already have an eye on.
1) Phillies trade target on the Mets: David Robertson
Hello, David Robertson, our old friend. We’ve come to trade for you again. Acquired from the Chicago Cubs last year, Robertson is yet again a match for the Phillies this season. The urgency isn’t quite the same with All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel shutting down opponents in the ninth. Robertson is, however, a superb alternative in case of an injury and a proven setup man.
The Phillies are going to add to their bullpen this summer. Why not do a three-peat with Robertson? He’s 2-2 this season with a 2.06 ERA in 39.1 innings of work. While sharing the closer duties in Queens with Adam Ottavino at times, he has been the most exceptional reliever in New York’s bullpen and their best trade asset.
Phillies fans may feel some hesitation at revisiting him. His numbers were deceptive with a 2.70 ERA looking fine but the 3.71 FIP telling us how much he had to work out of jams. Which version of Robertson would show up if he returned to Philadelphia? It’s worth finding out.
2) Phillies trade target on the Mets: Mark Canha
Outfielder Mark Canha has been a big disappointment for the Mets this season. This is partly because he was so good for them in 2022. His .245/.345/.403 slash line at the break is actually close to the .248/.348/.424 he has hit in his career, one spent mostly with the Oakland Athletics. He plays mainly left field but is capable of providing innings as a center fielder and even as a first baseman.
The match for the Phillies is obvious as it would upgrade their defense in left field and maybe even at first base. There are a lot of possibilities.
Taking Canha away from the Mets would be especially helpful for the end of the year when the two clubs square off in a pair of series at the end of September. Shovels treat dirt better than Canha does Phillies pitching. He has a tendency to come up with clutch hits against Philadelphia. The lifetime numbers against the Phillies are on-par with his totals against everyone combined.
It’s those plate appearances when he does come through that have made a difference. A 4-RBI performance earlier this year during a sweep against the Phillies was rock bottom for Philadelphia and, ironically, the top of the mountain for the Mets.
Canha could be a rental or someone the Phillies choose to bring back next season. He has a player option for 2024 that is trending toward a buyout. If the Mets are indeed selling, he’s one of the players they’ll definitely look to move. Could they send him to Philadelphia? It shouldn’t cost a whole lot.
3) Phillies trade target on the Mets: Tommy Pham
If the Phillies are going to think about trading for Mark Canha, they might as well make Tommy Pham a target, too. Pham is batting .277/.350/.485 through his first 234 plate appearances this year. His 9 home runs and 34 RBI have come as a pleasant surprise to a Mets team that expected him to be their fourth outfielder and occasional DH. Instead, he’s starting games for them all over the outfield and rarely finding a spot on the bench. In fact, he’s one of the main reasons why Canha is riding the pine more often.
Pham might not be quite as ideal for what the Phillies need and yet he seems as much of a “Philly guy” as anyone else they could possibly add at the trade deadline. Tough and tenacious, he’s a man who reads the fantasy football rule book and will take action against anyone who bends the rules.
Signed through only this season, Pham should be a popular trade piece and would cost more than Canha at this time. The smaller hit to the payroll plus the better overall year should have teams turning toward him first instead of Canha.
The Phillies can’t go wrong with either. It’s clear that depth is something the bench needs. Kyle Schwarber continues to roam somewhat aimlessly in left field. Finding a replacement is a necessity. Pham could be an answer for them.
Next. Starting pitchers. 3 perfect starters to target, 2 the Phillies should avoid. dark