Phillies avoiding rumored NL East center field trade candidate is good news

Outfield has been a position the Philadelphia Phillies are rumored to be looking to improve by the July 30 MLB trade deadline. The Chicago White Sox's Luis Robert Jr. and Cody Bellinger of the Chicago Cubs are a couple of players who have been mentioned as possibilities Philadelphia could look to add.

Another outfielder, Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the Miami Marlins, is reportedly available. Are the Phillies viewed as a potential suitor for the 26-year-old? Apparently not. Let's look at why the report they are not interested in adding him by the trade deadline is good news.

Phillies avoiding rumored NL East center field trade candidate is good news

According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Phillies have no interest in adding Chisholm to upgrade the outfield by the trade deadline. If this is true, it's good news based on a few factors.

The Marlins outfielder has had trouble remaining healthy during his career in the majors. In 2021, Chisholm played in 124 games. He was active for only 60 contests in 2022 and 97 last year. He has been relatively healthy so far in 2024, playing in 93 of Miami's 96 games.

Another factor in why it is considered a positive the Phillies are not interested in trading for Chisholm is how much they would need to trade for the Nassau, Bahamas native. Miami would likely request a trade package with Philly's No. 2 prospect, Aidan Miller.

While Philadelphia has shortstop Trea Turner under contract for several seasons, they should avoid trading the 20-year-old Miller. He could be a focal point for them to build around in the future if he lives up to his potential.

Third baseman Alec Bohm will be a free agent in 2027 and if the Phillies are unable to re-sign him, there could be an opening for Miller to play third. The organization may view him as a shortstop, but the 27th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft can play third base.

Philadelphia wants to win a championship now but also needs to keep an eye on building for the future as well. Their top three prospects based on MLB Pipeline's 2024 rankings, pitcher Andrew Painter, Miller, and outfielder Justin Crawford, are viewed as crucial to their future. Other players who are impressive this year include infielder Starlyn Caba and catcher Eduardo Tait. The latter, while still several years from reaching the majors, could be the Phillies' future starting catcher.

If the Phillies acquire a center fielder who has several years remaining on their contract such as Robert or Chisholm, what does the future hold for outfielder Johan Rojas? The native of the Dominican Republic is a better defensive center fielder than the Marlins utility player.

Miami has used the 26-year-old at second base and shortstop in addition to center field in previous years, while Rojas has been used primarily in center field. Playing multiple positions doesn't allow a player to become accustomed to one position, which may work against him.

Acquiring Chisholm goes against what Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said before spring training about Philadelphia wanting to give an opportunity to Rojas. The outfielder is 23 and may need a season or two before he reaches his potential as an effective player at the major league level.

Unless Philadelphia plays Rojas in left or right field after they traded for a player such as Chisholm or Robert, the 23-year-old's playing time in center with the Phillies will be affected. The injury history and potential trade package involved for the Marlins player should make Philly look elsewhere to improve their depth in the outfield leading up to the trade deadline.