Philadelphia Phillies: Top 5 additions to make at the trade deadline

The Philadelphia Phillies are running out of time to make their impact trade deadline additions. So is everyone else. Things have been relatively quiet thus far, with most of the chatter being hypothetical deals each team could make for Juan Soto.

The Phillies don’t have much need for Soto. Less so, they have the pieces to acquire the superstar outfielder.

What do the Phillies need most? Let’s call it a starting pitcher, a bullpen piece, and a bat that comes with a decent enough glove. In these final days leading up to the August 2 trade deadline, this is how the trade candidates for the Phillies are ranked.

5) Philadelphia Phillies trade deadline power ranking: Brandon Drury

Brandon Drury is very much available from the Cincinnati Reds, and someone, the Phillies, should strive hard to acquire. He’s having a career year with some awesome power and run production. A third baseman this year with the Reds, he can also play just about anywhere else you ask him to. He could be a nice upgrade at third base over Alec Bohm.

4) Philadelphia Phillies trade deadline power ranking: Ian Happ

Much like Drury, Ian Happ can play in a lot of places. He is more of a left fielder but has also played the other two outfield positions and even all over the infield. He’d be someone the Phillies could use at second or third base. He might even be a poorly fitting center fielder. What we should like about him is how flexible Rob Thomson can be with him in the lineup. He’ll cost more than Drury because of his recent history and year of control after 2022.

3) Philadelphia Phillies trade deadline power ranking: Andrew Chafin

Jose Alvarado doesn’t slice it as one of the lefties out of the bullpen. Philadelphia might be able to trust the current guys they have to close games. It hasn’t worked out so poorly. Nevertheless, Andrew Chafin should be on their radar. The veteran southpaw reliever is having another good year and might have the best mustache in baseball. He could be one of the more desirable lefty relievers out there, so act quickly.

2) Philadelphia Phillies trade deadline power ranking: Michael A. Taylor

As much as some fans would like to see them land Andrew Benintendi, it doesn’t feel so realistic nor the best option for them. Benintendi’s teammate, Michael A. Taylor, would be the better player for Philadelphia to target. He’s cheaper, has a year extra of control, and is a Gold Glove center fielder. With the savings they get trading for him, the front office would have no problem pivoting and making a different addition, too.

1)  Philadelphia Phillies trade deadline power ranking: Luis Castillo/Frankie Montas

Take your pick. The two best pitchers available at the trade deadline are Luis Castillo and Frankie Montas. Either one would work fine in Philly. Outrageously expensive to the point where their current teams might just keep them and then try trading them again in the offseason, we shouldn’t expect the Phillies to successfully land either without a ridiculous overpay.

But a starting pitcher does remain the top need for the Philadelphia Phillies. Zach Eflin has too many health questions. If it’s not one of these two, Dave Dombrowski might have to hope someone like Jose Quintana or Chad Kuhl, or even Noah Syndergaard can be better than they have this year.