With the MLB trade deadline just a little over a month away, contending teams will be busy looking for upgrades to bolster their rosters for the stretch run. Despite having great success already this 2024 season, the Philadelphia Phillies will no doubt be looking for potential pieces to fit in their final roster puzzle to help round out the team. So what exact pieces are they interested in pursuing?
Well, according to MLB insider Jim Bowden, the Phillies had made things clear that they are looking for help in the outfield. In particular, Bowden believed that not only will they be looking for a backup fourth outfielder, but also a starting outfielder as well.
MLB insider reveals Phillies’ trade deadline shopping list
”In the case of the Phillies, they’ve made it very clear. They want to upgrade the outfield, that’s what they want,” Bowden said recently on MLB Network Radio. “I don’t think they’re getting enough offence that they want, overall, in the outfield, and so I think they’d like to get a starter and I think they’d like to get a fourth outfielder. And it’s not because that’s my opinion, it’s because that’s what they tell me.”
In terms of acquiring a fourth outfielder, it makes total sense for the Phillies as Cristian Pache, Whit Merrifield and more recently David Dahl haven’t really been lighting things up this year in the reserve role. All of them had been hitting close to the Mendoza Line and have combined together for just five home runs and 20 RBI in 73 total games. Although one may argue that the main purpose of a reserve player is to primarily provide solid defense, at least some respectable level of offensive output is still expected. Therefore, they have failed miserably in that regard.
With regards to the Phillies’ starting outfield trio in Brandon Marsh, Johan Rojas and Nick Castellanos, all three of them have had their ups and downs so far in 2024. Both Rojas and Castellanos had horrendous starts to the year but have since turned things around a bit. However, Rojas’ limited offensive potential still leaves a lot to be desired despite his elite defense. As for Castellanos, he appears to be headed back into a funk again as he hit just .125 with one RBI and 10 strikeouts in the past week.
Marsh has been the most consistent one of the trio in terms of offense and defense this year, hitting a solid .256 with a .748 OPS along with 21 runs scored, six home runs, 26 RBI, eight stolen bases and 7 DRS in 54 games played. However, he has had trouble staying healthy as he underwent arthroscopic surgery in his left knee in spring training, as well as landing recently on the IL due to a right hamstring strain before being activated just this past weekend.
It would certainly be ideal if the Phillies can land a proven outfielder who could contribute both offensively and defensively, while pushing one of the starting trio into a reserve role to strengthen the overall outfield depth of the team. Someone like Tyler O’Neill from the Boston Red Sox would be a perfect candidate to pursue. Nevertheless, whatever happens, look for the Phillies to be active participants at this year’s trade deadline to ensure that they have the best possible, well-rounded group heading into the postseason.