Under-the-radar trade targets to shore up the Phillies bench
Let's take a look at some under the radar trade targets that are likely not on the top of everyone's list.
When you think of MLB trade deadlines, most people gravitate to the major moves where the superstar was traded to a contender and carried them on a playoff run like C.C. Sabathia to the Brewers in 2008, Ricky Henderson to the A’s in 1989, and Curt Schilling to the Diamondbacks in 2000.
However, most times, it’s the bench moves and fringe roster trades at the deadline that end up propelling a team to the next level and forcing a long playoff run. Last year, the Phillies acquired defensive minded infielder Edmundo Sosa, once-promising prospect Brandon Marsh, back-end starter Noah Syndergaard, and bullpen help in David Robertson. Not one of these additions forced the Phillies to mortgage the future by selling off multiple major prospects but each one of them had their own fingerprint on the World Series run that the Phillies embarked on last fall. Marsh and Sosa, and Marsh in particular, have factored into the 2023 season as well and have a chance to stick with the team for many more years.
Finding the balance between pushing the chips in for the star-studded addition and working the edges of the roster is a big part of the front office's job and can be the difference between a World Series run or a September collapse. It’s up to Dombrowski and Co. to dig deep into the pool of available players and decipher who are the diamonds in the rough that can help this team, even marginally, get into the playoffs. The Phillies should be looking for bench help that would solidify the roster and ensure there are no holes or drop off when Rob Thomson looks on his roster sheet for defensive replacements, pinch hitters, pinch runners, or simply guys to come in to spell the “every day” players. Let’s take a deep dive into the mid-tier, under the radar trade targets to sure up the 2023 Phillies bench.
1. Nick Senzel UTIL, Cincinnati Reds
The 28-year-old was drafted by the Reds 2nd overall in the 2016 MLB draft and has just not really clicked at the big league level in five seasons since his call up. Since the recent high-profile promotions of the Reds top prospects, Senzel has moved around the field looking for playing time but has recently been finding more time on the bench than ever before. On the season, he’s slashing .238/.310/.691 and you wonder why the Phillies would want to bring him in. Well dig a little deeper and against left handed pitching he’s hitting .355/.403/.1000. He’s the right-handed utility player the Phillies have been looking for this season that Sosa and Harrison has, unfortunately, not been able to live up to so far. Being able to turn to a dependable right-handed bat late in games that could also play plus defense at multiple positions will help Rob Thomson in late game situations.
2. Brendan Donovan – UTIL, St. Louis Cardinals
Likely a bit more costly in terms of prospects, Brendan Donovan is a super utility player who won the gold glove and came in third in Rookie of the Year voting last year. The Cardinals lack serious pitching depth, and the Phillies have the arms to match up to make a deal. The 26-year-old is batting .283/.368/.789 with 10 home runs and 30 walks. His value comes in stellar defense and the ability to be moved around the Diamond. This year alone he has played 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, LF and RF which is mind boggling just to type. This deal could look like something similar to the Marsh deal last summer where both teams give up young, controllable, and exciting prospects that help the other team.
3. Carlos Santana – 1B/DH, Pittsburgh Pirates
Another former Phillie on this list, the Pirates veteran first baseman will likely be dealt at the trade deadline. At the All-Star break the Pirates sit 8.5 games back of the division and eight back of the third Wild Card spot. He’s not having the most efficient year at the plate but the switch hitting first baseman is still at the top of the league in walks (26th in MLB) and pitches seem per plate appearance. But no matter what he does at the plate he provides plus defense at first which the Phillies can say they have not had in quite some time. According to ESPN, he currently ranks number 1 in dWAR for qualified first basemen with a 0.4 dWAR. The defense alone would bring much value to the Phillies especially if they plan on using Bryce Harper there most games. The switch hitting and plate discipline would be a cherry on top for this star-studded lineup.
4. Jorge Mateo – SS, Baltimore Orioles
This trade would be a true contender to contender, both teams win-now move. Baltimore would look to trade in on Mateos stellar defense and game changing speed for pitching depth or to fill other holes around the diamond. The Phillies would not be making this deal to bolster the offense, they would simply be looking for the 28-year old to bring his defensive minded glove to the infield in late game scenarios and for pinch running scenarios. Since the likes of Roman Quinn, the Phillies haven’t had game changing speed off the bench that they can plug in when needed late in winnable games. He currently sits with 22 stolen bases which ranks 7th in baseball and has been caught just three times. He boasts a 0.9 dWAR which ranks 9th amongst qualified SS in the MLB. Maybe the Phillies handcuff him to Kevin Long so he can work his magic and turn his .217 batting average and .268 on-base percentage into something more appealing as he did with Pache, Marsh, and some others on this team. The raw talent is there and the Phillies have the structure mold it into a major asset to this team.
Front offices make their money by finding valuable players on the fringes of the roster. By finding the right guys to be complimentary of and to fill in the holes left by the Superstars. Adding at the deadline doesn’t have to mean pushing all of your top end prospects in the middle of the table to add the one star. Building out a bench can be just as important and can push teams to the next level. The Phillies saw this first-hand in 2022. The team's front office will surely turn over every rock to determine the best moves to get this team to the next level.