Ranking 5 rumored Phillies outfield targets ahead of trade deadline
There are five new names connected to the Phillies' rumored search for outfield upgrades.
The Philadelphia Phillies have recently been the subject of trade rumors, with MLB insiders reporting that the Phillies are in the market for outfield upgrades ahead of the July 30 MLB trade deadline. While names like Luis Robert Jr., Kyle Tucker and Tommy Pham have been making the rounds for a few weeks now, former general manager Jim Bowden of The Athletic ties the Phillies to five new names in the impending trade market (subscription required).
The outfield has been solid defensively all season, but offense has been a different story — collectively, Phillies outfielders are hitting .231 with a .650 OPS.
With Brandon Marsh and Trea Turner likely to return sometime in the next week, the Phillies have some interesting roster decisions to make that could spell the end of the line of one or more members of the current 26-man roster. The Phillies will be forced to choose between designating either Cristian Pache or David Dahl for assignment in the coming days.
It's possible that the players Bowden has connected to the Phillies better represent the team's longer-term post-All-Star break plan.
Ranking 5 rumored Phillies outfield targets ahead of trade deadline
Bowden knows a thing or two about roster construction thanks to his time as a former general manager with the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals. Still well connected, Bowden no doubt has some insider knowledge of what some present general managers are looking for ahead of the trade deadline. He says the Phillies are "trying to improve their outfield with either an offensive upgrade in center field or by adding complementary outfielders."
He mentions Robert Jr. and Pham, but with their prices likely being so high, he also dropped five new names the Phillies might target.
No. 5: Brendan Donovan, STL
Brendan Donovan's inclusion on Bowden's list is a bit of a head-scratcher. While Donovan has experience at every position, with the exception of pitcher and catcher, his profile as a player seems to be nearly identical to that of current Phillies super-utilityman Whit Merrifield. Unless the team is looking to cut bait with Merrifield after a slow start (unlikely), a move for Donovan seems like a bit of a long shot.
The 27-year-old Donovan is currently hitting .248 with five home runs, and 29 RBI through his first 242 at-bats. A left-handed hitter, Donovan hit 11 home runs last season while driving in 34 runs in 95 games, and played all over the infield.
This doesn't seem like a move that fits the Phillies' current needs, with Merrifield, Edmundo Sosa, and Kody Clemens all carrying the same type of positional versatility. In the unlikely event that the Phillies try to make a move for Donovan, a mid-level prospect would probably get a deal done.
No. 4: Jacob Young, WSN
Jacob Young is a rookie outfielder who has experience at all three positions during his limited time in the majors. A seventh-round pick of the Washington Nationals in 2021, Young hit for a decent average at the lower levels of the minor leagues, showcases gap power, and is a serious threat on the base paths.
In 89 career MLB games, Young has hit .255 with 72 hits, 15 doubles, 28 RBI and 30 steals. While he has yet to hit a home run in his first 282 career at-bats, he has stolen 30 bases and has only been caught four times.
Despite the positional versatility in the outfield, trading for Young doesn't seem like a move that makes sense for the Phillies. Would trading for Young be an upgrade over Johan Rojas or Dahl? It doesn't look like a fit.
No. 3: Gavin Sheets, CHW
The Chicago White Sox are likely to have a major fire sale soon after starting the season with a record of 17-52 and holding the dubious honor of being the worst team in MLB. With Luis Robert Jr. and Tommy Pham likely to be traded, Gavin Sheets could be attractive for teams looking for some added power at both positions.
The 6-foot-5 Sheets has a .240 batting average with seven home runs and 28 RBI in 204 at-bats on the season. Overall for his career, Sheets has hit .231 with 43 home runs and 158 RBI in 360 games. He has spent most of his time in right field but makes the occasional start at first base.
A move for Sheets would make sense if the Phillies decided to find a left-handed platoon partner for Nick Castellanos, but there has been zero indication that the front office or manager Rob Thomson are currently considering such a move. Sheets is still on a pre-arbitration contract, so a trade would probably require a decent prospect. Gavin Sheets for Griff McGarry?
No. 2: Jake McCarthy, ARI
Jake McCarthy, 26, is a name that Phillies fans might want to file away. The Scranton, PA native was drafted in the first round in 2018 by the Arizona Diamondbacks and made his debut in 24 games during the 2021 season. He's hitting .272 this year with a .745 OPS and three home runs in 60 games this year.
McCarthy is the definition of a platoon outfielder, with little power but a lot of speed to steal bases and cover ground in the field. He's coming off two consecutive seasons with 20-plus steals and has nine already this season.
The left-handed hitter would make sense for the Phillies if they decide to move on from Pache and Dahl and carry a more conventional fourth outfielder for the second half. A mid-level prospect would probably get a deal done if the Diamondbacks decide to sell at the deadline.
No. 1: Lane Thomas, WSN
Phillies fans are sure to know the name Lane Thomas. The right-handed hitting outfielder has been a member of the rival Washington Nationals since 2021. Following strong seasons with the Nats in 2022 and 2023, Thomas has struggled mightily through the first three months of this season, only batting .225 with four home runs and 18 RBI in 151 at-bats.
Thomas' drop in production this season has come as kind of a shock, as he hit .268 with a career-high 28 home runs, 86 RBI and 20 stolen bases last year and was considered a snub after not getting a spot on the National League All-Star team. The 28-year-old's 16 stolen bases this season will likely see him easily surpass his 2023 total, and his ability to play all three outfield spots speaks to his overall versatility.
Given that he's arbitration-eligible for the first time at the end of this season, it would probably only take one top-10 prospect to get a deal done if the Nationals make him available.
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