The MLB trade deadline passed a week ago, and the Philadelphia Phillies made four trades. Dave Dombrowski didn’t necessarily make any big moves, but the Phillies’ president of baseball operations addressed areas of need.
Dombrowski acquired Austin Hays, Carlos Estévez and Tanner Banks while shipping away Seranthony Domínguez, Cristian Pache and Gregory Soto.
Dave Dombrowski made right call to protect Phillies’ top prospects at trade deadline
The organization was able to acquire two minor-league players in the Soto trade. 25-year-old right-handed pitcher Seth Johnson and 21-year-old right-handed pitcher Moisés Chace joined the Phillies’ farm system. Johnson is now the No. 10 prospect in the organization while Chace is the No. 25 prospect, per MLB Pipeline.
The Phillies did part with three prospects as part of the deadline deals. Dombrowski sent a pair of 22-year-old pitchers to the Los Angeles Angels to acquire Estévez. Right-hander George Klassen was the Phillies’ No. 7 prospect while left-hander Samuel Aldegheri was their No. 12 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. Dombrowski also sent infielder William Bergolla, who was the Phillies’ No. 11 prospect, to the Chicago White Sox to acquire Banks.
There’s one thing that Dombrowski didn’t want to do at the deadline. Trade the future away. There were rumors that the Phillies were interested in some impact players which would’ve required the organization to part with one or even multiple top prospects. Names like Andrew Painter, Aidan Miller, Justin Crawford, Starlyn Caba or Mick Abel would’ve had to be included in a package.
“We have some guys that I really didn’t want to trade,” Dombrowski said about how protective he was of the organization’s top prospects, per Phillies Nation's Tim Kelly. “They’re our upper echelon of guys, and that’s why I’m absolutely thrilled that we made the moves we made.”
The Phillies do have a very good team despite their struggles since the series before the All-Star break. Dombrowski didn’t need to acquire a big-name player at the deadline because they already have a lineup full of big names. The front office can look into signing an impact player in free agency during the offseason while being able to keep their top prospects in the organization.
Dombrowski seems to be very happy with the Phillies’ current roster and farm system. He should be happy. The stars need to step up and play the way everyone knows they can play. This team is too good to be losing as much as it has these last seven series.
Although they might be bummed, Phillies fans should appreciate Dombrowski for protecting the future of the Phillies.