Philadelphia Phillies: 3 most obvious trade deadline needs emerging

The Phillies need to sell and restock the farm if they fall out of the playoff race.

Let’s say the Phillies are not looking like a playoff team at the trade deadline. Then what? Do they try anyway? Absolutely not. This is the year to take a step back and sell a few pieces to rebuild the farm.

The Phillies have a lot of important upcoming free agents and even guys with team options such as Aaron Nola and Jean Segura. The team shouldn’t undergo a complete rebuild, but they should shop players they don’t intend to pick up options on or extend. This could include Zach Eflin, Kyle Gibson, and any of the relievers they signed to one-year deals.

Even someone like Rhys Hoskins should be on the table. As much of an important piece as he could be moving forward, trading him now and opening up first base could allow the Phillies the flexibility to move Nick Castellanos or Kyle Schwarber there next year. This could then lead to the Phillies doing the right thing and add true outfielders and not DHs to the roster.

Regardless of how the team is playing, we shouldn’t expect a massive sell-off this summer. They have more than enough good players still under contract. They did just sign a couple of pieces to multi-year deals, after all. Only one step back is all they should take.

The worst thing the Phillies can do at this year’s trade deadline is nothing at all. They aren’t good enough to win a World Series as currently constructed. If it’s clear their odds at even getting a crack at the postseason is out of reach, selling a few parts to restock the minor league system is the right thing to do.