Why Phillies won’t trade for an 'impact' player at the deadline

The MLB trade deadline is only days away on July 30 at 6:00 p.m. ET. There were some deals on Friday, including one involving the Philadelphia Phillies. The club solved its outfield platoon situation with Brandon Marsh, acquiring Austin Hays from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for reliever Seranthony Domínguez and reserve outfielder Cristian Pache.

Before the trade, the Phillies appeared less likely to trade for an outfielder rumored to be traded such as the Chicago White Sox's Luis Robert Jr. or Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the Miami Marlins. Philadelphia doesn't need to make a big acquisition on paper to improve their ball club.

Why Phillies won’t trade for an 'impact' player at the deadline

The Phillies' preference to keep their top prospects will result in not acquiring an impact player

According to The Athletic's Matt Gelb, the Phillies prefer to keep the top three players in their farm system (subscription required), pitcher Andrew Painter, shortstop Aidan Miller and outfielder Justin Crawford, with the organization. Due to this, Philadelphia is unlikely to make a blockbuster trade involving one of their three top prospects.

Trading for Robert or Chisholm comes with a bit of risk as both have dealt with injuries during their respective careers. Philadelphia's roster is one of the best in the league and they don't need to make a big trade for the outfield.

The acquisition of Hays represents the top of the under-the-radar moves that the Phillies can benefit from without sacrificing one of the top three players in their farm system. He can provide production as the right-handed hitting option in a platoon with Marsh, or become the everyday left fielder. The roster need became a priority for the team rather than simply acquiring one of the top available outfielders.

Philadelphia will seek to upgrade its bullpen before the trade deadline, with closers such as the Marlins' Tanner Scott and Carlos Estévez of the Los Angeles Angels expected to be dealt. The Phillies are not expected to trade Painter, Miller, or Crawford if they acquire one of these two relievers. According to Gelb, they could pursue Washington Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan in a trade.

One of the relievers rumored to be dealt is Mason Miller of the Oakland Athletics, who recently suffered a fractured left pinky finger. The pitcher would require the Phillies to trade one of Painter, Miller, or Crawford but Philly is not expected to pursue him even before his injury. It is not certain that Oakland is looking to trade the talented pitcher.

Considering the Phillies have resolved their outfield situation following the Hays acquisition, they are less likely to be involved in any headlining blockbuster deals leading up to the July 30 deadline. Then again, they don't need to be to improve the roster.