Trade deadline talk? In May? That’s like eating dinner at 3 pm. Alas, even with the trade deadline way out in the distance, the greatest needs for the Philadelphia Phillies are glaringly obvious.
The Phillies look exactly how many people thought they would. They are hanging around .500 and going through stretches where they play up to their opponent and win or play down and take a bunch of losses.
This club is very capable of making the postseason, but it’s going to take some improvements from current members of the roster and some additions midseason. They may, however, find themselves out of the playoff picture sooner than they’d like. In which case, a whole different kind of trade deadline need emerges.
The Philadelphia Phillies bullpen needs help, again.
The Phillies bullpen hasn’t been good since they were the Quakers. At least, that’s how it feels with this club. Regularly the Achilles heel over the last few years, the additions the club brought in over the offseason haven’t panned out perfectly.
While there have been positive moments from closer Corey Knebel, he looks like a one-year buy to move on from. He is not a solution at the closer spot, nor should anyone expect him to be. Jeurys Familia has been fine for middle relief innings when you just need someone to get you through a game. Then there’s Brad Hand, whose control has been an issue despite some other positive numbers.
Yet again, the Phillies need to add some relief pitchers at the trade deadline. It’s not entirely uncommon for any club. Relief pitchers are the toughest to predict on a yearly basis. If all you need is to improve your bullpen in July, your club is in pretty good shape.
The Phillies could definitely use a few other upgrades, but realistically, it’s the bullpen they’d be most apt to improve. There is, however, one position on the field they should be in the trade market for.
The Phillies need to search the center field market for some help.
Although Mickey Moniak could always save the Phillies in center field, it wouldn’t hurt to look at what else is out there. A good center fielder is hard to find. Bad teams typically don’t have very many good options on their rosters either.
A quick scan of some potential options includes available pieces like Enrique Hernandez of the Boston Red Sox or Kevin Kiermaier of the Tampa Bay Rays. Both are playing poorly to begin the year, which probably won’t excite too many Phillies fans at the prospect of adding either. However, it does mean each would come cheaply. The Rays are getting a whole lot more out of Manuel Margot anyway, making their far more highly-priced outfielder, Kiermaier, trade fodder.
The Phillies are trying to make it with starts in center field from Odubel Herrera and Roman Quinn. Matt Vierling didn’t work out at the position even though he had every opportunity early on this season to win the job.
The Phillies don’t need to acquire a superstar for the position. They just need someone competent. They need a guy that can hit .240 and play good defense. Otherwise, the hole at the position will probably remain, and the club will begin their search at the position yet again next winter. Keep your fingers crossed that Moniak turns out to be the answer.
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.