Trade bait: 4 top prospects Phillies should consider putting on the trade block

With the Philadelphia Phillies core and the majority of the lineup locked in for the 2024 season, the front office will have to get creative to make significant upgrades. Dave Dombrowski has already come out and said he's focused on fringe roster moves rather than a big splash. But Dombrowski has been known to keep his cards close to his chest, and he is, most definitely, not afraid to take a big leap in the trade market.

The Phillies are in a bit more unfamiliar territory this offseason than in the past. They have four Top 100 prospects as ranked by MLB Pipeline, with a few others just outside the Top 100. The organization has the prospect depth and the financial wherewithal to go out to the trade market and make a big splash this offseason.

The big question that plagues the Phillies and most other World Series contending teams is, how much of the future do you mortgage to capitalize on a window that is clearly open today? Phillies fans will remember the early 2010s when Ruben Amaro Jr. depleted the farm system to make major upgrades in the hopes of capturing another World Series title, just for it to fail and kick off an 11-year playoff drought. It’s a fine line that MLB front offices have to tiptoe constantly.

But there's no doubt that the Phillies are in a prime window of opportunity to win the World Series.

We recently looked at the top prospects the Phillies should absolutely not include in a trade. While one of the most difficult jobs of a front office is to upgrade the Major League team without sacrificing too much of the farm system and the future, Dave Dombrowski and general manager Sam Fuld will surely turn over every rock to do so. The four prospects listed here might be a good place to start.

Carlos De La Cruz, OF/1B, No. 6 prospect

Carlos De La Cruz is one of the most intriguing prospects in the Phillies farm system. Standing at 6-foot-8, he has an intimidating presence, and his raw abilities are astonishing to watch. When he gets a hold of a ball, it leaps off the bat and flies.

In 129 games at the Double-A level, the right-handed De La Cruz hit 24 home runs, accumulated 67 RBI, and a respectable 54 walks. But he struck out 160 times at a 27.5 percent rate, which is just not going to cut it at the next level. That being said, the 27.5 percent strikeout rate is the lowest of his career and down from a career-high 40.3 percent in 2021 while in A-level ball.

There has been constant improvement from De La Cruz, and he has shown he’s willing to work. The big problem for the Phillies is that he projects out to a corner outfield spot or first base, both of which are occupied for the foreseeable future and are likely the easiest to replace on the free agent market at the lowest cost.

With the clog at the positions he plays, there may be an organization that is intrigued by his raw power and skill and think they can develop him enough to be a contributor in the Majors for a long time.

Johan Rojas, OF

While not technically a prospect any longer, Johan Rojas is still green enough to find a place on this list.

Rojas earned his spot as the everyday center fielder this season and into the playoffs, mainly because of his stellar defense. Who can forget him tracking down the ball, up against the wall in Game 4 of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves with the game on the line against the NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr.?

Rojas is one of those special defensive talents that make even the hardest of plays seem simple. His speed is a valuable asset in the outfield but also on the base paths, swiping 14 bases in just 59 games at the big league level.

But in order to be a menace on the bases, he has to get hits and get on base. Rojas made the jump from Double-A to the Majors, and it may have been premature from an offensive standpoint. In 13 games during the playoffs, his lack of offense was exposed, slashing .093/.114/.276. Providing just about nothing at the plate proved to be detrimental.

It’s clear the Phillies organization values the young 23-year-old center fielder, but that also means some other teams will as well. He was a top 10 Phillies prospect before losing his status, and with his experience in the Majors, he may be the highest-valued position player prospect in the organization who can garner a lot of trade capital.

There may be an opportunity for the Phillies to have him as a centerpiece of a trade package and flip him for a bonafide starter. He’s one of those young players that trading too early could come back to haunt the Phillies, but that’s exactly why they may want to capitalize on his value today.

Símon Muzziotti, OF, No. 8 prospect

Símon Muzziotti, a 24-year-old left-handed outfielder, has been in the Phillies farm system since 2016. He has gradually climbed the ranks, getting better and better each year. He finally reached Triple-A in 2022, playing five games for Lehigh Valley, before getting a full season with the IronPigs in 2023.

He didn't disappoint this past year, slashing .296/.358/.761. He doesn’t have much power to speak of, only hitting seven home runs, but he had kept his walk rate at a solid 8.6 percent and his strikeouts to a relatively low 15.5 percent rate over 124 games. His bat-to-ball skill is where he contributes the most and he plays a plus outfield, showcasing his speed and defensive instincts.

For whatever reason, the Phillies haven't given Muzziotti an extended look at the Major League level — he had nine games in 2022 in which he hit .143 — and would likely be one of the first players to go in a potential trade.

Muzziotti's ready to contribute to a big league club, whether as a fourth outfielder or being given a chance to prove his recent development can translate to being an everyday player. Teams that might not necessarily be in World Series contention would value his versatility and the potential that he could continue to develop into a serviceable, less expensive piece.

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