The MLB trade deadline is three weeks away on July 30. The rumors continue to run wild about what the Philadelphia Phillies will do to upgrade their roster to help fuel their playoff push. The consensus is that the club president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski will acquire another outfielder.
Philadelphia has been connected in trade speculation with the Chicago White Sox's Luis Robert Jr., Cody Bellinger of the Chicago Cubs, the New York Mets' Harrison Bader, Brent Rooker of the Oakland Athletics and the Miami Marlins' Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Dombrowski has a reputation for making big deals involving top prospects. The Phillies' top players in their farm system have been mentioned in mock trade proposals in exchange for outfielders who are in rumors to be dealt.
Phillies Rumors: MLB insider says top prospect Aidan Miller will be traded
MLB insider Jim Bowden believes the Phillies' No. 2 prospect, shortstop Aidan Miller, will be traded by the trade deadline, believing that the Phillies will acquire one of Bellinger, Chisholm, or Robert.
Bowden commented on Sirius XM's MLB Network Radio that Dombrowski and general manager Sam Fuld have been working on improving the Phillies' outfield situation.
"The one thing I know about is that when he targets something, he'll get it," Bowden said. "And when he targets it, it's not going to be a risk. It's going to be the best. When he targets the best, he gets the best. So Dave is going to get one of those three guys. That's my best guess for the Phillies at the trade deadline, they get one of the three.
"I don't know which one, and it's going to cost them because when they're done making that deal, they're gonna end up having to put Aidan Miller in it and they're going to have to put in one of their top pitching prospects too. So it's gonna be a price, but they're gonna pay it."
Jim Bowden on the Phillies Deadline plan:
— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) July 7, 2024
“They really wanna figure out center field. And so Luis Robert of the White Sox, Jazz Chisholm of the Miami Marlins and Cody Bellinger of the Cubs have been their top priority.” pic.twitter.com/Hga23E1xVv
Judging from Bowden's comments, fans of the ball club who hope to see Miller continue to develop will not get to see him blossom further into a potential star in a Phillies uniform. Very few prospects have risen in the MLB prospect rankings during the season as quickly as the 20-year-old infielder. His excellent season is why he has become more of a target for the front offices of struggling organizations.
The young shortstop had a successful development in Single-A with the Clearwater Threshers. Miller's line of .275/.401/.483 and .884 OPS in 39 contests helped earn him a promotion to the Jersey Shore BlueClaws in High-A in June. He, along with Jersey Shore outfielder Justin Crawford, will represent the Phillies in the 2024 MLB Futures Game on July 13.
Despite the presence of Turner at shortstop for several more seasons, Philly should avoid trading Miller. However, it's becoming more apparent that they will, much to the chagrin of Phillies fans who don't want that to happen.
The organization has a logjam at shortstop in their farm system. Miller, Starlyn Caba, Devin Saltiban, Bryan Rincon, William Bergolla, Robert Moore and José Rodríguez are the prospects in the Phillies' MLB Pipeline Top 30 listed as capable of playing short. Not all these players may make the majors or succeed at that level. Philadelphia's current number-two-ranked prospect is generating the most buzz among scouts and front offices throughout the league.
The Phillies don't necessarily need to make a big deadline trade to improve their outfield. Acquiring a pending free agent such as Bader or the White Sox's Tommy Pham is a more conservative approach that may not require a top prospect such as Miller, Crawford, Caba or Eduardo Tait.
While it's risky for Philly to part ways with Miller to any organization, it could be even riskier if they are considering trading him to a division rival, the Marlins, for Chisholm. Would the Phillies be satisfied with seeing one of the top prospects continue to develop into a potential star with an NL East foe?
If the club acquires a player such as Chisholm or Robert who has club control beyond this year, what does that mean for the future of Rojas with the Phillies? Will they let him continue to develop in Triple-A this year? Could he remain on the major league roster and play less often in center field?
Will Rojas begin to receive reps in left or right field so he can play if manager Rob Thomson wants to give Marsh or Castellanos a day off from playing in the field? Acquiring the Marlins or White Sox outfielder creates questions for the future of the 23-year-old. The Dominican Republican native has played 22 contests in left field and 27 career games in right during his time in the minors.
The Phillies will aim to resolve their outfield situation within a few weeks. Whether fans like it or not, the price may involve parting with Miller. If Dombrowski trades away the young infielder, the deal better propel Philadelphia to a minimum of a championship this year.