3 Phillies trades for an outfielder to pair with a bad contract to lower the price
The Phillies can lower the price of an outfield trade target if they take on one of these bad contracts.
The Philadelphia Phillies are in the mix for some outfield help. The move to first base for Bryce Harper opens up the door for Kyle Schwarber to find his rightful place at the DH spot. The Phillies now only have days to declare the position change a success or not. In the meantime, they need to look for a true outfielder.
They can definitely pay the full price in prospects to fill this need or the Phillies can add someone’s dead weight to lighten the blow. This equates to taking on a bad contract to pair with a nice-fitting outfielder for the roster.
Any of these three pairs of Phillies trade targets would fit this description.
1) Phillies trade for an outfielder and a bad contract: Tyler O’Neill and Steven Matz
Far more realistic than picking up Nolan Arenado or Paul Goldschmidt from the St. Louis Cardinals would be to acquire outfielder Tyler O’Neill. The Cardinals have had a plethora of young talent on their major league roster and high minors since the start of last season. Hesitant to part with too many of them, the club has missed out by putting a little too much faith in those young kids this season.
The Cardinals will be trade deadline sellers and right-handed hitting outfielder and two-time Gold Glove winner Tyler O’Neill is one of those players who could be on the move. A free agent after the 2024 campaign, he’d be a piece the Phillies get to enjoy now and for another year after this.
Paired with O’Neill in this trade would be taking on the contract of Steven Matz. Phillies fans will remember him most from his days with the New York Mets. His time with the Cardinals, which began last year, has been horrific. Now 6-10 with a 4.88 ERA in 36 starts and another 13 relief appearances, he’s a burden they’d probably prefer to move on from.
Matz is owed another $25 million after this season. It’s not an albatross contract yet a massive overpay for a guy who, at his best, would be a fifth starter. The Phillies could choose to dump him and pay the money. The other option is to see if a change of scenery helps at all.
Considering the .311/.415/.593 hitters have slashed against him at Citizens Bank Ballpark, he might not last long in a Phillies uniform.
2) Phillies trade for an outfielder and a bad contract: Lane Thomas and Patrick Corbin
A far more notorious contract than the Steven Matz deal is the money the Washington Nationals are paying Patrick Corbin. In three of the last four seasons, including the ongoing campaign, he has led the league in hits allowed. The man has gotten hammered after the 2019 season. The Nationals owe him another $35.41 million next year.
The burdensome Corbin contract would help give the Washington Nationals some relief even if they can part with a portion of the remainder of the deal. For the Phillies to take it on, they need to get outfielder Lane Thomas.
Controlled through the 2025 season, Thomas has exploded this season and is well on his way to setting multiple career highs. He’s no stranger to getting dealt at the deadline. He was in a similar situation as O’Neill with the Cardinals in 2021 when he was sent to Washington in exchange for Jon Lester. Since joining the Nationals, he has slowly gained more attention as a guy who can hit for some pretty decent power.
The good thing about this trade is the Phillies are getting a stud who is playing well this year and should remain on the roster. The bad, of course, is how much payroll Corbin will eat up next year. Is it worth it?
Corbin is a one season problem for the Phillies. They’d probably need to send the Nationals at least one halfway decent prospect to make this work if only because it’s a trade within the division. It seems like the Phillies would have nothing to lose but cash and maybe one or two mid-level prospects. It’ll be worth it.
3) Phillies trade for an outfielder and a bad contract: Randal Grichuk and Antonio Senzatela
Colorado Rockies outfielder Randal Grichuk is an increasingly popular trade piece any team looking for corner outfield help will be considering. The Coors Field numbers might score off a few general managers from paying too much money. If, perhaps, the Rockies are looking to get out from under some guaranteed money they have on the books, pairing him with pitcher Antonio Senzatela is one direction they could go to ultimately determine the winner in this minor sweepstakes.
Grichuk is probably the most ideal fit for the Phillies. He’s a pure rental and even with all of the suitors he’s not going to cost a whole lot. A willingness to take on the full Senzatela contract could lower the price.
Senzatela is already out for the rest of this season and has $36 million guaranteed to him over the next three seasons with a team option for 2027. He has been a typical Rockies pitcher. He owns a 4.87 ERA in parts of seven big league seasons. His 101 ERA+ and 4.41 FIP suggests he’s much more average than anything else.
The length of the Senzatela deal might be a little troublesome, but the Phillies could view him as a reclamation project who just needed to get out of Denver. Maybe turning him into a reliever is even the best course of action to take.
The absolute downside here is you have to really believe in Grichuk and not give up too many prospects whatsoever to take on the Senzatela deal. Yes, it’s only money. But we know all owners have a limit.
We could always look at the Phillies taking on Kris Bryant’s deal, but let’s not waste two seconds even considering it. Bryce Harper might convince us it’s worth the risk to bring his childhood friend to Philly.
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