Phillies rumors: Latest reports have club heavily pursuing right-handed power bat
The MLB trade deadline is right around the corner, and there are reports that the Phillies are looking into adding another right-handed outfield bat before the clock ticks down on August 1.
After the recent revelation (subscription required) of the team's desire to add a right-handed bat by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Scott Lauber, Anthony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors expanded on the corner outfield options the Phillies could be looking into.
The team's plans of acquiring a corner outfielder would take some pressure off newly-minted first baseman Bryce Harper, who wouldn't have to push himself to return to the outfield before his elbow is ready.
The move would also help improve the team's outfield defense. As Franco points out, and as every fan can see, having Kyle Schwarber patrolling left field isn't ideal for a team that hopes to contend. The 30-year-old's -17 Defensive Runs Saved ranks him dead last among outfielders, as do his -15 Outs Above Average and -14 Runs Above Average.
Will the Phillies make a deal with division rival Mets?
Two names being kicked around are Tommy Pham and Mark Canha from the shockingly bad New York Mets.
Pham is hitting .271/.355/.472 with nine home runs, 35 RBI, 11 stolen bases and 129 wRC+ in 75 games. After a slow start, the left-fielder turned it on and hit .349 with six home runs in June. The home run numbers don't knock your socks off, but the 35-year-old is making some of the best quality contact of his career, with a 93.2 mph average exit velocity and 12.5 percent barrel rate.
While Canha's offensive numbers aren't great, with a .238/.338/.381 slash line, six home runs and a 105 wRC+ in 83 games, his defense would be a welcome addition. The 34-year-old has made 58 appearances in the outfield this season, and his five Defensive Runs Saved as an outfielder would be a vast improvement over Schwarber.
Other right-handed outfielders the Phillies could land
Franco also mentions that Randal Grichuk of the Colorado Rockies has had a good year, especially against lefties. He's hitting .302/.363/.479 in 58 games this season, with a .338 batting average versus southpaws.
Teoscar Hernández, hitting .245/.296/.426 with 16 home runs, may also be available if the Seattle Mariners fade from the Wild Card picture over the next week. The 30-year-old slugger would benefit from a move out of T-Mobile Park, the most pitcher-friendly venue in the majors, to hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park.
Despite being on a rehab stint, the Oakland Athletics Ramón Laureano can potentially be a valuable platoon bat. He's hitting .271 in 33 games against left-handers, but with a .189 average against righties, his usefulness at the plate is limited. His real value would be his glove, with 10 Defensive Runs Saved in 52 games in the outfield this season.