FanGraphs has massive Phillies trade deadline prediction

With both the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins making their first moves already in recent days ahead of the trade deadline, the Philadelphia Phillies look to counter in the coming days in preparation for the stretch run. In doing so, FanGraphs has proposed a potentially huge blockbuster deal between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Phillies.

The Phillies would acquire the reigning NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt from the Cardinals in exchange for three top ten prospects in their organization in Johan Rojas, Hao-Yu Lee, and Carlos De La Cruz.

By getting the seven-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glover, and five-time Silver Slugger, the Phillies would get their much-needed power bat in the heart of the order, as well as above average defence at first base. For 2023, Goldschmidt has had another solid productive season, hitting .283 with an .847 OPS, with 64 runs scored, 18 home runs, 64 RBI, and nine stolen bases. With the acquisition, FanGraphs also predicted that Bryce Harper would then move back into the DH role and have Kyle Schwarber fight for playing time with Nick Castellanos, who has been struggling with the bat recently.

That would actually make it kind of a funny proposition, because the Phillies prefer to have Harper at first base so that they could get Schwarber’s mediocre defence off the field and into the DH role. But the addition of Goldschmidt would ultimately reverse that move and create the same issue all over again. Unless of course, FanGraphs believes in the fact that the Phillies can outslug their opponents without worrying too much about defence overall.

However, if the Phillies do in fact do the unthinkable and nab Goldschmidt, he represents one of the top superstars in the game, and very rarely are they available at the trade deadline, so he would definitely be one that would be difficult to pass up the opportunity on if given the chance. At the same time, the Phillies would need to give up three promising prospects, in particular the fast-developing Rojas who is already with the big league club and doing a decent job so far since his debut a couple weeks ago.

But more importantly, is Goldschmidt actually available for trade is the question. As highlighted by Fox2Now, because he has had 10 years of MLB service and five seasons with his current team, he has the right to veto on any trade proposed by the team up until the expiry of his contract. So whether this proposal by FanGraphs is just a fan’s dream, or one that can suddenly become reality, we will know in the coming days.