4 blockbuster trades to make the Phillies no doubt World Series favorites

OF Luis Robert Jr. and RHP Michael Kopech, Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox will be a major player in the seller’s market come the trade deadline. They have many valuable pieces that could be quite attractive to contending teams, including outfielder Luis Robert Jr.

When healthy, Robert can significantly impact the game with his elite combination of power and speed. The former Gold Glove winner can also provide strong defense with his career .989 fielding percentage and 15 DRS.

The Phillies shouldn’t just stop at Robert, as they should work to acquire flamethrower Michael Kopech as well. The former first-round pick has the ability to wipeout opposing hitters with his 100 mph four-seam fastball.

Converted from a starter to a reliever in 2024, Kopech has struggled a bit in his new role, posting a 2-8 record with a 5.05 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. However, that could be in large part due to his team's performance this year (think Jordan Hicks last year with the struggling St. Louis Cardinals). Nevertheless, he definitely has the stuff to dominate with 56 strikeouts in just 41 innings.

With rumors indicating that the White Sox are looking for multiple top 10 prospects in return for Robert, adding in Kopech as well will mean the Phillies need to pay a king’s ransom for the duo.

At least one top pitching prospect (Andrew Painter or Mick Abel), one top positional prospect (Aidan Miller, Justin Crawford or Starlyn Caba) and an additional two to three players from the Phillies’ prospect pool (including another top 10 prospect) could be needed to get things done. If Philadelphia truly believes this is the all-in year for them, they just might need to take that chance.

OF Brent Rooker and RHP Mason Miller, Oakland Athletics

Although the Robert-Kopech combo sounds like an unbeatable package, it may come with some concern given Robert’s injury history. If the Phillies don’t want to take any chances with potential health issues, another big combo that could perhaps match or maybe even beat the White Sox duo is outfielder Brent Rooker and reliever Mason Miller from the Oakland Athletics.

Rooker may not be as defensively sound as Robert, as he has seen more time as a designated hitter in recent years, but he can still hold his own in the field with a decent .978 fielding percentage with six outfield assists in 130 total games. More importantly, his bat can closely match Robert, with the ability to average 30+ home runs and 80+ RBI over a 162-game pace. 

But what may actually put this package over the top is the inclusion of 25-year-old sensation Mason Miller. With the ability to hit above 100 mph consistently with his fastball, he has become one of the most dominant closers in just his second season in the league.

The 2024 All-Star has been unstoppable this season, sporting a 2.27 ERA, 0.86 WHIP along with a whopping 70 strikeouts in just 39 2/3 innings pitched. Added to the fact that he has years of control all the way through the 2029 season, it makes Miller a super-valuable piece not only for just this year but for potentially multiple future years, helping any team to extend their contention window.

This Athletics combo won’t come cheap. Ruben Amaro Jr. suggested on The Phillies Show podcast that the Phillies need to be willing to part with one of their top prospects in Painter, Miller, Abel or Crawford for both Rooker and Miller. But let’s face it, with prices likely to go up, Philadelphia will likely need to add another top-10 prospect plus change to get any discussions started.

OF Lane Thomas and RHP Kyle Finnegan, Washington Nationals

It may feel like a drop-off compared to the previous blockbusters, but the Washington Nationals' duo of Lane Thomas and Kyle Finnegan will be no slouch when it comes to filling the Phillies’ needs.

Thomas seems like a downgrade from Robert and Rooker, but he actually brings something that neither of the other two can: valuable positional flexibility. Thomas has had ample experience playing in all three outfield positions, whereas Robert has played mainly in center while Rooker has mainly been a DH. Therefore, he would give the Phillies plenty of lineup options down the stretch.

Thomas had a strong 2023 season, in which he hit 28 home runs and drove in 86 runs in 156 games. He may be struggling to replicate those numbers this year, but perhaps a change of scenery could help kickstart his bat. One thing that has remained, though, is his speed on the basepaths, already with a career-high 24 stolen bases.

As for Finnegan, he has established himself as one of the top closers in the game this season. He's currently third in the league in saves with 26. With career bests in ERA (2.43) and WHIP (1.03) with 42 strikeouts in 40 2/3 innings of work, Finnegan has been able to accomplish it without a mesmerizing triple-digit fastball. He is also a big reason why the Nationals are somehow still within 5.0 games of a Wild Card.

The slight drop-off in the overall impact of this package may work in the Phillies’ favor because it would mean the prospects package that they offer doesn’t need to be as crazy as the previous two. Something along the lines of a top positional prospect among the likes of Caba or Gabriel Rincones Jr., and a top pitching prospect not named Painter should be enough to get the deal done.

OF Randy Arozarena and RHP Pete Fairbanks, Tampa Bay Rays

Randy Arozarena had been most well-known for his monster performance in the 2020 MLB playoffs when he joined the Rays for the stretch run that season. There’s no doubt he'll be hungry to have the chance to compete in the postseason once again with a club like the Phillies.

The former All-Star and AL Rookie of the Year has the ability to produce 20+ home runs, 80+ RBI and 25+ stolen bases per season. In addition, Arozarena can provide more than adequate defense as a corner outfielder, with a career .992 fielding percentage and 23 outfield assists across 499 games.

For Fairbanks, he has been a mainstay in the Rays’ closer role. He started 2024 slowly but has since reverted to his usual dominant self. In 34 appearances, Fairbanks has a 2-3 record, 17 saves, a 3.21 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 32 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings. His effectiveness involves offering an even mix of his four-seam fastball and slider. Giving hitters a different look could pay off in the long run if Fairbanks is needed more frequently.

Given that Arozarena and Fairbanks match closest to the profile of the Nationals’ duo of Thomas and Finnegan, the trade package that the Phillies need to offer up should reflect in a similar fashion. To complete the deal, the Phillies will likely need to include Abel and perhaps one of Caba/Rincones and/or catching prospect Eduardo Tait, as the Rays lack quality catching depth in their organization.