Philadelphia Phillies: What should the strategy be heading into the trade deadline?
The 2022 MLB trade deadline is just two weeks away, and the Philadelphia Phillies face a tough decision regarding how they want to approach it. The season hasn’t gone the way they expected so far, losing Jean Segura, Zach Eflin, and, obviously, reigning MVP Bryce Harper all for extended periods of time; and yet, despite these injuries, the Phillies are heading into the All-Star break with a record of 49-43. This is what makes the deadline difficult for Philadelphia.
The Phillies have the option to trade for expiring rental pieces, players can help this season or going forward, or they can do nothing and ride with this current team. Obviously, the third scenario mentioned is the inexcusable nightmare scenario. The Phillies are too good to not pursue more talent at the deadline. There is also no mention of selling, of course, because, even if the team went winless between now and the deadline, with their record, and the reinforcements coming off of IL, this team is again too good to take that approach.
This leaves Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies with effectively two options. Trade for a rental, as in an expiring player, or trade for a player(s) who can help not only this season but going forward as well. There’s a strong case to be made, either way, depending on how one views not just this season but the offseason as well.
The Philadelphia Phillies’ front office must pick a direction heading into the trade deadline as they look to acquire more pieces.
Both options are admittedly intriguing. Obviously, going the rental route, as the Atlanta Braves did just last season, is an example of recent success to point towards. After the Braves lost Ronald Acuña Jr. last season, they went out and traded for three rental outfielders, Jorge Solar, Joc Pederson, and Eddie Rosario. All three of these players contributed to the Braves’ eventual World Series Championship run that same season.
The parallels are evident as instead of Acuña, Harper is the star on the IL, but The Phillies would still have to find the right rentals. Likely an outfielder, an infielder, and a starting pitcher. With plenty of future rentals available this season, the Phillies would certainly have plenty of options. The issue with rentals, however, is in the name itself; these players become free agents at the end of the season. Perhaps the Philadelphia Phillies would instead prefer some options which cannot simply bolt in free agency?
Another option is to be a bit more future-focused and pursue players who are contracted beyond this season. It initially sounds like the better idea, save for the fact that the team would have to consider their salary and how it would affect Philadelphia’s free agency approach. The Phillies have already been connected to pending free agent Trea Turner, one of the top shortstops on the market next season. While the Phillies certainly want to compete this year, it shouldn’t be at the risk of acquiring a talent like Turner in the offseason.
With Didi Gregorius, Corey Knebel, and Kyle Gibson (among others) set to clear over $45 million in salary at the end of the season, this may prove to be a non-issue. Regardless, it should be considered at the very least before it becomes a Chuck Fletcher-Esque excuse.
In addition to the salary, implications are the trade price implications. Trading for rentals, especially from teams out of the race, is typically a cheap endeavor. The price only goes up if a player has multiple years remaining (assuming they’re performing well). The Philadelphia Phillies are just now in a place where they have multiple notable prospects. They don’t want to bleed that well dry for a season where three of their top players are injured.
Next. Midseason grades for starting pitchers. dark
The bottom line is that there is no right or wrong answer here. It’s all relative depending on the offers that are discussed between Philadelphia and the other teams involved. If there’s a multi-year talent who is affordable both in terms of salary and trade price, then great. Otherwise, it may be worthwhile to pursue rentals first and foremost.